Sharing knowledge
We are keen to make our expertise in the field of history of international relations and conflict studies available to society. In various projects we collaborate with societal and governmental organisations. We welcome commissions from businesses and institutions to carry out research, and other (public) activities are also possible. For example, Utrecht-based researchers regularly give public lectures and press interviews.
Are you interested in possibilities for cooperation? Please contact Dr Joost Dankers . Below are some examples.
Ter Info - Discussing terrorism in class
From a need to talk about terrorism with school pupils in a sensible way, Prof. Beatrice de Graaf, Prof. Micha de Winter and Prof. Mariëtte de Haan, launched the Ter Info project as a contribution to the municipal action plan 'Utrecht Zijn We Samen'. Ter Info is a mobile website aimed at increasing social resistance to terrorism in primary and secondary education. The website helps teachers to discuss terrorism in a clear, factual, responsible and connecting way with students. Ter Info offers concise and balanced information and pedagogical tools to start a class discussion about this controversial topic.
Research commissioned by the European Parliamentary Research Service
This project (pdf), commissioned by European Parliamentary Research Service and conducted by Prof. Liesbeth van de Grift and Dr Koen van Zon is part of a series of historical studies examining the emergence of new policy areas in the European Economic Community in the 1970s, with a focus on the influential part played by the European Parliament. It focuses specifically on the evolution of consumer policy, highlighting current consumer protection in the EU single market as the result of political struggles. It examines E-numbers, food safety scandals and women leaders in the European Parliament, and highlights the debate on market power between producers and consumers. This debate, which revolves around innovation and the precautionary principle, remains topical.
Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme
The Intimacy of Remote Warfare (IRW) programme examines the evolution of Western warfare in the 21st century, focusing on the reduction of ‘boots on the ground’ and the increasing use of air strikes and local partners. It examines the impact on civilians and the implications for war policy. Led by Dr Lauren Gould, Linde Arentze and Prof. Jolle Demmers, IRW promotes knowledge sharing and policy making through various channels, including a website, academic publications and events.
After the Strike Project
The 'After the Strike' project investigates the effects of a Dutch coalition airstrike in Hawija, Iraq. The report will be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit against the Dutch state. IRW and partners initiated a Transparency Roadmap process with the Dutch Ministry of Defence, resulting in new policies for monitoring and making transparent civilian casualties in military operations. In 2023, Dr Lauren Gould and Linde Arentze were commissioned by the Dutch government to research 20 years of Dutch and NATO interventionism at the NIOD Institute. Gould also co-founded Realities of Algorithmic Warfare (RAW), which examines the impact of algorithms on modern warfare, focusing on the risks to civilians and democratic principles.
Judicial Responses to Mass Violence
Since 2022, heightened public interest in judicial responses to mass violence, spurred by Ukraine's invasion and events post-October 7, 2023, in Israel and Palestine. Dr Iva Vukušić, a historian and genocide scholar, consulted by media globally on judicial proceedings, notably International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court cases. She also engages with policymakers and evaluates the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's support for war crimes investigations in Ukraine.
Researching Reparations – Lessons from the Past, Challenges for the Future
Addressing societal recovery after widespread violence involves negotiating reparations, integral to post-conflict and post-genocidal processes. Dr Lorena De Vita’s research delves into past reparations negotiations, shedding light on contemporary debates. She shares insights through media interviews (in Dutch), publications, and public roundtables, fostering dialogue on historical legacies and future implications.
Mapping Memory Diplomacy
Understanding diplomacy's role is crucial historically and presently. Dr Lorena De Vita's research explores diplomacy's connection to memory politics. For the BBC World Service, she traced diplomatic history from ancient India to the Cold War, often overlooked. She analyzed diplomatic decisions in The Washington Post and The Conversation, emphasizing the importance of historical context.
Legacy of the Brexit Taskforce of The Netherlands
Shortly after the Brexit referendum in June 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up an inter-ministerial ad hoc task force, led by Dr Marloes Beers and research team Laura van der Knaap and Anna König. In-depth interviews with members of the task force offer insights into Dutch Brexit policy and European cooperation. The findings were discussed at the ‘Negotiating Brexit’ event and are freely available for research. The Brexit knowledge clip offers more information on this.
Economic sanctions, a course
Economic sanctions are increasingly favored by governments and international bodies to address global political and security challenges. Despite their portrayal as peaceful governance tools, comprehensive sanctions can be as devastating as conventional warfare, causing severe suffering for affected populations. To mitigate the impact on the humanitarian sector, Mohammad Kanfash of Conflict Studies, in collaboration with KUNO, organised practical sessions on sanctions and their impact on humanitarian actors in Syria. Participants, including representatives from EU institutions, the UN, international and local NGOs and experts, explore challenges, bottlenecks and possible solutions for humanitarian practices in Syria.
Sharing Knowledge – The Lausanne Project
Dr Ozan Ozavci is co-founder and leader of The Lausanne Project (TLP), a platform that brings together scholars from different disciplines to share their research with the public through blog posts, podcasts and exhibitions in Ypres, Belgium and Lausanne, Switzerland. TLP published a French-language comic called ‘De la lumière a l'ombre’ and is developing teaching packages to counter one-sided, nationalistic narratives in Greek and Turkish education.
Conflict in Israel and Palestine
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023, Dr Peter Malcontent's expertise on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and international reactions to it has been in high demand in the Dutch media. Peter Malcontent has provided various media with explanations, commentaries and collaborated on educational projects, including a Massive Open Online Course and a book on the conflict. Malcontent also advises the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their human rights policy.