Challenging Gender Norms in War
Join us for an engaging roundtable seminar organised by the Centre of Excellence in Defence, Risk and Resilience (CEDRR) and the Advancement of Equality, Gender & Inclusion Studies (AEGIS) exploring how gender norms shape experiences of war, military service, violence, and conflict.
Through expert presentations, breakout discussions, and audience Q&A, participants will examine changing masculinities, women's roles in contemporary warfare, and the complex dynamics of victimhood and perpetration in conflict settings.
Moderator
- Peter Lee - Professor of Applied Ethics, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth
Panelists
- Dr. Paulius Balsys – Postdoctoral Researcher and Military Sociologist, Vytautas Magnus University
- Dr. Dina de Sousa e Santos – Senior Teaching Fellow in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth
- Sixtus Onyekwere – PhD Candidate in International Development, specialising in violence against women and girls (VAWG) in conflict and displacement settings, University of Portsmouth
Topics to be covered
- Ethical perspectives on women and war in the "Just War tradition"
- Changing masculinities and military service: perspectives on universal conscription
- Victims, perpetrators, and gendered experiences of conflict
The seminar will include panel presentations, interactive breakout group discussions, and a Q&A session.
Date and Time
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Venue
room LE1.03, Milldam Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 3AS
Refreshments
Complimentary refreshments will be provided during the event.
Tickets:
Admission is free, but places are limited. Advance registration is required, and attendees must reserve a ticket to secure their place.
We welcome colleagues, researchers, students, practitioners, and members of research centres interested in gender, ethics, security, war studies, criminology, international development, and conflict studies.