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). 

Jessica Russell – who graduated from the University of Bath with an MA in International Relations and Affairs – received a special commendation for her dissertation 'Navigating the chemical weapons taboo: Russia’s response to the OPCW investigations in Syria, 2013–2022’.

In this essay Jessica Russell explores Russia’s strategic information campaign in response to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) investigations into chemical weapons (CW) use in Syria. Her analysis argues that Russia's response is influenced by the CW taboo and its normative effects on foreign policy behaviour.  Jessica analyses statements posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to construct her argument. 

The judging panel commented: 

This dissertation presents a clear, coherent, well researched, and well-structured account of Russia’s response to investigations into the use of chemical weapons in Syria. In doing so, it advances valid and important arguments about the role of information warfare in the global system. 

Citation

Russell, J. (2024). Navigating the chemical weapons taboo: Russia’s response to the OPCW investigations in Syria, 2013–2022.  British Council. doi.org/10.57884/T2FY-6927