Creative Methods in Military Studies

This edited volume explores how creativity and creative practice can shed new light on critical military research, challenging traditional concepts and methodologies. Authors from diverse disciplinary fields use theatre, model-making, songwriting, dance, spoken word, and paper making to question military research and explore topics such as militarism, military experience, and militarized cultures. The book offers tools for researchers to think anew about big questions in the field.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Creative methods offer a unique perspective on military power and militarized cultures, challenging traditional approaches and opening up new avenues for understanding. This edited volume brings together a diverse range of authors from various disciplinary fields who employ creative practices such as theatre, model-making, songwriting, dance, spoken word, and paper making to explore the complexities of military research.

Through twelve empirically and conceptually rich chapters, the authors challenge the boundaries of traditional military studies and explore new ways of understanding militarism, military experience, and militarized cultures. They employ diverse methodologies to question what military research can and should look like, challenging assumptions and pushing the field forward.

The book addresses topics of central concern in military studies, including militarism, military experience, and militarized cultures, as well as practical questions around ethics, positionality, and research relationships. It delves into the complexities of creativity in critical military research, exploring what constitutes creative inquiry and offering practical tools for researchers to think anew about big questions in the field.

By employing creative methods, military studies can gain a deeper understanding of the human experiences and social dynamics associated with military power and militarized cultures. This approach fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a more nuanced understanding of complex issues, enabling researchers to contribute to a more informed and ethical understanding of the military and its impact on society.

However, working with creative methods also presents challenges. One of the main challenges is the need to bridge the gap between academic disciplines and creative practices, as different fields have their own methodologies and language. This requires collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and a willingness to experiment and explore new approaches.

Another challenge is the ethical considerations associated with researching military subjects, particularly when dealing with sensitive or potentially harmful material. Researchers must navigate complex ethical frameworks and ensure that their work respects the rights and dignity of individuals involved in military conflicts.

Despite these challenges, the use of creative methods in military studies has the potential to revolutionize the field and contribute to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of military power and militarized cultures. By embracing creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers can break down barriers and explore new ways of understanding the complex and multifaceted world of military research.

In conclusion, creative methods offer a powerful tool for understanding military power and militarized cultures. This edited volume showcases the potential of creative practices to challenge traditional approaches, foster empathy, and contribute to a more informed and ethical understanding of the military. By embracing creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, military studies can break down barriers and explore new ways of understanding the complex and multifaceted world of military research.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538160978