22 June, 2022
Despite a rise in usage in contemporary militaries, the term "warrior" is not without its problems. It has a long history, across much of the globe, that is marked by disobedience, misconduct, and misogyny. For these reasons, its use should be avoided.
In this presentation, Dr Ankersen explores the idea of the warrior by asking the following questions:
- How are warriors represented in contemporary military and popular usage?
- Where do these representations come from?
- What do they mean?
- Why do they matter?
- What is to be done?
Following a 20-minute presentation, the audience will be encouraged to challenge and discuss with relevant questions. These will be non-partisan discussions aimed at generating thought-provoking responses allowing all parties to become better informed on security and defence.
Videos
Watch the full presentation with Q&A (01:41:40).
Watch Joe Howard's teaser episode (1:31), introducing the presentation.
About the Presenter
Dr Christopher Ankersen is a Clinical Professor of Global Affairs at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs. He leads the Global Risk Specialization as part of the MS in Global Affairs degree at CGA, teaching courses on transnational security, cybersecurity, risk and crisis, and armed forces and society.
Prior to joining NYU, Dr Christopher Ankersen worked at the United Nations from 2005 to 2017. He held a number of posts, including that of Security Advisor for the United Nations system in Thailand, as well as other appointments at the UN Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the UN Offices in Geneva and Vienna; and at the Department of Safety and Security in New York.
From 2000 to 2005, he acted as a strategy consultant to militaries, governments, and private firms in the UK and Canada. From 2002 to 2004, Dr Ankersen was Ralf Dahrendorf Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science. From 1988 to 2000, Dr Ankersen was an officer in the Canadian Forces, serving in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, including on overseas missions with the UN and NATO.
He has taught at the LSE, the London Centre for International Relations, King’s College London, Carleton University, the Royal Military College of Canada, the Harvard Extension School, the University of Victoria, and the University of Pireaus in Athens, Greece. He has lectured at staff colleges in Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the United States.
Currently Dr Ankersen is Research Fellow at the Canadian Defence Associations Institute; Senior Research Fellow at the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG), Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, Bangkok; and Honourary Fellow at the Policy Insights Forum.
Dr Ankersen’s research interests include civil military relations, strategic studies, international security, and the international relations of Asia. His most recent publications include Cyber Peace: Charting a Path Toward a Sustainable, Stable, and Secure Cyberspace (co-edited with Scott Shackelford and Frédérick Douzet. Cambridge University Press, 2022), The Future of Global Affairs: Managing Discontinuity, Disruption and Destruction (co-edited with W.P.S. Sidhu. Palgrave, 2021), and The Politics of Civil-Military Cooperation: Canada in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan (Palgrave, 2014).
Christopher Ankersen holds a BA (Hons) in International Politics and History from Royal Roads Military College (Canada) and an MSc and PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.