The Conflict Tipping Podcast

Ubuntu in practice with Bryony Vince [Ep. 30]

Exploring Indigenous Approaches to Peacebuilding: The Idea of Ubuntu
In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May interviews Bryony Vince, a PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield in the UK and an advocate for context-specific indigenous approaches to peace-building. Bryony talks about her PhD focus on Ubuntu, a South African worldview that underscores interconnectedness and mutual dependence, as a tool for peace-building in South Africa. She discusses the challenges and nuances in implementing Ubuntu on the ground and its misinterpretations or misuse by governments and NGOs. In addition, Bryony shares her personal experiences in conducting field work, and her hopes for future research focusing on participatory methods, dialogue, and public space in peace-building.
0:00 Introduction00:56 Why Ubuntu? Why this subject?04:00 Why is this topic important to you?05:06 What is Ubuntu?09:05 The link between Ubuntu and peace-building12:10 Bry speaks IsiXhosa13:35 Back to peace-building and Ubuntu16:42 Do you practice Ubuntu?19:00 What's participatory research?20:58 Ubuntu as a peace 'tool'?26:31 Ubuntu post-Apartheid and structural conflict29:40 The favourite thing you learnt?31:39 Who's doing the unpaid care work? Who is peace building?36:26 What surprised you?39:57 What's next?41:47 How can people find you?
 
Links:
Twitter: @bryvince
Academic blog
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonyvince/
University profile

Conflict prevention math with Neli Kirilova [Ep. 29]

Power Perception and Conflict Prevention in the Black Sea Region: A Conversation with Neli Kirilova
In this episode of 'Conflict Tipping Podcast', host Laura May speaks with Neli Kirilova, a researcher focused on power perception and conflict prevention in the Black Sea Region. Kirilova discusses why the Black Sea region is a nexus for conflict, largely due to cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. She also delves into how foreign policy strategies can signal triggers for potential conflicts and effectively prevent escalation. The conversation then turns to discussing the importance of psychology and therapy in leadership.
Contents:
The Black Sea region and conflict
Influence and the six elements of power
Conflict prevention by formula
Applying conflict prevention
Refocusing on the constructive
What's next for Neli?
Neli's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neli-kirilova

Supporting mental health in conflict with Dr Nawaraj Upadhaya [Ep. 28]

Strengthening Mental Health in Conflict Zones: A Conversation with Dr. Nawaraj Upadhaya
In this episode of the Conflict Tipping Podcast, host Laura May interviews Dr. Nawaraj Upadhaya, Global Mental Health Director at HealthRight International. Dr. Upadhaya shares about his experience developing and implementing a WHO-associated Self-Help Plus intervention in Uganda and Sudan, targeting individuals dealing with mild to moderate stress. The intervention uses techniques based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness and is delivered by lay health workers who need only a week's training. Dr. Upadhaya further elaborates on the intersection of mental health and conflict, the ethical dilemmas faced when working in conflict zones, and the need to care for frontline workers. He discusses how his personal background and experiences inform his work. Dr. Upadhaya's approach aims to empower individuals in difficult situations to find resilience and make positive changes in their lives.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation01:16 Understanding the Self-Help Plus Intervention04:29 The Impact of the Intervention on Participants07:25 The Power of Resilience in Conflict Zones08:25 The Process of Implementing the Intervention14:22 The Future of the Intervention28:52 The Role of Mental Health in Conflict31:57 Ethical Considerations in Conflict Work34:17 Caring for the Carers: Staff Wellbeing35:27 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Dr Nawaraj Upadhaya, PhD, is a public health researcher and mental health system specialist. He is currently working as Global Mental Health Director at HealthRight International, New York, USA where he provides strategic and technical support in mental health and psychosocial support programming. Dr Upadhaya is also associated with the Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark as Associate Researcher.
He has over 18 years’ experience in community health, mental health and public health systems. He has experiences of working in humanitarian settings in Afghanistan, Burundi, Nepal, Uganda and South Sudan. He has also supported the programmes in Kenya, Vietnam, Ukraine and the USA. He co-directed the scaling up grant on Self Help Plus (SH+) in Uganda and also coordinated the Nepal program for a large multicountry consortium project called Emerging Mental Health Systems in Low- and- Middle Income Countries (EMERALD). He also coordinated the Post Research Ethics Analysis (PREA) project in Afghanistan, Nepal and South Sudan.
Dr Upadhaya’s work focuses on community mobilisation, community system strengthening, mental health systems, community mental health and policy engagement. He has published more than 30 papers in international journals and contributed in book chapters and manuals.
https://healthright.org/profile/nawaraj-upadhaya-phd-msc/

Nonviolence and Unarmed Civilian Protection with Dr Louise Ridden [Ep. 27]

In the latest episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast from Mediate.com, meet Dr Louise Ridden, a specialist in nonviolence and Unarmed Civilian Protection.  We talk about:
What is Unarmed Civilian Protection?  Where is it used?
How does UCP 'happen' in conflicts?
What is the role for mediation and mediators in UCP?
False binaries in war and peace
The role of peace-keeping and UCP in violent conflicts
Spaces, bodies, and time in conflict
About Louise:
Louise Ridden is a postdoctoral research fellow working on the sustainable security practices project , hosted by the Politics Unit in the Department of Management and Business and Tampere Peach Research Institute (TAPRI). She holds a PhD from Aberystwyth University, UK, where she was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Her thesis 'Making alternative worlds: Unarmed civilian protection and nonviolent imaginaries of conflict' studied nonviolence as a way of knowing, doing, and being in armed conflict through the practice of unarmed civilian protection. 
Her current research interests include: principles and practices of unarmed civilian protection, the politics of nonviolence, Feminist IR theory, existentialist theory, knowledge production, and the intersection of nonviolence and political narrations of embodiment, space, and temporality. 
 
Connect with Louise:
Twitter: @louise_ridden
Faculty page: https://www.tuni.fi/en/louise-ridden

Protecting people over tech platforms with Anne Ikiara of Digital Action [Ep. 26]

In this episode, Laura engages in a riveting conversation with Anne Ikiara, the Executive Director of the nonprofit Digital Action.  She has a remarkable background directing social enterprises in Global Majority countries and is known as an author, poet, speaker, gender consultant, and social advocate.
We talk about:
Lived Experience of Disinformation and Violence: Anne shares her personal connection to the impacts of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech during the 2007 elections in Kenya, where violence ensued. This experience inspired her to join Digital Action and make a global impact on protecting democracy from digital threats.
Understanding Disinformation and Violence in Elections: We delve into the factors that lead to disinformation and violence in elections, particularly in Kenya, where ethnic divides play a significant role. Anne sheds light on how misinformation and hate speech are propagated online and offline, contributing to social conflicts.
Digital Action's Mission and Initiatives: Anne outlines the role of Digital Action, a nonprofit organization focused on holding tech giants accountable for safeguarding democracy from digital threats. She explains the disparities between investment in Global Majority and Global Minority countries and how Digital Action seeks to bridge that gap.
Challenges and Strategies in Tech Justice: Anne discusses the challenges presented by the ever-evolving social media landscape and the fragmentation of platforms. She elaborates on how Digital Action's coalition is working to ensure that tech companies invest in safeguarding democracy across the globe, not just in certain regions.
Global Campaign for Tech Justice and Protecting Elections: Discover Digital Action's campaign for 2024 to make it the Year of Democracy and Safe Elections. Anne emphasizes the importance of partnering with various organizations to raise awareness about digital harm during elections and compel tech companies to address these issues.
The Power of Context-Specific Safeguards: Anne stresses the significance of context-specific content moderation and safeguards in addressing digital harm. She discusses how tech companies should collaborate with local organizations, governments, and civil society to ensure effective protection.
Anne as an Author and Poet: Learn about Anne's creative side as an author and poet. She shares her passion for writing about justice, equity, human rights, and women's rights. Her forthcoming book sheds light on the nonprofit sector's inequalities for people of color.
Personal Responsibility in Combating Disinformation: Anne provides practical advice for individuals to combat disinformation and hate speech. She emphasizes the importance of verifying information before sharing it and encourages spreading positive messages that promote democracy and human rights.
Don't miss this informative and thought-provoking episode with Anne Ikiara as we explore the complexities of digital threats, democracy, and the power of collective action.
 
Connect with Anne and Digital Action:
https://digitalaction.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-ikiara-4543265/
https://anneikiara.com/

Queering the Colombian conflict with Dr Samuel Ritholtz [Ep. 25]

Hear from Dr. Samuel Ritholtz, a Max Weber fellow at the European University Institute and specialist in queer experiences of conflict, crisis, and displacement, as they talk about their research into anti-LGBT violence during Colombia's civil war. We explore the violence's impact on LGBT communities, the dynamics of paramilitaries, and the concept of queer peacebuilding. Let's dive in!
In this episode, we discuss:
The logic behind anti-LGBT violence by paramilitaries during Colombia's civil war.
Paramilitaries' history, including their connection to narco-trafficking and role in the conflict.
The concept of queer peacebuilding and its relevance in post-conflict settings.
The ontology of cruelty in civil war and the perception of different forms of violence.
Thanks to Sam for offering their insights into the intersection of conflict, violence, and queer experiences.  Connect with them here:
Samuel.RITHOLTZ@eui.eu
https://www.samuelritholtz.com/
https://twitter.com/SamRitholtz/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sritholtz/

Getting enough sleep and time travelling with Dr Patricia Cernadas Curotto [Ep. 24]

Laura May is joined by Dr. Patricia Cernadas Curotto, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Geneva interested in compassion, conflict resolution, inter-group relations, and emotions. Laura attempts to convince Patricia to add kite surfing to her interests as they dive into Patricia's research:
💑 How sleep deprivation affects even "perfect" relationships.
🧐 The connection between basic needs like sleep and handling conflicts.
⏰ Time travel: Pro-social behavior and projecting into the future.
🤗 How compassion-based meditation can assist with conflict resolution.
👥 Patricia's research on compassion towards disliked individuals and its challenges.
Connect with Patricia:
Patricia's university profile: https://www.unige.ch/fapse/e3lab/members1/post-docs/patricia-cernadas-curotto/
Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-cernadas-curotto-a41415152/
 
About Laura:
Laura is a former Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute and a negotiation and mediation lecturer.  Her doctoral research asked “in what ways does blame make villains in politics” and covered the gamut from literature studies and linguistics to psychology and neuroscience, victimology to political science.  Her expertise includes emotions, polarization, blame, and international politics.  Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn or ResearchGate—or even both!

When political parties polarise, with Dr Morgan Le Corre Juratic [Ep. 23]

Welcome to the Conflict Tipping podcast from Mediate.com, where we explore social conflict and what to do about it. In this episode, we explore the effects of party polarization on electoral participation with Dr. Morgan Le Corre Juratic, a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University in Denmark. She recently completed her PhD at the European University Institute, focusing on party competition, political behavior, and support for democracy. Get ready to uncover the fascinating insights from her doctoral research and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of polarization on democratic processes.
We discuss:
Party polarization: Examining the rise of extreme parties and its impact on party competition.
Motivating turnout: How polarization can influence people's motivation to participate in elections.
Clarifying political alternatives: Understanding how polarization makes party positions more distinct and aids voter decision-making.
Emotions and indifference: Exploring the emotional responses triggered by party polarization, including fear, anxiety, and indifference towards all parties.
Implications for democracy: Discussing the potential consequences of increased indifference and declining trust in the political system.
Join us on the Conflict Tipping podcast as we delve into these intriguing topics with Dr. Juratic and uncover the intricate relationship between party polarization, emotions, and electoral participation.
 
Where to learn more:
Morgan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/morganlcj
Her website: https://www.morganlecorrejuratic.com/

Empathy across political divides with Luiza Almeida Santos [Ep. 22]

In this episode, learn about Stanford PhD candidate Luiza Almeida Santos' research into fostering empathy across political divides.  Listen if you are interested in learning more about:
What empathy is (and is not)
How empathy helps us - and 'them'
Building common ground
Carrying out conversations across divides
 
About Luiza:
Luiza is a psychology Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University, studying how political conflicts develop, and how to minimize their most corrosive aspects. Originally from Brazil, Luiza examines how political beliefs become moral convictions, how to reduce empathic failures across group divides, how to foster more productive cross-partisan conversations, and how to improve support for democratic principles.
Luiza's website is luiza-santos.com, and her Twitter handle is @luiza_a_santos.  You may be interested in reading her already-published paper:
Santos, L., Voelkel, J. Willer, R., & Zaki, J. (2022) Belief in the Utility of Cross-Partisan Empathy Reduces Partisan Animosity and Facilitates Persuasion. Psychological Science (view)
 
Her supervisor Dr Jamil Zaki's book, referenced in the episode, is "The War for Kindness".
 
About the host:Laura is a facilitator, people and culture director, and former Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute.  Her doctoral research asked “in what ways does blame make villains in politics” and covered the gamut from literature studies and linguistics to psychology and neuroscience, victimology to political science.  Her expertise includes emotions, polarization, blame, and international politics.  Feel free to connect with her on  LinkedIn or ResearchGate—or even both!

The Rise of the Masses with Dr Benjamin Abrams [Ep. 21]

In this episode, meet Dr Benjamin Abrams, who has just released his brand-new book about mass mobilisations called "The Rise of the Masses".  Listen if you are interested in:
Why mass mobilisations such as protests happen
The Black Lives Uprising, Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, or even the French Revolution
The emotions of protest
How physical space can support mass mobilisations
Ben's admiration for guillotines
Buy the book at theRiseoftheMasses.com.
 
About Dr Abrams:
Benjamin Abrams is Lecturer in Sociology and Leverhulme Fellow at University College London. Alongside the study of mobilization, Benjamin also works on revolutions, resistance and contentious politics broadly considered. His approach to these topics focuses on exploratory macro-causal comparisons and case studies, designed to generate new, durable theoretical insights. Much of his work fuses these macro-level techniques with in-depth investigative within-case methods, with a specialism in the analysis of ethnographic interviews and archival sources.
In addition to authoring The Rise of the Masses, Benjamin's second book is called Symbolic Objects in Contentious Politics. Written in collaboration with Peter R. Gardner and bringing together an international and interdisciplinary community of scholars, the book was published open access by the University of Michigan Press in 2023.
Benjamin is also Chief Editor (with Giovanni A. Travaglino) of Contention: The Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Protest.
More information about Benjamin's scholarly work can be found on his faculty page at UCL. He tweets at @bdmabrams.
 
About the host:Laura is a facilitator, people and culture director, and former Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute.  Her doctoral research asked “in what ways does blame make villains in politics” and covered the gamut from literature studies and linguistics to psychology and neuroscience, victimology to political science.  Her expertise includes emotions, polarization, blame, and international politics.  Feel free to connect with her on  LinkedIn or ResearchGate—or even both!