Political Scientists Jelena Belic and Tom Theuns Receive NWO XS Grants
Dr. Jelena Belic and Dr. Tom Theuns have each been awarded XS grants from the NWO to develop innovative lines of research. Dr. Belic’s project examines distinctive ways in which the deployment of digital technologies interferes with freedom, while Dr. Theuns explores the ideological tensions between Cold War military strategy and utopian projects of international education. These grants support curiosity-driven, innovative research of ideas that hold great promise, showcasing the diverse work being carried out at the Institute of Political Science.
Are We Subjected to Digital Coercion?
Dr. Jelena Belic
As digital technologies increasingly penetrate various spheres of our lives, the pressure to use them keeps growing. Such pressure reveals an intricate connection between technology and power. In academic and public debates the connection has been examined in relation to surveillance, manipulation and discrimination. By focusing on hidden ways in which the deployment of digital technologies affects what we want and how we live, these approaches overlook that private actors who control digital technologies also determine what we can or cannot do. The project develops a theory of digital coercion that helps us understand and evaluate such interference with freedom.
Educating for Peace, Preparing for War: the political theory of ‘liberal Atlanticism’
Dr. Tom Theuns
This research project challenges conventional understandings of Cold War diplomacy by uncovering a largely overlooked dimension: the intersection of military strategy and international education. Key figures like Lester B. Pearson and Lord Mountbatten, known for their roles in NATO and peacekeeping, also played a crucial part in creating educational initiatives aimed at shaping future world leaders and fostering peace. By integrating newly released Mountbatten diaries, this study aims to redefine Cold War liberalism, exposing the ideological tensions between military alliances and liberal social efforts. If successful, this project will reshape scholarly debates on the ideological face of postwar international relations.
About the NWO
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is the leading funding organization for scientific research in the Netherlands. It supports a wide range of disciplines, from the humanities to natural sciences, by financing innovative projects and fostering collaboration between researchers. The XS grants, part of NWO’s Open Competition, are specifically designed to support pioneering ideas in their early stages, giving researchers the opportunity to explore novel concepts and push the boundaries of their fields.