On 28-30 October 2026 PRIO will host the PhD-level course Culture, Conflict and Politics: Introduction to interpretive theory and methodology.

See more below and on the webpage: https://www.peaceconflictresearch.org/courses/79

If this is of interest, apply by 4 May 2026.

Do you want to know more about cultural aspects of violent conflict and peaceful coexistence? How can we research ideas and practices related to cultures of peace or cultures of violence? How do artists use theatre, poetry or visual arts in their struggles for social justice? Why do opposition groups use religious rituals to delegitimize authoritarian leaders? In this research course we explore the importance of language, history, memory, beliefs and creative expressions for political dynamics and contestations. Culture, Conflict and Politics is a course where we explore both the application and theoretical foundations of interpretive research, the science of understanding, non-essentialist approaches to culture and cocreational research practices.

The course is organized partly as an interactive seminar and partly as a research design workshop. We introduce and discuss a variety of interrelated topics, such as the use of culture in politics and violent conflict; religion, beliefs and political contestations. Culture Conflict and Politics is a PhD level research course. Preference will be given to applicants who are currently registered for a PhD or have concrete plans for pursuing a PhD.

The conference will be held on 10-12 June 2026 (online & in-person) at the Department of East European Studies, Faculty of Arts.

The conference explores a wide range of questions across the humanities and social sciences - history, sociology, linguistics, anthropology, law, political science, literary studies, gender studies, and area studies - in the context of a transforming public sphere, bringing together PhD candidates and selected master’s students. By creating a shared space for critical reflection, the conference aims to inspire new methodological and analytical approaches capable of addressing the contemporary challenges these fields face.

The main research areas are:

• Patriotism and National-Patriotic Version of History;
• The Ideologisation of History and Myth-Making;
• National Identity and the Politics of Belonging;
• Visual Culture and the Representational Forms of Memory;
• Post-Truth and Mechanisms of Disinformation;
• Minorities, Indigenous Studies and Transcultural Memory;
• New Perspectives on Gender and Gender Inequality;
• Media Discourse and Algorithmic Visibility;
• Decolonisation of History and the Transformation of Knowledge Frameworks.

Selected papers will be considered for publication in a collective monograph that will be prepared on the basis of the conference’s outcomes, bringing together the most significant contributions and advancing ongoing scholarly discussions in the field.

To submit an abstract (max. 300 words) please complete the online form on the http://choosingthepast.conference2026.tilda.ws or via email choosingthepast.conference2026@gmail.com no later than 10 May 2026.

For more information see this webpage: http://choosingthepast.conference2026.tilda.ws

There is no participation fee.