Tell us about the Identity Hunters project
Lucas: As a student led blog, we focus on identifying and analysing whenever identity is politicised by nationalist politics. The point is to try and find where nationalists use identity and how they use it. Our goal is to make those instances known by making these stories available and amenable by the public through our blog. So, such discussions are a bit less academic and a lot more fun.
While we primarily work on blog posts, we also engage through video essays and podcasts. We try to keep it light with the objective of helping people understand the nuances of identity and politics without delving too deep into academia.
What role can play a project like this in discussing the nuances of identity amid the Israel-Hamas or Russia-Ukraine wars?
Lucas: Our project does play an important role in explaining how nationalist power holders think, and how they act as a result of their views. With an open mind, we analyse, deconstruct, and acknowledge the nuances of identity in such sensitive cases. Being respectful while narrating these instances is at the core of our functioning.
In November, we posted an article which analysed Russian nationalism in the context of the Ukrainian invasion. It explored why Putin thinks the way he does, and how his beliefs explain his actions towards Ukraine. It doesn’t justify it, but only tries to understand underlying thoughts on nationalist identity and how power holders such as Putin act and conduct politics in alignment with their beliefs on identity.
Putin views Ukraine as a “little brother” who is ethnically Russian. So, in essence, he believes that he is only helping the Ukrainians trace their roots. Since Ukraine used to be a part of the Soviet Union, it’s construed to be Russian in some sense. So, the narrative that Russia is only helping Ukraine by bringing it under the Russian fold links identity to ethnicity, and also, geography.
There are several students writing on the Israel-Hamas conflict as well. It’s very much a conflict of identity- the idea that “If we don't destroy the other, the other will destroy us.” It’s all about the land, the identity drawn out of that land, and how it must be protected.
What inspired you to join this project?
Lucas: The project is part of one of my modules, but as far as my role as an Editor in Chief is concerned, I was inspired to take it up after I attended the book launch of ‘Global Nationalism’ by Dr Michelsen and Dr De Orellana. I realised that I have an interest in analysing identity and nationalism, and that is exactly what I will be exploring in my dissertation that is due next year. I want to focus on how French far right politics influence the European union, its policies and norms, and how their discourse changes.
How can students be involved on this project?
Lucas: Every student from the module has to be a part of this project; it’s a part of our final grade. While most articles are authored by third-year International Relations students, the blog is not limited to those enrolled in the module. Anyone can send us an email with their entry. Submissions are open to anyone exploring identity and nationalism, providing pieces in an accessible writing style; not as essays. Then, we will review and publish if they are deemed interesting, relevant, and, of course, respectful. However, membership in the editorial team requires enrolment in the module.
What are some of the most interesting blog posts the project has published?
Lucas: All the posts we published are great and original in their own way. What is interesting is that since identity is politicised everywhere, there’s diversity in the kind of articles we publish. Our website features several fun, niche posts. For instance, there is one that explores how Brazilian jiu jitsu played a part in in Brazilian nationalism. We have an another one that analyses identity in anime and manga in Japan.
Currently, I’m working on one by examining poems from the French countryside, like Normandy. I’ll be assessing how such poetry was used to strengthen regionalism in the fight against the French state.
Does the project have any plans to move beyond blogging?
Lucas: For the moment, we are only focused on blogging. However, in the next term, we are deliberating on organising events. We want to do something more original than panel discussions and keynote speeches. I’m still thinking about the possibilities with my fellow co-editors-in-chief.
We are considering cocktail events to discuss articles we have posted and to gauge how people outside the module and the War Studies Department would like to participate more.
I’ll keep looking at the response on our social media, and in the next term, I’m hopeful that these plans will work out.
Visit the Identity Hunters website here.