Everyday War: Exploring Civilian Experiences of War in Ukraine

How do civilians strategically engage with conflict while seeking everyday peace? How do power dynamics and asymmetries impact the ability of civilians to strategically engage with conflict while simultaneously seeking everyday peace, and what are the implications of these dynamics for broader peace and stability in war-torn environments?

In this episode of This Anthro Life, we explore an insightful discussion with anthropologist Greta Uehling about her ethnographic research on civilians' experiences during the Ukraine conflict. Uehling introduces concepts like "everyday war" and "everyday peace" to examine how civilians strategically navigate and mitigate the effects of war through their interpersonal relationships and actions.The conversation challenges assumptions that war stops everyday life. Through stories of civilians like Alexander supporting her sniper father and "Pasha" finding community after displacement, Uehling demonstrates civilians' agency beyond preconceived notions of victimhood. She also discusses conducting ethical fieldwork in conflict zones and civilians' changing, contextual identities and relationships.

Uehling highlights lessons from Ukraine on rebuilding societies relationally after war. The discussion questions how civilians decide which connections to preserve and considers media's role in shaping perspectives. Uehling's work provides valuable insights for understanding civilians' roles below geopolitical narratives and informs further research in wartime environments.
Tune in to this episode of This Antro Life to gain nuanced, ground-level insights into civilians' experiences of war that challenge assumptions and inform more holistic approaches to conflict recovery


Key takeaways:

• Civilians play active roles in war beyond just victims, including as perpetrators, defenders, and community healers.
• Ethnographic research can provide nuanced perspectives on civilians' experiences of war that get obscured by other narratives.
• Concepts like "everyday war" and "everyday peace" show how civilians strategically engage with and seek to mitigate conflict.
• War impacts interpersonal relationships as civilians make difficult choices about which connections to preserve.
• Identities and relationships are fluid rather than fixed, changing based on one's environment and politicization.
• Zombification by restricted media shapes how civilians understand the conflict.
• Fieldwork in conflicts requires prioritizing civilians' well-being over eliciting trauma through interviews.
• Participant observation and embodied experiences can teach as much as direct questioning.
• Anthropology provides lessons for relationally rebuilding societies divided by war.
• Civilians deserve recognition as protagonists central to how wars unfold.

Timestamps:

0:04:20 - Discussion of the concept of "everyday war" and how it challenges assumptions about civilian life stopping during conflict
0:11:21 - Choosing the title "Everyday War" to examine civilian life at a deeper level
0:15:21 - Story of "eager" and how war impacted his interpersonal relationships
0:18:34 - Exploring how politics shaped whether civilians maintained connections
0:23:59 - Lessons on conducting ethical fieldwork like prioritizing anonymity
0:31:45 - Story of "Pasha" finding community support after displacement
0:36:12 - Role of "everyday peace" in mitigating conflict through preserving relationships
0:41:24 - Discussion of how war impacts interpersonal relationships
0:49:44 - Discussion of challenges of fieldwork in conflict zones
0:56:19 - Discussion of civilians as central to how wars unfold
1:00:45 - Example of collective, nature-based approaches to conflict recovery


About This Anthro Life This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, we unravel fascinating narratives and connect them to the wider context of our lives. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.

Connect with Greta Uehling
Purchase Everyday War through TAL’s Bookstore Affiliate Link to support independent bookstores, the author and the podcast!
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greta-uehling-phd-b9154a2b/
Twitter: https://x.com/uehlingumiched1?s=20
Website: https://gretauehling.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greta.uehling/

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