Professor Naomi Head

  • Professor of International Relations (Political & International Studies)

telephone: 01413307539
email: Naomi.Head@glasgow.ac.uk

Politics, Adam Smith Building, 40 Bute Gardens, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8RT

Import to contacts

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6923-003X

Biography

I am a Professor of International Relations at the University of Glasgow.  Prior to joining the University of Glasgow I previously held positions at the University of Leeds where I was a Lecturer (2008-9) and Aberystwyth University where I was an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow (2009-10).  My research broadly focuses on narratives of conflict and the politics of emotions.

In 2019 I held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship on the project 'Empathy under Fire: 'Hearts and Minds' and the Politics of Empathy'. My research explores the politics of empathy and emotions in contexts of occupation and war, and I am currently focusing on the Human Terrain System adopted by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan along with a wider focus on the relationships between, gender, culture, colonialism and counterinsurgency. Previous research has focused on NATO’s intervention in Kosovo, Habermasian critical theory and communicative ethics, the legitimacy of the use of force in the Security Council, the emotional dynamics of the Iranian nuclear issue, and the dynamics of empathy in non-violent resistance movements in Israel/Palestine.

In 2023 I was a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Global Cooperation at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany and I have been a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies at Loughborough University (2021-22).  I am the co-founder and former convenor of the British International Studies Association Working Group on Emotions in Politics and International Relations, and an elected BISA Trustee (2020-2022).  Since 2022 I have been an Associate Practitioner with the Centre for Good Relations in Scotland.

Research interests

My research focuses on the following areas:

  • The politics of empathy and emotions
  • Narratives of conflict
  • Critical social and international political theory
  • Counterinsurgency, humanitarianism, and the use of force
  • Conflict transformation, mediation and non-violence
  • Critical pedagogies
  • Mediation

 

Research groups

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Number of items: 25.

2025

Head, N. , Eroukhmanoff, C. and Beattie, A. R. (2025) Emotions. In: Crilley, R., Manchanda, N., Shepherd, L. J., Wilkinson, C., Biddolph, C. and Fishel, S. (eds.) Thinking World Politics Otherwise: A Diverse Introduction to International Relations. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192897701 (In Press)

2024

Head, N. and Kaur, S. (2024) Power and pedagogic failure: seeking a politics of empathy towards an anti-racist academy. Journal of International Political Theory, (doi: 10.1177/17550882241283576) (Early Online Publication)

Head, N. (2024) “Women helping women”: deploying gender in US counterinsurgency wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Security Dialogue, 55(2), pp. 160-178. (doi: 10.1177/09670106231203839)

Head, N. (2024) Empathy and the politicization of emotions. In: Koschut, S. and Ross, A. G. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Emotions in International Relations. Series: Oxford Handbooks. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197698532 (doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197698532.001.0001) (Accepted for Publication)

2020

Head, N. (2020) Sentimental politics or responding to structural injustice? The ambivalence of emotions for political responsibility. International Theory, 12(3), pp. 337-357. (doi: 10.1017/S175297192000007X)

Head, N. (2020) Contesting emotional governance: Empathy under fire in the Israeli public sphere during Operation Protective Edge. In: Koschut, S. (ed.) The Power of Emotions in World Politics. Series: Intervention Series. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 9780367347222

Head, N. (2020) A “pedagogy of discomfort”? Experiential learning and conflict analysis in Israel-Palestine. International Studies Perspectives, 21(1), pp. 78-96. (doi: 10.1093/isp/ekz026)

2019

Beattie, A. R., Eroukhmanoff, C. and Head, N. (2019) Introduction: interrogating the ‘everyday’ politics of emotions in international relations. Journal of International Political Theory, 15(2), pp. 136-147. (doi: 10.1177/1755088219830428)

2018

Matthies-Boon, V. and Head, N. (2018) Trauma as counter-revolutionary colonisation: narratives from (post)revolutionary Egypt. Journal of International Political Theory, 14(3), pp. 258-279. (doi: 10.1177/1755088217748970)

2016

Head, N. (2016) Costly encounters of the empathic kind: a typology. International Theory, 8(1), pp. 171-199. (doi: 10.1017/S1752971915000238)

Head, N. (2016) The failure of empathy: European responses to the refugee crisis. Open Democracy, 18 Feb.

Head, N. (2016) A politics of empathy: encounters with empathy in Israel and Palestine. Review of International Studies, 42(1), pp. 95-113. (doi: 10.1017/S0260210515000108)

2014

Head, N. (2014) Some are more equal than others: responses to political violence. Open Democracy, 2015, Jul 30.

2013

Head, N. (2013) Justifying violence: communicative ethics and the use of force in Kosovo. e-International Relations,

Head, N. (2013) Tango: the intimate dance of conflict transformation. Open Democracy,

2012

Head, N. (2012) Justifying Violence: Communicative Ethics and the Use of Force in Kosovo. Series: New approaches to conflict analysis. Manchester University Press: Manchester. ISBN 9780719083075

Head, N. (2012) Transforming relations with Iran: the missing dimension of the 'moral imagination'. Interventions, 1(2), pp. 1-3.

Head, N. (2012) The contribution of trust, empathy, and dialogue: talking to Iran. International Studies Today, 2(1), p. 9.

Head, N. (2012) Transforming conflict: trust, empathy, and dialogue. International Journal of Peace Studies, 17(2), pp. 33-55.

2010

Boon, V. and Head, N. (2010) Critical theory and the language of violence: exploring the issues. Journal of Global Ethics, 6(2), pp. 79-87. (doi: 10.1080/17449626.2010.494355)

Head, N. (2010) Bringing reflective judgement into International Relations: Genocide in Rwanda. Journal of Global Ethics, 6(2), pp. 191-204. (doi: 10.1080/17449626.2010.494365)

Ralph, J., Head, N. and Lightfoot, S. (2010) Pol-casting: the use of podcasting in the teaching and learning of Politics and International Relations. European Political Science, 9(1), pp. 13-24. (doi: 10.1057/eps.2009.38)

2009

Ralph, J., Head, N. and Lightfoot, S. (2009) Engaging students beyond the classroom: the experience of a podcasting project. Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences, 1(3),

2008

Head, N. (2008) Critical theory and its practices: Habermas, Kosovo and International Relations. Politics, 28(3), pp. 150-159. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00324.x)

Head, N. (2008) Review of: Taylor B. Seybolt, Humanitarian Military Intervention: The Conditions for Success and Failure. Civil Wars, 10(2), pp. 196-198. (doi: 10.1080/13698240802062895)[Book Review]

This list was generated on Mon Mar 24 09:07:04 2025 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Books | Book Sections | Book Reviews
Number of items: 25.

Articles

Head, N. and Kaur, S. (2024) Power and pedagogic failure: seeking a politics of empathy towards an anti-racist academy. Journal of International Political Theory, (doi: 10.1177/17550882241283576) (Early Online Publication)

Head, N. (2024) “Women helping women”: deploying gender in US counterinsurgency wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Security Dialogue, 55(2), pp. 160-178. (doi: 10.1177/09670106231203839)

Head, N. (2020) Sentimental politics or responding to structural injustice? The ambivalence of emotions for political responsibility. International Theory, 12(3), pp. 337-357. (doi: 10.1017/S175297192000007X)

Head, N. (2020) A “pedagogy of discomfort”? Experiential learning and conflict analysis in Israel-Palestine. International Studies Perspectives, 21(1), pp. 78-96. (doi: 10.1093/isp/ekz026)

Beattie, A. R., Eroukhmanoff, C. and Head, N. (2019) Introduction: interrogating the ‘everyday’ politics of emotions in international relations. Journal of International Political Theory, 15(2), pp. 136-147. (doi: 10.1177/1755088219830428)

Matthies-Boon, V. and Head, N. (2018) Trauma as counter-revolutionary colonisation: narratives from (post)revolutionary Egypt. Journal of International Political Theory, 14(3), pp. 258-279. (doi: 10.1177/1755088217748970)

Head, N. (2016) Costly encounters of the empathic kind: a typology. International Theory, 8(1), pp. 171-199. (doi: 10.1017/S1752971915000238)

Head, N. (2016) The failure of empathy: European responses to the refugee crisis. Open Democracy, 18 Feb.

Head, N. (2016) A politics of empathy: encounters with empathy in Israel and Palestine. Review of International Studies, 42(1), pp. 95-113. (doi: 10.1017/S0260210515000108)

Head, N. (2014) Some are more equal than others: responses to political violence. Open Democracy, 2015, Jul 30.

Head, N. (2013) Justifying violence: communicative ethics and the use of force in Kosovo. e-International Relations,

Head, N. (2013) Tango: the intimate dance of conflict transformation. Open Democracy,

Head, N. (2012) Transforming relations with Iran: the missing dimension of the 'moral imagination'. Interventions, 1(2), pp. 1-3.

Head, N. (2012) The contribution of trust, empathy, and dialogue: talking to Iran. International Studies Today, 2(1), p. 9.

Head, N. (2012) Transforming conflict: trust, empathy, and dialogue. International Journal of Peace Studies, 17(2), pp. 33-55.

Boon, V. and Head, N. (2010) Critical theory and the language of violence: exploring the issues. Journal of Global Ethics, 6(2), pp. 79-87. (doi: 10.1080/17449626.2010.494355)

Head, N. (2010) Bringing reflective judgement into International Relations: Genocide in Rwanda. Journal of Global Ethics, 6(2), pp. 191-204. (doi: 10.1080/17449626.2010.494365)

Ralph, J., Head, N. and Lightfoot, S. (2010) Pol-casting: the use of podcasting in the teaching and learning of Politics and International Relations. European Political Science, 9(1), pp. 13-24. (doi: 10.1057/eps.2009.38)

Ralph, J., Head, N. and Lightfoot, S. (2009) Engaging students beyond the classroom: the experience of a podcasting project. Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences, 1(3),

Head, N. (2008) Critical theory and its practices: Habermas, Kosovo and International Relations. Politics, 28(3), pp. 150-159. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00324.x)

Books

Head, N. (2012) Justifying Violence: Communicative Ethics and the Use of Force in Kosovo. Series: New approaches to conflict analysis. Manchester University Press: Manchester. ISBN 9780719083075

Book Sections

Head, N. , Eroukhmanoff, C. and Beattie, A. R. (2025) Emotions. In: Crilley, R., Manchanda, N., Shepherd, L. J., Wilkinson, C., Biddolph, C. and Fishel, S. (eds.) Thinking World Politics Otherwise: A Diverse Introduction to International Relations. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192897701 (In Press)

Head, N. (2024) Empathy and the politicization of emotions. In: Koschut, S. and Ross, A. G. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Emotions in International Relations. Series: Oxford Handbooks. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197698532 (doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197698532.001.0001) (Accepted for Publication)

Head, N. (2020) Contesting emotional governance: Empathy under fire in the Israeli public sphere during Operation Protective Edge. In: Koschut, S. (ed.) The Power of Emotions in World Politics. Series: Intervention Series. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 9780367347222

Book Reviews

Head, N. (2008) Review of: Taylor B. Seybolt, Humanitarian Military Intervention: The Conditions for Success and Failure. Civil Wars, 10(2), pp. 196-198. (doi: 10.1080/13698240802062895)[Book Review]

This list was generated on Mon Mar 24 09:07:04 2025 GMT.

Grants

Leverhulme Research Fellowship: Empathy under Fire: 'Hearts and Minds' and the Politics of Empathy (January 2019 - December 2019)

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland: Prospects for Conflict Transformation?Non-violence and civil society organisations in Israel and Palestine, Small Research Grant (July 2013)  http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/politics/projects/prospects%20for%20conflict%20transformation/

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland: Transforming Conflict: Trust, Empathy, Dialogue and the Iranian nuclear crisis, Small Research Grant (July 2011)

ESRC  Postdoctoral Fellowship: Conflict, Dialogue and Ethics in International Relations: From the responsibility to Protect to the Responsibility to Discuss? (September 2009-August 2010)

Supervision

Current PhD students:

Sophia Kaur Saini: 'Coloniality: Securitised, Traumatised, and Silenced: A case study of the deterritorialised Punjab Problem​'

Cristina Chiran: 'Cinematic Nation-Building and Recognition: Kosovo and Palestine'

Saba Ameer: 'Cultural heritage-human security nexus: Understanding the notion of security, securitisation and state-building through cultural heritage' 

Irene Piedrahita Arcila: 'Beyond the use of violence: ex-combatants' narratives on the logic of violence during the armed conflict'

Manon Minassian: 'Transnational Care in the Wake of Armed Resistance: The Case of Western Sahara’s Refugees' 

 

I welcome applications from prospective doctoral students interested in pursuing research in my areas of interest.

Alex Maxwell: 'Post-conflict recovery in Gulu (North Ugandan Acholiland): Examining the impact of ex-combatant re-integration interventions on the coping strategies of communities, their social capital and the state of civil society'.  (Completed)

Michael Wolven: 'State-Led Humanitarian Evacuation: A Critical History, 1942-1999'. (Completed)

Omran Omer Ali: 'Unexpected Effectiveness? The European Union and the Long Journey to the 2015 Landmark Agreement on Iran’s Nuclear Programme' (completed)

Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching

  • Introduction to International Relations (pre-honours)
  • Narratives of War and Conflict (Honours)

Postgraduate Teaching

  • Humanitarian Intervention: Civilians or Sovereignty?

Professional activities & recognition

Prizes, awards & distinctions

  • 2018: Excellence in Teaching International Studies Prize (British International Studies Association)
  • 2017: 'Highly Innovative Teaching' (University of Glasgow Student Teaching Awards)
  • 2016: Teaching Excellence Award (University of Glasgow College of Social Sciences)
  • 2016: 'Best Focus on International Opportunities’ (University of Glasgow Student Teaching Awards)

Research fellowships

  • 2019 - 2019: Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship
  • 2009 - 2010: ESRC Post-doctoral Fellowship

Grant committees & research advisory boards

  • 2019 - 2019: Independent Social Research Foundation, Early Career Research Fellowship
  • 2016 - 2018: ESRC, +3 Assessor Panel
  • 2010: ESRC, College Peer Review

Professional & learned societies

  • 2018: Co-Convenor Emotions in Politics and IR Working Group, British International Studies Association
  • 2009: Member, International Studies Association
  • 2020 - 2022: Elected Trustee, British International Studies Assocation

Additional information

Professional activities

2023: Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Global Cooperation, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

2021-2022: visiting Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, Loughborough University, UK

2020-2022: Elected Trustee, British International Studies Association

2018 - 2021: Co-founder and Co-convenor of the British International Studies Association Working Group on Emotions in Politics and International Relations

Teaching awards

2018: Winner of the British International Studies Association Excellence in Teaching International Studies Prize

2017: Winner of University of Glasgow Student Teaching Award for ‘Highly Innovative Teaching’

2016: Winner of College of Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award, University of Glasgow

2016: Winner of University of Glasgow Student Teaching Award for ‘Best Focus on International Opportunities’