Description

War is raging across multiple regions of the world, accompanied by the resurgence of aggressive colonial and imperialist narratives and practices. Scholars—particularly anthropologists and social scientists, and not always those working on war and conflict—are increasingly called upon to publicly comment or intervene. Yet, in an environment of political pressure, contested information, and polarised public discourse, it is unclear not only what scholars can say, but how, why, and for whom their perspectives matter. This roundtable invites an open discussion on the role of scholarly voice in times of war and the moral responsibilities scholars, and particularly anthropologists, hold toward affected communities and broader publics.

The session will explore the pressures shaping scholarly speech today, including censorship, institutional constraints, and the circulation of contested information. Our aim is to probe the limits of traditional academic dissemination, thinking collectively about how research, analysis, and debate on conflict might and should move beyond academia—not as token “outreach,” but as genuine, critical dialogue with diverse audiences.

Rather than formal presentations, the roundtable will follow a “Prompt-and-Pivot” format. The convenors will introduce short prompts—ethical dilemmas, public statements, or hypothetical scenarios inspired by real-world conflicts. Participants first offer brief reflections, then pivot to respond to a colleague’s intervention, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas. This structure encourages plurality, disagreement, and relational thinking, while avoiding rehearsed or monologic positions.

By centering mediation over presentation, the roundtable fosters an inclusive, plural debate on scholarly responsibility, public engagement, and the ethics of knowledge production in times of war.