Trust, Empathy, and Dialogue
The DDMI’s project on ‘Trust, Empathy, and Dialogue’ began in November 2009. It developed out of Naomi Head’s research on these themes undertaken as part of her ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship on 'Conflict, Dialogue and Ethics in International Relations: From the Responsibility to Protect to a Responsibility to Discuss?’ The project hosted a workshop on ‘New Approaches to Conflict Transformation: Trust, Empathy and Dialogue’ in June 2010 which saw the launch of a network of multidisciplinary scholars and practitioners working in these areas. The thematic concerns of both the workshop and the larger project are oriented towards understanding their impact on conflict transformation. The role that these concepts play in identify formation, security dilemma dynamics, understanding individual and community needs and interests, representations of gender and security, and decision-making processes, mean that they should be at the heart of research on conflict transformation.
The aim of the project is to (1) explore both theoretically and empirically the relational aspects of trust, empathy, and dialogue; (2) examine their potential to drive change within conflict environments by drawing on a range of empirical case studies; (3) explore the potential for further multidisciplinary research on these areas and understand the particular challenges posed by applying them to international politics; (4) explore how these concepts might serve as analytical tools and normative guides to action in international politics.
Documents from the Workshop, "New Approaches to Conflict Transformation: Trust, Empathy and Dialogue"
The workshop took place on 23-24 June in the Main Hall of the International Politics Building, Aberystwyth University. The rapporteur's report and some of the handouts, PowerPoint presentations and audio clips from the workshop are available for download below:
- Dr Naomi Head (Aberystwyth University)
- Professor Lynne Cameron (Open University)
- Samuel Passow (University of Kent)
- Dr Gabrielle Lynch (University of Leeds)
- Paul Ingram (British American Security Information Council)
- Dr Naomi Head (Aberystwyth University)
Like DDMI Associate Professor Nicholas J. Wheeler (see his 'trust-building in nuclear worlds' page on this website), Professor Cameron is also a holder of an ESRC 'Global Uncertainties' Fellowship. More information about her 'living with uncertainties' project can be found on the Open University website.
If you are interested in joining the 'Trust, Empathy, and Dialogue' network to receive further information on current projects or to contribute to the network, then please email Dr Head at naomi.head@glasgow.ac.uk.