Contemporary wars have become hashtag-wars that extend beyond the physical battlefield into global war ecologies.

Digital technologies have not only changed military operations but also enable ordinary people to participate in armed conflicts wherever they happen. Individuals participate by clicking ‘like’ on a Facebook page, sharing a tweet which comments on the war, creating a meme that mocks the adversary’s incompetence or glorifies their own party’s bravery, or donating for military or humanitarian equipment.

Such everyday acts of digital participation blur the boundaries between battlefield and private home, civilian and combatant, and war and peace.

This seminar brings together leading scholars working on the role of digital technology in warfare. They will share their perspectives on the current nature and practice of warfare, the mediatisation of conflict, and the global ecologies of the wars in Myanmar and Ukraine.

Panel:
Rhys Crilley (external link)
Reader, University of Glasgow

Matthew Ford (external link)
Associate Professor, Swedish Defence University

Stein Tønnesson (external link)
Director, Toda Peace Institute

Eva Johais (external link)
Senior Researcher, CMI