Media, War and (National) Identity: The Changing Notions of the National Self in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Caucasus, and Eurasia

The workshop investigates the intersection between war, media, and (national) identity construction in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Caucasus, and Central Asia. It further explores the structural issues impacting war mediatisation (such as legal frameworks, media systems, digital media platforms and infrastructures, or algorithms).  The workshop is not only limited to national identity construction and clashes of memory and nation-building projects. It further explores the impact of wartime legislation on media landscapes and actors’ precarious positions. It assumes that identities are socially constructed on a variety of levels such as macro (state institutions and international organisations), mid-level (media outlets, nationalist movements, communities, think tanks, digital cultures), and micro actors (individuals, intellectuals, etc.). Digital technology and media communication are crucial when forming imaginaries, amplifying narratives, representing the nation or other identities (individual, professional, organisational), and shaping general informational environments.

The workshop has a regional focus trying to capture how the Russo-Ukrainian war has affected media landscapes and media representations of the nation. Thus, the workshop is multi-disciplinary and panels will host both experienced scholars and early-stage researchers (PhD Candidates & Post-Docs).

The workshop has a hybrid format (IRES Library and Zoom) and is open to the public and students. Attendees can choose to attend the whole day programme and listen to all panels OR select a country-specific panels in the following way:

·       9:15 – 12:00 Panels abouts Ukraine and Belarus

·       12:45 – 16:00 Panels about the Russian Federation

·       16:00 – 17:15 A panel with cases from Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe

The zoom link will be active only within these timeframes.

Detailed programme and list of speakers and titles will be added here in mid-March and circulated by email. Attendees can decide if they would like to join for the whole day or attend particular panels only.

Hybrid event, link for Zoom attendance: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/66630629727