The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the rise of authoritarianism

Thursday 12 February 2026
6.30pm - 8pm
In-person public event (Old Theatre, Old Building)

In this book launch event, Paul Dixon will present his new book, The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism (Edinburgh University Press, 2025) followed by a panel discussion about the key questions.

Dixon explores how senior military leaders, not just politicians, played a decisive role in driving Britain into the Iraq and Afghan wars; arguing that the pursuit of war and the further militarisation of British democracy since 9/11 has made the nation particularly prone to military aggression. 

Meet our speaker

Professor Paul Dixon teaches at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Leicester. His publications include Performing the Northern Ireland Peace Process (2018) and editing The British Approach to Counterinsurgency: From Malaya and Northern Ireland to Iraq and Afghanistan (2012).

Discussants

Antonia Lucia Dawes is a Lecturer in Social Justice at King's College London and works on racism, militarism and cultural theory. Her most recent co-authored book is England’s Military Heartland (2025).

Sir Simon Jenkins is a journalist and author. He writes weekly for the Guardian and elsewhere. 

Tom Stevenson is a foreign correspondent and contributing editor at the London Review of Books. He has reported from Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey, Iraq, Mexico, and Ukraine, among others. 

Chair

Professor Toby Dodge is Professor of International Relations at LSE. 

This public event is free and open to all. No ticket or pre-registration is required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

For any queries email ir.events@lse.ac.uk.

Find out more about the event and speakers

Europe in a post-liberal world
Conversation with Pedro Serrano, the EU Ambassador to the UK

Co hosted with the European Institute and the European Foreign Policy Unit

Wednesday 18 February 2026
6pm - 7.30pm
In-person public event (Malaysia Auditorium, Lower Ground Floor, Centre Building, LSE)

Join Pedro Serrano, the European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom, at this event to discuss Europe in a post-liberal world.

Today, the founding principles of the international liberal order – the rule of law, democracy, free trade, and collective security – are being challenged in a world where military force, zero-sum competition, and the weaponisation of interdependence increasingly define international relations.

Meet our speaker

Pedro Serrano is the European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Discussants

Federica Bicchi is Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of International Relations at LSE. Her current research focuses on contemporary trends in European diplomacy, especially in relation to the digitalisation of diplomacy and developments in European foreign policy cooperation. 

Spyros Economides is Associate Professor in International Relations. His current research concentrates on: the ‘West’ in contemporary international relations; the external relations and security policies of the EU; Europeanisation and foreign policy, and the EU’s relationship with the Western Balkans.

Chair

Karen E Smith is Professor of International Relations Theory in the Department of International Relations at LSE. 

This public event is free and open to all. No ticket or pre-registration is required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

For any queries email ir.events@lse.ac.uk.

Find out more about the event and speakers

The politics of world heritage: visions, custodians, and futures of humanity

Wednesday 4 March 2026
6.30pm - 8pm
In-person and online public event (Malaysia Auditorium, Centre Building)

In this book launch, Elif Kalaycioglu, will present her new book, The Politics of World Heritage: Visions, Custodians, and Futures of Humanity, followed by a discussion and Q&A.

The book examines the permutations of a global cultural history of humanity that has emerged through decades of World Heritage politics. Within this history, Dr Kalaycioglu excavates the exclusions, hierarchies and contradictions that challenge UNESCO's mandate of fostering global peace and solidarity; and offers an internal critique of UNESCO's "nested constructions of humanity".

Meet our speakers and chair

Elif Kalaycioglu is Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama’s Department of Political Science. 

Alvina Hoffmann is a Lecturer in Diplomatic Studies at SOAS University of London. 

Sinja Graf is Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at LSE. 

This public event is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required.

In-person: You can request one ticket via the online ticket request form, which will be open after 12noon on Monday 9 February. The ticket line will stay open until all tickets have been allocated.

Online: Registration will open in early January.

Find out more and register

If you have a query see our Events FAQ or email events@lse.ac.uk.

Report Launch: Strengthening the Representation of Women in Diplomacy: Lessons from the Field

Thursday 05 March 2026
6.30pm to 8.00pm
Room: MAR.1.04 and online

Hosted by LSE IDEAS and the Department of International Relations

Following the publication of the ‘Women in Diplomacy’ (WiD) inaugural report in June 2024, the WiD team has convened a series of workshops and consultations, internationally, with women diplomats and practitioners to reflect on the findings and deepen understanding of the core barriers and enablers to women’s representation in diplomacy and foreign policy.

The insights gathered from these conversations now inform the second edition of the report, which integrates lived experience with policy-relevant analysis and offers concrete, evidence-based guidance for advancing gender equality in international affairs.

This launch event will present key findings from the report and bring together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to reflect on lessons from the field and discuss pathways for change. The event offers an opportunity to engage in an open, informed discussion on strengthening women’s representation and leadership in diplomacy.

Speakers

Karen E Smith is Professor of International Relations at LSE. Her main research interests lie in the fields of foreign policy analysis and the study of international organisations. She has recently published on feminist foreign policy, the role of women in diplomacy and foreign policy-making, the European Union’s diplomacy at the United Nations, and the role of groups in UN multilateralism.

Marta Kozielska is the co-founder and manager of the Women in Diplomacy Project . Marta also manages the LSE IDEAS Alumni Network.

This public event is free and open to all but pre-registration is required.

Find out more and register for the event

For any queries email ideas.events@lse.ac.uk.