Lawrence of Arabia and Britain’s War in the Desert, 1916-1918

Lawrence of Arabia and Britain’s War in the Desert, 1916-1918

To mark the centenary of the capture of Aqaba, Dr Rob Johnson and Dr John Peaty brought together some colleagues and friends to discuss Lawrence and Britain’s desert war at Pembroke College, Oxford. The speakers were John Peaty, Dr Neil Faulkner, Gp Capt John Alexander, Maj Dr Paul Knight and Dr Rob Johnson. The event was part funded by the Oxford Changing Character of War Centre and the Society for Army Historical Research.

Upcoming Event: Veteran Dialogue & the Future of War

This event is a two-day, panel-based workshop, devoted to the two themes of veteran/civilian dialogue and the future of warfare. The purpose of this workshop is to engage a broad audience of civilians, military personnel, academics and non-academics alike and encourage them to think more deeply about their moral relationship to these important and timely themes. The veteran dialogue portion of the workshop will focus on such broad themes as: soldier recruitment and the making of soldiers, the ethical experience of war, what we think society owes to veterans, veteran healthcare and compensation, moral injury, PTSD, spouse and family issues, and civil-military relations. The future of war portion of the workshop will focus on such broad themes as: emerging technologies such as fully autonomous weapons, soldier enhancement, surveillance and meta-data; counter-terrorism and institutional reform, the ‘individualization’ of war, war and poverty, and emerging conceptual frameworks for military tactics and strategy.      

There is no charge for this event, but please note that lunch is not provided. It would be helpful for planning if you could register via our Eventbrite page.

See the schedule here. 

NATO Intra-Alliance Diplomacy after 2014

CCW is delighted to announce a new research project on NATO Intra-Alliance Diplomacy after 2014 , generously supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. This comparative research project will examine the political goals and diplomatic tactics of the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Romania in relation to NATO’s emerging deterrence posture vis-a-vis Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 Crimea annexation. In particular, it will look at the process leading to the decisions taken at the 2016 Warsaw Summit to support an Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States and Poland as well as to increase the NATO presence in the Black Sea.

Director of Research on Russia & Northern European Defence & Security

The Changing Character of War Programme is pleased to announce that Dr Andrew Monaghan has been appointed as the Director of Research on Russia and Northern European Defence and Security. He will be responsible for the academic direction of research on Russia undertaken under the Programme’s auspices whilst also pursuing his own research in one of the core disciplines of the Programme.

Call for Applications to the CCW Executive Leadership Course 

 

A brochure for the leadership course is available here. The timetable for the week can also be viewed here. The application form can be downloaded here. 

This intensive one-week executive leadership course running from the 26th to 30th June 2017 will equip participants with a critical understanding of the changing character of armed conflict as well as the conceptual and practical tools necessary to anticipate and tackle future conflict. The course takes an interdisciplinary, participatory approach and combines academic rigour with innovative practical thinking. It is critical for current and future leaders involved in policy-formulation, practice or research related to security, defence and peacebuilding. 

Dr Rob Johnson receives the Trench Gascoigne Prize from the Royal United Services Institute

On 12th December Dr Rob Johnson, Senior Research Fellow at Pembroke and Director of the Changing Character of War Programme, received first prize in the Trench Gascoigne Prize from the Royal United Services Institute. Dr Johnson was presented with the prize by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. This annual essay prize has existed since 1874, and recognises original writing on contemporary issues of national and international defence and security.

Part-time Programme Assistant - Graduate Internship Opportunity

Pembroke College of the University of Oxford is looking for a part-time (50%) graduate intern to provide support to its Changing Character of War Research Programme (CCW). This varied role provides an excellent opportunity for a proactive, enthusiastic individual to gain experience of a successful, policy-relevant research programme based in one of the most dynamic and forward-looking of the Oxford Colleges. For full details of the role, please refer to the full job description and particulars on the Pembroke website.

The post is available immediately, for 12 months in the first instance. However, there is the possibility of renewal after 12 months. Candidates who would prefer a contract which runs until the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year would also be considered. 

Applicants must hold the right to work in the UK.

A CV and covering letter, explaining why you think you would be suitable for the role, should be submitted to Jane Richmond by 5pm, Monday 9th January.

OUSSG to welcome Major General Ahmad Mahmood Hayat, Director General for Analysis for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency

OUSSG is excited to welcome our first speaker for 6th week, Major General Ahmad Mahmood Hayat, Director General for Analysis for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Maj Gen Hayat will be speaking in the Pichette Auditorium at Pembroke College on Tuesday November 15th at 6:00pm. This will be a free event.