IDD, University of Birmingham: August news
New publications
- Petra Alderman published a book, “Branding Authoritarian Nations: Political Legitimation and Strategic National Myths in Military-Ruled Thailand”, Routledge. The book offers a novel approach to the study of nation branding as a strategy for political legitimation in authoritarian regimes using the example of military-ruled Thailand.
- Jonathan Fisher (with Elena Gadjanova and Jamie Hitchen) published, “WhatsApp and political communication in West Africa: Accounting for differences in parties’ organization and message discipline online”, Party Politics (Online First, Open Access).
- Emeka Njoku (with Isaac Dery) published, “Gendering Counter-Terrorism: Kunya and the Silencing of Male Victims of CRSV in Northeastern Nigeria”, African Studies Review.
- Kate Pruce, David Hudson and Claire Mcloughlin (with J.O. Gusmão, Leticia Brancher, Carolina Carvoeiras Do Nascimento Pires, Rui Noronha, David Noano Ximenes and Levilito Da Ressureição Das Neves Baptista) published, “This is our right’: Social protection and fairness in Timor-Leste” (online soon).
- Bizuneh Yimenu published as essay ‘Federalism, Peace, and Democracy in Africa’, Democracy in Africa.
Blogs and media commentaries
- Petra Alderman wrote a piece for the Australian Institute of International Affair, “Thailand’s Prospects for Democracy Blocked by the Junta-Appointed Senate”.
- Maurice Beseng (with Gordon Crawford) wrote a blog for The Conversation, “Cameroon’s anglophone conflict has lasted for six years: what citizens say about how to end it”.
- Niheer Dasandi (with Neil Mitchell) wrote a blog for the Journal of Politics,“War Crimes, Punishment, and the Public”.
Podcasts and Roundtables
The recently established Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) launched a new podcast series called People, Power, Politics!
The series brings the latest insights into the factors shaping – and re-shaping – our political world by talking to leading thinkers from across the globe. Listen to the inaugural episode “Is democracy in trouble?” featuring IDD and CEDAR’s Prof Nic Cheeseman (guest) and Dr Petra Alderman (host), and subscribe to the series on your favourite podcast streaming platform.
If you would like to speak on the podcast, please contact [email protected]
The Roundtable discussion featured at CEDAR’s launch, “Is democratic backsliding really happening, and if so what impact has this had on human rights and development?”, is also now available to watch online.
Other project news and media contributions
- Petra Alderman was interviewed by the Associate Press News for the article “Thai Parliament blocks leader of party that won election from being renominated for prime minister”.
- Ellen Bomasang, IDD PGR, organized a Global Dialogue titled “Authentic, Transformative Leadership in Global Development” for Women Deliver 2023, and a gender cafe titled “Engaging Men in GBV Prevention” for the Society of Gender Professionals.
- IDD alumnus Burak Yazar (MSc International Development, 2016) has been shortlisted for the prestigious British Council’s “Study UK Alumni Awards”.
Kailing Xie:
- presented her new book project, “Sex with Chinese Characteristics : Sexuality research in/on 21st century China” at the Beijing Normal University.
- presented her research article, “The Partner, the Parents, the Nation – The Negotiation of Chineseness in Discourse on ‘Love’ in Contemporary China” at the bi-annual International Sociological Association Conference, Melbourne.
- was interviewed by Rest of World on ‘parent matchmaking apps in China’
PGR news
IDD PhD researchers at the annual School of Government PGR conference participated in a roundtable discussion on impact and engagement beyond academia (Mia Hyun, Pamela Jabbar, Mayumi Fuchi and Krisna Puji Rahmayanti) and also presented a range of exciting papers on their thesis projects:
- “The Economic Participation of Disabled Women in Urban Kenya: An Intersectional Approach” (Avita Soor);
- “How do formal and informal institutions mediate the capabilities of disabled Ethiopians confronted by extreme droughts and floods?” (Paul Rogers);
- “Climate change experiences and adaptation strategies of smallholder women farmers in Uganda” (Flavia Amayo);
- “2018 West Nusa Tenggara Province Earthquake in Indonesia” (Krisna Puji Rahmayanti);
- “Power dynamics, multi-level governance arrangements, and public health emergency responses in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from West Africa” (Matt Mirecki);
- “‘Knowledge’ and ‘Peace’: A Poststructuralist Analysis of the Conceptualisation and Operationalisation of Peacebuilding” (Rhiannon Warwick).