Academics from King's College London and The Open University have collaborated with a Philippines cartoon collective, Pitik Bulag to demonstrate world issues through the power of illustration.
Dr Victoria Hudson and Dr Natasha Kuhrt from the Department of War Studies teamed up with the workshop organisers, Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody and Dr Paul-François Tremlett from the Open University to organise the competition.
The competition shows how research on global challenges can be communicated via cartoons.
We were delighted to receive over 100 high-quality applications from artists and academics hailing from across the globe. The five winning academic-artist pairings are already at work developing a collaborative cartoon expressing the researchers' insights on diverse, contemporary and emotive themes such as the militarisation of children in Russia, the migration crisis, disinformation in the Philippines, Rastafarian responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the political agency of girls in the Global North and South.
Dr Victoria Hudson
The winning designs will be revealed at the British International Studies Association conference in Birmingham's Hyatt Hotel in the city's Centenary Square from 5 - 7 June. Six cartoons, selected from submissions that encapsulate years of research on global challenges will be showcased.
This initiative has the capacity to change the way we think about the global challenges of the day, and how we can work together to address them.
Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at the Open University
Pitik Bulag, established in 2019 is known for using cartoons to promote truth, freedom of expression, and democracy. Collaborating with #FactsFirstPH, an initiative combating disinformation in the Philippines. Pitik Bulag's work reflects a commitment to confronting societal issues through art.
The exhibition will also feature at the Foundling Museum in London from 20 - 22 June, the Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar over summer and the British Association for the Study of Religions Conference in Leeds from 2 -4 September.
King's has provided co-funding for the project through the School of Security Studies 'Kickstart' fund, matching contributions from the Open University and the British Association for the Study of Religions.
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Research Fellow
Senior Lecturer in International Peace & Security
