Afterlives of Empire: Thinking Forward Through an Imperial Past
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: History
Abstract
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Organisations
- University of Exeter (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) (Collaboration)
- Paris West University Nanterre La Défense (Collaboration)
- University of Sheffield (Collaboration)
- Leibniz Association (Collaboration)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (Collaboration)
- Save the Children (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Andrew Thompson (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Thomas M
(2013)
Empire and Globalisation: from 'High Imperialism' to Decolonisation
in The International History Review
Thompson A
(2015)
Humanitarian principles put to the test: Challenges to humanitarian action during decolonization
in International Review of the Red Cross
Thompson A
(2017)
"Restoring hope where all hope was lost": Nelson Mandela, the ICRC and the protection of political detainees in apartheid South Africa
in International Review of the Red Cross
| Description | Research is providing a critical historical perspective on the history of humanitarian aid, development aid and human rights that is proving to be of strong interest to several international aid agencies, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross. |
| Exploitation Route | I have published a major new book on the history of the international humanitarian system during and after decolonisation with Oxford University Press. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Description | Findings on humanitarianism and INGOs have been used by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the British Red Cross Society, and the Kenya Red Cross Society. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Other |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | DFID talk: History and the Ebola Crisis of 2014-2015 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | The International Center for Humanitarian Affairs Board membership. Asked to provide historical expertise for ICHA/Kenya Red Cross board. |
| Geographic Reach | Africa |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | GHRA |
| Organisation | Leibniz Association |
| Department | Leibniz Institute of European History |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual and organisational contributions to creating and leading the Global Humanitarianism Research Academy for early career researchers, an annual 2-week programme run jointly with University of Exeter, IEG Mainz and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Academy is run alternatingly in Mainz and in Exeter. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual and organisational contributions to creating and leading the Global Humanitarianism Research Academy for early career researchers. |
| Impact | The main outcome is the Academy itself, which has so far trained 21 fellows in its 2 years of running. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | ICRC partnership |
| Organisation | International Committee of the Red Cross |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Provided academic knowledge on history of humanitarianism, and historical background of current humanitarian challenges. Also connected humanitarian practitioners with networking contacts from British universities and NGOs. Created and organised two high-level conferences on history and humanitarianism - one concerning the Fundamental Principles of the ICRC, and one examining key questions around forced displacement and how lessons from the past can help find solutions to the present crisis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Brought top experts in international development and humanitarian practitioners in discussion with academics on vital contemporary humanitarian topics. Provided support in-kind for the two conferences, including the Geneva 'Humanitriaum' venue at the ICRC's international headquarters for the first conference. ICRC also provide training for and access to the ICRC Archives in Geneva for fellows on the Global Humanitarianism Research Academy. |
| Impact | Each conference has resulted in a conference report which has been circulated to humanitarian organisations, policymakers, and academics. Disciplines involved include history, law, development studies. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Nuffield College |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A research programme in collaboration with Nuffield College, University of Oxford. The programme is led by Professor Andrew Thompson and Professor Sir Mike Aaronson (Honorary Fellow, Nuffield College). Acknowledging the crises facing the humanitarian aid sector, the programme seeks to identify the characteristics of a successful INGO in the year 2030. It is intended that the programme will culminate with a Nuffield commissioned report on the future of International NGOs. A substantial aspect of this programme is a survey of INGO leadership being conducted with support from Save the Children UK. The survey consists of interviews with CEOs of the major British-led INGos on their visions for the future of the sector and the barriers currently impeding widespread change. A second phase will seek to obtain an inter-generational perspective capturing the visions for the future of those likely to transition into leadership roles in the next 5-15 years. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Nuffield College have hosted the workshops and are working with Professor Andrew Thompson and Professor Sir Mike Aaronson to fund and recruit a postdoctoral researcher to further the academic rigour of the programme. Nuffield College have awarded funding for three-year postdoctoral researcher to support the academic research being undertaken by the programme. Dr Lia Brazil was apointed at interview in February 2021 and will start her new role on the 1st May 2021. |
| Impact | - Two workshops have taken place at Nuffield College, Oxford bringing together senior practitioners, policy makers and academics within the field of humanitarianism and the aid sector to discuss the identify the characteristics of the future successful NGO and the barriers that exist preventing change. - Since the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic, we have maintained momentum by holding quarterly workshops online. These have ensured that the programme continues to gain traction with key stakeholders and develop its visibility with membership of the group expanding. - The large-scale survey of INGOs, undertaken with support from Save the Children UK, will be a key output of the project. Initial results are expected to be published in summer 2021 with a sector-facing report. Phase 2 of the survey will take place during autumn/winter 2021 with a final report published in spring/summer 2022. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Labex Pasts in the Present programme |
| Organisation | Paris West University Nanterre La Défense |
| Department | LABEX Pasts in the Present |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Development of a network of researchers based in UK and France studying history, heritage, and memory. Arranging meeting and workshops for researchers, alternately in the UK and France. Promoting international exchange and collaboration around these topics in UK and France, and beyond. Developing and funding a joint funding call between AHRC and Labex. Invited Early Career Researchers to join the Steering Group for the Care for the Future ECR Conference in Dec 2016, which provided development and networking opportunities for ECRs in the Care for the Future and Labex Pasts in the Present programmes. Contributing to AHRC and Labex strategies of international collaboration, providing a 'structural partnership' for such as mentioned on theLabex website: http://passes-present.eu/en/labex/presentation mentions the structuring partnership for |
| Collaborator Contribution | Development of a network of researchers based in UK and France studying history, heritage, and memory. Arranging meeting and workshops for researchers, alternately in the UK and France. Promoting international exchange and collaboration around these topics in UK and France, and beyond. Developing and funding a joint funding call. |
| Impact | Outcomes of the partnership so far have been the awards of 8 jointly-funded projects with Co-Is from the UK and France, with funding contributions from AHRC and the Labex Pasts in the Present programme. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference |
| Organisation | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Professor Andrew Thompson sits on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He will present a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'. |
| Impact | This conference is scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome is to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference |
| Organisation | Save the Children |
| Department | Humanitarian Affairs Team |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Professor Andrew Thompson sits on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He will present a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'. |
| Impact | This conference is scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome is to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference |
| Organisation | University of Sheffield |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Professor Andrew Thompson sits on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He will present a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'. |
| Impact | This conference is scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome is to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | British Embassy in US seminar; Forced to Flee conference with ICRC/BRC/SOAS (academic, humanitarian, and policy audiences); ECR Conference (ECR audience, partner organisations); Lecture at Sorbonne Paris on Humanitarianism, Human Rights and Decolonisation; Global Humanitarianism Research Academy (International PhD students and early career researchers); Cambridge Global History Seminar; Manchester History Dept - on History curriculum, colonial past, and challenges of inclusion and diversity in |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The 2-day 'Forced to Flee' conference and public panel event, co-organised by AHRC Care for the Future, ICRC, the British Red Cross, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and the University of Exeter, brought together a number of experts, many of them working on the frontlines of the migration crisis. The public panel event was open to the public, and over 200 attendees were registered. the audience included policymakers, humanitarian practitioners, students, academics, and members of the public. The event was recorded and the video has been viewed over 2,000 times by people worldwide. Participants in the event have reported research collaborations and meetings with governmental departments. A report was written following the conference and is being circulated to relevant parties. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018 |
| URL | https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/forced-flee-multi-disciplinary-conference-inter... |
| Description | ECR Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Care for the Future ECR Conference was organised to give 80 Early Career Researchers across the UK and in Europe the opportunity to showcase their research and network with other ECRs and several major heritage-based partner organisations in the UK. Researchers have so far reported collaborations with National Trust, British Film Institute, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, three of the organisations in attendance. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Humanitarian Photojournalism: A History of the Present |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited to contribute to a workshop at Princeton University (October 2018) on Humanitarian Photojournalism. The purpose of the workshop was to address questions such as 'what were the connections between the rising importance of photo-reportage and the rise of global humanitarianism?' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.princeton.edu/events/2018/workshop-humanitiarian-photojournalism-history-present |
| Description | What Happened to Humanitarianism During Decolonization? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A public lecture presented at the National Chuchill Library Centre, The George Washington University, USA. Presentation of this lecture furthered an international partnership with the GW History Department. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://calendar.gwu.edu/what-happened-humanitarianism-during-decolonization |