The British Council, in partnership with the British International Studies Association (BISA), launched the New Voices in Cultural Relations – a competition aimed at recognizing exceptional Master’s dissertations that contribute new scholarly insights or propose innovative policy directions in the field of international relations.

The judging panel was chaired by Professor Kyle Grayson (Chair of BISA and Newcastle University) and included Dr. Nancy Annan (Coventry University), Dr. Yoav Galai (Royal Holloway, University of London) and Dr. Victoria Hudson (King’s College London). 

Joe Murphy – who graduated from Leeds Beckett University with an MA in International Relations – received a special commendation for his dissertation 'Coloniality, neo-orientalism, culture, and death: why it is time to move away from the ‘war on terror’.

Joe critically examines and challenges the dominant narrative of the West’s ‘War on Terror’ as framed through the concept of ‘new terrorism’ and the portrayal of an omnipresent radical Islamic threat. This dissertation finds that there is a need to move away from the West’s narrative of a ‘War on Terror’ as it is not inclusive of the discourses which it purposely subjugates. 

The judging panel commented: 

The dissertation provides a compelling critique of the 'war on terror', uncovering Western Orientalist discourse and expressing rightful frustration at its impacts. It reveals the dark side of self and other dynamics and how these connect to violence. It delivers a strong argument with impactful potential. 

Citation

Murphy, J. (2024). Coloniality, neo-orientalism, culture, and death: why it is time to move away from the ‘war on terror’ narrative. British Council. doi.org/10.57884/P1ZC-EZ57