Battle of memes in Russia’s war on Ukraine

29.03.2023 12:15 - 13:15English

What is memetic warfare and how is it used?

The war on Ukraine is not only fought on the ground—cyberspace has become an important battlefield for winning ‘heart and minds’.

In the context of armed conflict, memes turn from innocent and funny images into propagandic devices. The use of memes has for over a decade become an effective instrument of war, for example as employed by ISIS.

In Russia’s war on Ukraine, internet warriors on both sides have taken the propaganda war to social media platforms like Twitter to win the narrative.

Against that backdrop, this panel will explore memetic warfare and how is it used.

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Event info.

Bergen Global
Jekteviksbakken 31, Bergen

29.03.2023
12:15 - 13:15
English
Add to calendar 29.03.2023, 29.03.2023

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Eva Johais
Postdoctoral researcher, CMI

Eva Johais works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute. Her research focuses on war as experience, and different types of intervention, including politics of state building, electoral assistance, and humanitarian aid.

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Johanne Kalsaas
PhD Candidate, UiB

Johanne Kalsaas is a PhD fellow in Russian media and communication studies at UiB. Her research focuses on online commentary and user-generated content on the Russian-language Internet, with a particular interest in how participatory media environments affect contemporary propaganda practices.

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Kristian A. Bjørkelo
Folklorist (PhD), UiB

Kristian A. Bjørkelo is a folklorist who holds a PhD in media studies, and an assistant professor teaching communication at the University of Bergen. He has written on online culture and the far right, and is interested in contemporary online memes as folklore and rhetorical tools.

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Liliia Oprysk
Associate professor, UiB

Liliia Oprysk is an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen. Liliia is Ukrainian. Her main research interest is digital copyright law.

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Eva Johais

Postdoctoral researcher, CMI

Eva Johais works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute. Her research focuses on war as experience, and different types of intervention, including politics of state building, electoral assistance, and humanitarian aid.

Personal page

Johanne Kalsaas

PhD Candidate, UiB

Johanne Kalsaas is a PhD fellow in Russian media and communication studies at UiB. Her research focuses on online commentary and user-generated content on the Russian-language Internet, with a particular interest in how participatory media environments affect contemporary propaganda practices.

Personal page

Kristian A. Bjørkelo

Folklorist (PhD), UiB

Kristian A. Bjørkelo is a folklorist who holds a PhD in media studies, and an assistant professor teaching communication at the University of Bergen. He has written on online culture and the far right, and is interested in contemporary online memes as folklore and rhetorical tools.

Personal page

Liliia Oprysk

Associate professor, UiB

Liliia Oprysk is an associate professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen. Liliia is Ukrainian. Her main research interest is digital copyright law.

Personal page

Bergen Global is a joint initiative between the University of Bergen and Chr. Michelsen Institute that addresses global challenges.