The Impact of Diaspora Communities: Before, During, And After Conflict 

Given the current events unfolding in the East of Europe, a roundtable about the role of diaspora is timely and has a potential to significantly contribute to academic debate. The roundtable will include presentations and discussion from scholars coming from different fields of study and expertise in various diaspora communities and conflicts.

The research seminar will engage with and bring experts on identity based conflicts, from different fields of study, to assess the following questions: What role do diaspora communities play in conflicts? Can and do they increase chances of conflict eruption? Do they influence decision making before and during conflict? Can they prolong conflict or contribute to its quicker termination? What are some of their motivations for operation during these different conflict phases and how are they different from the interests of those more directly involved? We will develop a conversation about the importance of understanding the role diaspora communities play in conflicts, and our potential ability, or lack thereof, to compare the contributions diasporas make to conflict resolution across cases.

Our speakers are: 

Prof Maria Koinova, University of Warwick

Dr. Andreea Udrea, Glasgow University 

Dr. Ioana Emy Matesan, Weslyan University 

Dr. Ronit Berger Hobson, Queen's University, Belfast 

Dr. Shane Brighton, Queen's University, Belfast 

Dr. Jonathan Harris, Kings College, London

Prof Erin Kristin Jenne, Central European University 

Dr. Beata Huszka, ELTE University Budapest

Nassim Abi Ghanem, Central European University