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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

Events

11th Mar

Why China Has Not Caught Up Yet: The Case of Stealth Jet Fighters

Thursday 11 March 2021, 6:00pm to 7:30pm

18th Mar

Louis IX and the Triumphal Cross of Constantine, with Professor Cecilia Gaposchkin

Thursday 18 March 2021, 6:00pm to 7:30pm

More Events

Latest News

The War & Diplomacy Podcast Series, Politics, Ethics, History, presented by the Centre for War and Diplomacy. Now available: The War and Diplomacy Podcast, with interviews and discussions from leading scholars on the subjects of warfare, ethics, history and diplomacy. Find us on Anchor: anchor.fm/cwdlancaster

Latest CWD Podcast Published: 'Women in war and diplomacy in thirteenth-century Europe: The evidence of royal letters': with Dr Anaïs Waag

The Centre for War and Diplomacy at Lancaster University publishes the seventh edition in its podcast series.

Dr Anaïs Waag discusses 'Women in war and diplomacy in thirteenth-century Europe: The evidence of royal letters', with the CWD's Dr Sophie Ambler.

Lancaster historian discusses history of parliament with Leader of the House of Commons

Dr Sophie Ambler, from the Department of History and CWD, is in conversation with the Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg MP in his podcast ‘Why Parliament Works’, which explores some of the less understood aspects of the UK’s parliamentary democracy and how our constitution delivers for voters.

Latest CWD Podcast Published: Discussions with Professor Mark Bradley: The Vietnam War, human rights, and the Global South

In the latest CWD Podcast, Professor Mark Bradley discusses the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese Perspective, human rights, and the Global South with CWD Director Dr Marco Wyss.

CWD. Lancaster University. The War and Diplomacy Podcast Series. Politics - Ethics - History. Presented by the Centre for War and Diplomacy

Latest CWD Podcast published - Diplomacy and War in the Middle East with Simon Collis CMG

In this episode, Simon Collis CMG interviewed by the CWD's Nic Coombs, discusses his experiences in the Middle East as former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and Qatar.

Latest CWD Podcast Published - The Pilgrims Society and British-US relationships 1895-1945 with Dr Stephen Bowman

The Centre for War and Diplomacy's fourth podcast features Dr Stephen Bowman in discussion with the CWD's Dr Tom Mills. The Pilgrims Society was an elite dining club which developed an important role in the broader political relationship between the US and Britain in the first half of the twentieth century

More News