Strife

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Announcement

Strife announces Strife Policy Papers (SPP)

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Have you discovered information that could not only help fill gaps in scholarly literature but which might also be of value to policymakers?

Are you concerned that the conventions of traditional academic publishing might constrain your abilities to generate specific kinds of impact on contemporary policy debates?

Are you looking for a venue to present your knowledge and perspectives in a manner that is more explicitly policy prescriptive than most academic publishing outlets tend to allow?

The management team at Strife recognizes the norms of academic publishing can be restrictive. This is particularly the case when it comes to accommodating scholars’ interests in publishing research outputs that are tailored to contribute to current deliberations in policymaking spheres, such as by highlighting issues not identified in legislative research initiatives that, if exposed in a policy paper, could enhance the persuasiveness of calls for new policies. Rather than just acknowledge this is a frustrating fact of life for many academic researchers, in 2022, the management team at Strife decided to do something about it.

About Strife Policy Papers

This month, we’ve launched Strife Policy Papers (SPP) as a third pillar in the mix of works published by Strife. SPP’s founding editor, then-Strife Blog Managing Editor Michael S. Smith II, envisages SPP as a vehicle for allowing graduate and postgraduate researchers, as well as university faculty members who are not affiliated with think tanks to more actively engage in policy-making deliberations.

As we move into the 2022-2023 academic year, Michael S. Smith II will oversee Strife Policy Papers as a new third pillar within Strife’s publishing scheme of Strife Journal, Strife Blog, and now including Strife Policy Papers.

Learn more about Strife Policy Papers and how to submit here on our website.

 

Strife BLUF 2022 Competition: Is World War III Inevitable?

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Military Parade on Red Square in 2016. Photo Credit: Kremlin.

The Putin regime’s invasion of Ukraine has fueled speculation that military conflict between Russia and NATO-member states is in the cards and that it could lead to World War III. What do you think? Publish your best guess with Strife for a chance to win £150.

Strife Blog Managing Editor Michael S. Smith II is inviting graduate and postgraduate students and faculty in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London to participate in an anticipatory analysis competition that will consider the implications of the situation in Ukraine for global security.* This competition is intended to help familiarize participants with the challenging work of developing intelligence estimates. Participants will play the role of intelligence analysts from governments of their choice. In this role, participants have been tasked with developing intelligence estimates for presentation to policymakers who are interested in understanding the broader implications of the conflict in Ukraine for global security.

Participants are encouraged to utilize a bottom line up front (BLUF) style (present your conclusion first, including probability assessment(s), followed by a discussion of relevant indicators, etc. in subsequent paragraphs). For example, an opening might read:

The implications of conflict in Ukraine for security in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2022

Both Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric suggest that the Putin regime is willing to risk triggering a broader conflict. While it is assessed with moderate confidence that military conflict will occur between Russia and NATO-member states, it is assessed the likelihood of this resulting in a more expanded conflict that would resemble a third World War and involve a Russian military invasion of BiH and proximate aspirant NATO-member states is remote. However, it is assessed with moderate confidence that Putin will encourage his allies in the Western Balkans to attempt to trigger a conflict here in BiH, viewing a period where NATO-member states are focused on countering his offensive in Ukraine as an opportune time to foment instability in Western Balkans that can further fuel immigration into Western Europe. Thereby, creating yet more economic costs for NATO-member states and conditions that are very likely to exacerbate domestic tensions linked to polarized political environments in several Western European nations whose governments are major donors to stability projects in BiH.

Estimates will be published at Strife Blog as received. They will be judged—with the benefit of hindsight—by the management team at Strife in January 2023. The assessment that delivers the most prescient and incisive analysis of potential future developments linked to the situation in Ukraine during 2022 wins.

Submission window:  March 15-June 15, 2022

Award issue date:  January 31, 2023

Winner takes all!

Submit your estimate via email to blog@strifeblog.org.

The competition award has been donated by Mr. Smith.

Strife Call for Papers: 2022 Series

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Strife is pleased to announce the opening of our Call for Papers for 7 series planned for 2022.  All submissions are due by 25 January 2022.

Note:  This deadline has been extended from the original 17 January 2022.

Strife publishes articles on the theme of conflict, broadly defined. Submissions may include studies of conflict in history, art and media, of the relationship between war and state, of the interrelation of war and society, analyses of strategy, operations and military tactics, diplomacy and international relations, as well as more narrowly defined subjects. There is no restriction as to period or geographical focus.

2022 Series Topics

  • Survival of the War Economy:  In war-to-peace transformations, the resilience of the war economy — whether licit or illicit — poses a stark challenge for peacebuilders and recovery-oriented practitioners, especially where such ‘ economies of violence ’ prove lucrative for few at the expense of many. This series is looking to publish on the challenges war economies pose for post-conflict recovery and may include case studies at any stage of conflict or conflict recovery.
  • Arctic Maritime Security: This series is looking to publish on a range of topics and perspectives related to maritime security in the arctic. There is no restriction as to a specific approach, nor is there a requirement to include a broader regional perspective. Articles can focus on a single theme related to Arctic maritime security like a specific country within the region, or the impact of new technology. 
  • Legal Violence & Legitimacy Building in the United States: This Series is looking to publish on legal strategies employed by nation states engaging in political violence & repression during the late 20th & early 21st centuries, specifically the United States. 
  • International Organisations and War in the 21st Century: This series is looking to publish on the roles of international organisations in ongoing contemporary conflicts. The UN, EU, NATO, OSCE, and the African Union, among many others, have been involved in a variety of ways, ranging from development aid to direct military intervention. 
  • United Kingdom Arms Trade: This Series is looking to publish in a range of topics and perspectives related to the UK Arms Trade, specifically within the context of sales to countries with inconsistent human rights records. There is no restriction as to period or perspective, articles can focus on a specific case study or a wider geopolitical context.
  • Colonial Legacies and the shaping of political institutions in Greater Southeast Asia: from decolonisation to modern-day: This Series is looking to publish a range of topics and perspectives related to conflict and atrocity prevention in sub-Saharan Africa today. Articles should focus on issues of conflict and atrocity occurring in or after the 2010s. Articles can focus on a single theme related to the topic, like a specific country within the region. There is no requirement to include a broader regional perspective. 
  • Modern conflict and atrocity prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa: This Series is looking to publish a range of topics and perspectives related to conflict and atrocity prevention in sub-Saharan Africa today. Articles should focus on issues of conflict and atrocity occurring in or after the 2010s. Articles can focus on a single theme related to the topic, like a specific country within the region. There is no requirement to include a broader regional perspective. 

All submissions can be sent via email to:  seriescoordinator@strifeblog.org.  Submissions must follow our submission guidelines.

See our full call graphics with additional details at the bottom of this post or download our full call pack as a PDF at this link.

Strife Journal: First round of Call for Papers for December 2021

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Strife is pleased to announce the opening of the first round of Call for Papers for 2022, with a deadline for all papers of 11 December 2021. We intend to publish Issue 17 in early February 2022.

Strife publishes articles on the theme of conflict, broadly defined. Submissions may include studies of conflict in history, art, and media, of the relationship between war and state, of the interrelation of war and society, analyses of strategy, operations and military tactics, diplomacy and international relations, as well as more narrowly defined subjects. There is no restriction as to period or geographical focus.

Strife Journal – Call for Papers

Articles should be between 4000–6000 words and include an abstract of 100 words. Submitted articles must meet the outlined submission guidelines. Articles that do not meet referencing and formatting guidelines risk being rejected for publication.

Book reviews should be between 800-1000 words, including a short descriptive summary of the book but primarily be focused on a critical analysis of the publication.  Books chosen for book reviews should have been published within the past two years.

Please email submissions to journal.submissions@strifeblog.org.

Communications positions available at Strife

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This academic year, we are seeking several communications positions at Strife, including a leader for our Communications Team – which guides all of our communications, social media, and web strategies.

Strife has a significant audience of academics and students globally. Our communications team has grown over the years to ensure that the great content developed by our contributors and edited by our editorial team is marketed broadly around the world.

To apply, review the role descriptions below and submit an application using the links below. Be sure to select all roles for which you may be interested so that our Executive Committee has a full understanding of which roles you would like to be considered for.

Questions can be directed to apply@strifeblog.org.

Communications Manager

The Strife Operations Team seeks a pro-active Communications Manager to join our busy operations team. The Communications Manager is responsible for the promotion and publication strategies of our dual publication. Managing a small team and working with the managing board the Communications Manager designs and operationalises our communications strategy including, social media, strategic partnerships, event and publication promotion. We are looking for a candidate with experience in strategic communications ideally within publishing or a relevant academic field.  The Communications Manager will ideally be a graduate/post-graduate student.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Web Manager

The Web Manager will be responsible for managing the hosting, design, infrastructure, and search engine optimization of Strife’s websites and content management system. Duties will include general administration of Strife’s websites, content management system, designs and themes, technical hosting infrastructure, search engine optimization efforts, and information security efforts.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Web Officer

The Web Officer will be responsible for working with the Web Manager in supporting the hosting, design, infrastructure, and search engine optimization of Strife’s websites and content management system.

This role is intended for someone willing to learn more about the WordPress content management system and some basic web hosting administration over the course of an academic year. A technical background is not a requirement.  The Web Manager will work closely with this role in terms of technical training and coaching for the WordPress system used by Strife.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Publications Officer

We seek a highly organised individual with a strong interest in publishing to serve as Publications Officer on the Strife communications team.  The Publications Officer is responsible for managing the posting of articles and other content to the Strife blog. The role requires close coordination between the Strife blog management team and Strife’s communications team to ensure articles are posted on-time and accurately.  The candidate should be experienced in communicating clearly and effectively, have experience in time management and/or project management, and be interested in publishing, marketing, and/or communications.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Social Media Co-Ordinator

The Social Media Co-ordinator manages Strife’s social media presence on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. They work closely with the Communications Manager, Editor in Chief, and both Managing Editors to ensure that Strife’s content and programmes are adequately promoted and marketed. They make take on additional communications tasks as well.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE