News

New Article: Tacit engagement in humanitarian action: making sense of silence and secrecy in humanitarian negotiations

30.01.2025 -

 

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Our professor Kristina Roepstorff along with Ayse Bala Akal and Kristoffer Lidén have published their latest research article in Journal of International Humanitarian Action https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-024-00161-w

 

In this paper they conceptualize Secrecy and Silence -regarding the compromises and trade-offs made by frontline humanitarians- as forms of “tacit engagement” and they relate them to political theory on secrecy and silence.

 

 

 

Abstract of the Paper

Secrecy and silence regarding the compromises and trade-offs made by frontline humanitarians in order to achieve access, protection, efficiency and legitimacy are a widely observable but underconceptualized phenomenon in humanitarian action. As a form of “tacit engagement”, it allows humanitarian practitioners to operate in difficult settings but also implies lacking accountability, coordination and learning. There is thus a need for disentangling the productive and restraining effects of secrecy in this field. In this paper, we do so by conceptualizing these practices as forms of “tacit engagement” and relating them to political theory on secrecy and silence. Drawing on insights from expert consultations and qualitative interviews on humanitarian negotiations, we relate it to existing literatures on remote management, risk management and a culture of silence in humanitarian organizations more generally and humanitarian negotiations more specifically. In the conclusion, we work out the potentially productive and destructive effects of tacit engagement as an invitation to ethical assessment.

 

Get access to the paper from here

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New Publication: No Relief from War: The Use of Humour in Memes by the Government of Ukraine and the limitation of laughter

09.01.2025 -

Prof. Dr. Alexander Spencer, Mariam Ochkhikidze & Jan Günter Wessel have just published their latest research in International Journal of Media and Cultural Politics, Vol. 20, No. 1 (2025)

 The title is No Relief from War: The Use of Humour in Memes by the Government of Ukraine and the limitation of laughter

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New Article: “Russian Warship, Go fuck yourself”. Romantic Narratives of the Hero in the War in Ukraine

09.01.2025 -

 

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Prof. Dr. Alexander Spencer, Gabriela Pancheva, Amri Azis Ardhelas & Andrea Torresagaton Gil have published their latest research article in British Journal of Politics and International Relations https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481241303258 

 

In this paper they explore the romantic construction of the ‘heroes’ that defend a righteous cause against a more powerful and unjust enemy often serves as a means to legitimise political narratives and violent actions. They take Ukraine as a case study. 

 

Abstract of the Paper

 

Secrecy and silence regarding the compromises and trade-offs made by frontline humanitarians in order to achieve access, protection, efficiency and legitimacy are a widely observable but underconceptualized phenomenon in humanitarian action. As a form of “tacit engagement”, it allows humanitarian practitioners to operate in difficult settings but also implies lacking accountability, coordination and learning. There is thus a need for disentangling the productive and restraining effects of secrecy in this field. In this paper, we do so by conceptualizing these practices as forms of “tacit engagement” and relating them to political theory on secrecy and silence. Drawing on insights from expert consultations and qualitative interviews on humanitarian negotiations, we relate it to existing literatures on remote management, risk management and a culture of silence in humanitarian organizations more generally and humanitarian negotiations more specifically. In the conclusion, we work out the potentially productive and destructive effects of tacit engagement as an invitation to ethical assessment.

 

Get access to the paper from here

more ...

New Publication: From resistance to legitimation: The changing role of humour in politics

09.01.2025 -

Prof. Dr. Alexander Spencer and Daniel Beck have just published their latest research in Sage Journal: Alternatives: Global, Local, Political.

 The title is From resistance to legitimation: The changing role of humour in politics

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Last Modification: 30.01.2025 - Contact Person: Webmaster