IWM Institute

What is the IWM Institute?

The IWM Institute is IWM’s hub for research, development and knowledge exchange, exploring links between past conflicts, today's world and future wars.

Research: We are an Independent Research Organisation, working in partnership with leading universities, and our research services enable public access to IWM’s world class collections.

Programme: Our public programme of talks, performances and podcasts explores our major research themes, and supports IWM's exhibition seasons and anniversaries.

Networks: We work in collaboration with our global network of experts, researchers, eyewitnesses and Associates.

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Transcript

“We live in an age of information overload. Unlock your phone and fall into a black hole, a storm of click bait headlines and urgent alerts. Millions of tiny sound bites flitting past without context or depth.

We live in an age of information weaponization. Alleged Russian meddling in US elections, accusations of interference in the Brexit vote. Sensationalism, misinformation, distortion, it leaves you wondering who can you trust? Are you getting the full story? Are your choices your own? It’s hard to sort fact from fiction from fake news. So where does this leave us on the big issues? War, conflict, suffering, power. Look at Syria, Yemen, Libya, where hundreds of thousands have been lost in the last few decades. When did these conflicts begin? How will they end? Why does it matter?

The constant deluge of information and media images of catastrophes, can leave us feeling saturated and powerless and when problems feel this insurmountable, it’s tempting to turn away and switch off.

But we don’t have to sleepwalk into this world. We can go deeper than the news cycle, connect with the people behind the headlines, see how 100 years of history gives us a clearer understanding of today and where we might be tomorrow. We can find a source of knowledge we trust and the time and space to make sense of it. A society based on understanding and compassion, that’s a very different place. Decide which world you want to live in.”

Watch and listen

Explore the IWM Institute's programme of talks, debates and podcasts.

Podcast Series

Conflict of Interest: Series 1

In Conflict of Interest Series 1, celebrity guests explore recent conflicts like the Northern Ireland "Troubles" and the Iraq War. Through simple yet profound questions, they uncover the people, objects and stories that bring these modern conflicts to life.

East and West Germans celebrate the lifting of travel restrictions on East Germans on a graffiti covered section of the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg gate, November 1989.

Podcast Series

Conflict of Interest: Series 2

In Series 2 of Conflict of Interest, celebrity guests and IWM curators delve into the complexities of the Cold War. From the Vietnam War to the division of Korea, each episode uncovers the stories and objects that shaped this era of global tension.

Visitors stood in IWM London's Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography galleries, admiring artworks, including 'Oppy Wood, 1917, Evening' by John Nash.

Podcast Series

Conflict of Interest: Series 3

In Series 3 of Conflict of Interest, celebrity guests join IWM curators to explore how art, film, and photography unveil the realities of war.

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Associates

Associates are experts drawn from fields including the arts, media, academia, policy and the NGO sector. Associates work with IWM to develop creative new ways of deepening understanding of war and conflict.

Christina Lamb

Christina Lamb is Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Sunday Times and one of Britain’s leading foreign journalists as well as a bestselling author.
Professor Lina Khatib

Lina Khatib is a Visiting Scholar with the Harvard Kennedy School’s Middle East Initiative at Harvard University.
Philippe Sands KC

Philippe Sands KC is Professor of Law at University College London and appears as counsel before the International Court of Justice and other international courts and tribunals.