Centre for War and Diplomacy

Confronting today's challenges through the study of the past

About

The Centre for War and Diplomacy provides the historical context and strategic analysis to inform understanding of today's geopolitical challenges. Based in the Department of History at Lancaster University, it promotes discussion across disciplines through research, teaching, consultancy and public events.

About

People

The CWD brings together colleagues from a variety of disciplines – from History to the Digital Humanities, Politics, English Literature and the Creative Arts – and welcomes non-resident and visiting fellows from across the world. It also supports a flourishing postgraduate community.

People

Research

The CWD investigates war and diplomatic relations between states past and present, from defence policy and the transformation of armed forces, to diplomatic actors and the role of ideas in diplomacy, the relationship between conflict and heritage, and post-colonial security.

Research

MA International and Military History

From the rise and fall of great powers to the treatment of non-combatants, from diplomacy and peace-making to strategy and doctrine, and from wars of propaganda to weaponry and intelligence, explore the major themes of international and military history from the ancient world to today.

International and Military History MA

War & Diplomacy Podcast

The War & Diplomacy Podcast features interviews with leading researchers and practitioners, with topics ranging from the evidence for women’s roles in diplomacy – from the thirteenth-century to the twentieth – to the Cold War in Africa and European Security in the twenty-first century. The Podcast is available on all major platforms.

War & Diplomacy Podcast

Partnerships

Based in the historic north-west of England and embracing a global perspective, the CWD works with partners regionally, nationally and internationally to develop innovative research, teaching and discussion in the fields of historical and contemporary conflict and relations between states.

Partnerships

The Merriman Essay Prize

The Merriman Prize (named in honour of Lancaster’s Dr Marcus Merriman) is awarded for an outstanding undergraduate essay on any topic in the fields of international and/or military history from the ancient world to the present day. Offered by the Department of History in partnership with the Centre for War and Diplomacy at Lancaster University, it is open to current undergraduates at any UK or overseas university.

Merriman Essay Prize

Events

26th May

The Falklands War at 40: Voices of the Conflict

Thursday 26 May 2022, 3:30pm to 5:00pm

More Events

Latest News

Collage of the US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand flags

CWD Member Philip Pedley Awarded PhD

We are delighted to announce that CWD member, Philip Pedley, has been awarded his PhD. Philip’s thesis is entitled ‘The Anglosphere Core as a Pluralistic Security Community’.

A picture of soldiers during the Angolan Civil War

CWD 2022 Merriman Essay Prize

The CWD is delighted to offer the 2022 Merriman Essay Prize.

A ship with containers on it of various colours.

Basil Germond on The Limits of Traditional Naval Power, commissioned by E-IR

CWD Member and Lancaster University Lecturer, Basil Germond discusses (via E-IR) the maritime dimension of the Ukraine war.

Three Soldiers in action during the civil war. Two of the soldiers face left while the soldier in the middle faces the camera. All three soldiers are crouched but the middle soldier is lower than the two others.

'The Will to Fight': new article by Dr Spyros Tsoutsoumpis on the experience of national army soldiers during the Greek Civil War, 1946-1949

Lancaster University Associate Lecturer and CWD member, Dr Spyros Tsoutsoumpis has published an article on the experience of national army soldiers during the Greek Civil War, 1946-1949 in the International Journal of Military History and Historiography.