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Michelle Jones

Dr Michelle Jones is a lived experience researcher working with research institutes, national militaries, and universities on projects involving individuals with specific lived experiences and promoting the importance of lived experience in research. Research interests: narrative inquiry, qualitative interviews on sensitive subject areas, military studies, mental health, and sexual violence.She has a Ph.D. in War Studies from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University. Her research interests are in the areas of military culture, strategic and intelligence studies. She has a particular interest in British military operations (post-1990), contemporary challenges in conflict zones, private military security companies, and conflict experiences (soldier's narratives).

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Book Reviews by Michelle Jones

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, M. Review of "The Routledge Handbook of War and Society" by S Carlton-Ford and M.G. Ender (Routledge, New York, 2011), Intelligence and National Security Journal, Volume: 30, No: 4, 2015, pp. 560-613.

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, M. (Dec 2013) Review of "Armed Drones and the Ethics of War: Military Virtue in a Post-Heroic Age" by C Enemark (Routledge 2014), Journal of International Relations Research, Volume: 3, No:1.

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, M. (Jan 2013) Review of "The Gun: The Story of the AK-47" by C.J. Chivers (Penguin 2010), Journal of International Relations Research, Volume: 2, No:1.

Books by Michelle Jones

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, M. “The Social Construction of Childhood and its Implications on the Battlefield”, taken from Sharma, V. and Brink, A. “Childhood: Through the Looking Glass”, (Inter-Disciplinary Press, Oxford, 2016).

Child Soldiers, sometimes referred to as child warriors, are often looked at but equally overlook... more Child Soldiers, sometimes referred to as child warriors, are often looked at but equally overlooked within the field of international relations. Non-governmental organisations, charities and media reports all paint a vivid picture of what constitutes a child soldier; usually focusing on their victimhood and their key distinguishing identity; age. The social construction of childhood leads to a 'one size fits all' mentality amongst those working with children in war zones which has the potential to lead to more problems in an already chaotic environment. This paper will examine the newly labelled 'child warrior' as an actor within the international sphere, examining why the term 'warrior' has become affixed and how a more ethnographic approach could benefit those caught up in conflict scenarios. The second part of the paper will seek to examine how the social construction of childhood, imposed by Western thinking and discipline, creates implications for British military forces operating within certain conflict zones. The portrayal of child soldiers in the media and by NGOs has a devastating consequence and effect on military personnel, who relate to common ideas by popular culture associated with children but face a very different, harsh reality on the battlefield which causes further chaos and confusion to an already complex situation.

Research paper thumbnail of Contributor, in Dickson, K. D. ed “Encyclopaedia of American Military History” (2nd Edition, Facts on File Inc, New York, forthcoming 2014)

Conference Presentations by Michelle Jones

Research paper thumbnail of "Strong Soldier, Fragile Veteran: Socially Constructed Identities and Help-Seeking", Paper presented at the European Research Group on Military and Society, Hellenic Military Academy, Athens, 26th- 30th June 2017.

Research paper thumbnail of "Encountering Children in Theatres of Armed Conflict: A new Challenge?", Paper presented at the European Research Group on Military and Society, Hellenic Military Academy, Athens, 26th- 30th June 2017.

With contemporary conflicts being fought amongst and alongside civilian populations, the likeliho... more With contemporary conflicts being fought amongst and alongside civilian populations, the likelihood of professional soldiers encountering children during military operations has increased. Legal frameworks concerning the topic of children in armed conflict are born from sociological understandings surrounding the Western concept of childhood based on the idea that children are innocent and in need of protection. Within theatres of armed conflict children can be encountered by military forces in two distinct ways; either as innocent bystanders or as security threats. However, a moral dilemma can occur when a child, who is armed and capable of a lethal attack, is encountered by an adult soldier, whose values resonate with the Western concept of childhood. This leads to the adult soldier needing to make a difficult decision: to shoot and harm a child or to hesitate and risk harming themselves and others around them. This situation can have consequences for both the military operation and the psychological well-being of the professional soldier.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of children in contemporary theatres of armed conflict. By drawing upon interviews with former and serving members of the British Army, this paper will highlight the various ways professional military personnel could encounter children in modern conflict zones. The paper will discuss the different roles children can play in conflict zones and the new challenges they present to professional military personnel. Finally, this paper will discuss how the presence of children in theatres of armed conflict can effect military operations, and the attitudes and practices of military personnel who may operate in the same operational landscape.

Research paper thumbnail of “Children on the Battlefield: A Modern Phenomenon?”, Paper presented at the British International History Group Conference, University of Kent, 10th -12th September 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of "Child Soldiers and the Social Construction of Childhood", Paper presented at Children and Childhoods Conference, University of Suffolk, 14-15th July 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Children in Conflict Zones Presentation, WISERD Conference, Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, 30th June- 2nd July 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of “Child Warrior Vs. Child Soldier: The Social Construction of Childhood and its Implications on the Battlefield”, Paper presented at the 4th Global Childhood Conference, Mansfield College, Oxford, 17th-19th July 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “A Picture of Innocence: How Media and NGO Portrayals of Child Solders are enhancing the grey area for British Military Personnel”, Paper presented at BISA PGN, Dublin, 17th June 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “Child Warriors: Contemporary Challenges”, Paper Presented at the War and Intelligence Studies: Challenges for the Twenty- First Century Research Conference, Aberystwyth University, 3rd -4th June 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of "Child Warrior Vs Professional Warrior: Contemporary Conflicts and Challenges", Paper presented at Understanding Change in Contemporary Conflict Conference, Nottingham University, 8th March 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “Professional Warrior Vs. Child Warrior: Two Sides of the Same Coin?”, Paper Presented at Behind the Lines: Gender in the Bunker of Security and Defence, Surrey University, 11th September 2013.

Presentations by Michelle Jones

Research paper thumbnail of The British Army and the Invisible Child, Presentation given at Aberystwyth University, 16th January 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Children on the Battlefield, Presentation given at Aberystwyth University, 17th May 2013.

Research Reports and Papers by Michelle Jones

Research paper thumbnail of 'Survivor Advocacy in Sport: Investigating the Process, Impact, and Outcomes of Survivor-led Education for Safeguarding in Sport'

Research paper thumbnail of 'Applying evidence-based Canadian experiences to the needs of UK veterans'

Research paper thumbnail of 'Survivor Advocacy in Sport: Investigating the Process, Impact, and Outcomes of Survivor-led Education for Safeguarding in Sport'

Research paper thumbnail of Jones, M. “The Social Construction of Childhood and its Implications on the Battlefield”, taken from Sharma, V. and Brink, A. “Childhood: Through the Looking Glass”, (Inter-Disciplinary Press, Oxford, 2016).

Child Soldiers, sometimes referred to as child warriors, are often looked at but equally overlook... more Child Soldiers, sometimes referred to as child warriors, are often looked at but equally overlooked within the field of international relations. Non-governmental organisations, charities and media reports all paint a vivid picture of what constitutes a child soldier; usually focusing on their victimhood and their key distinguishing identity; age. The social construction of childhood leads to a 'one size fits all' mentality amongst those working with children in war zones which has the potential to lead to more problems in an already chaotic environment. This paper will examine the newly labelled 'child warrior' as an actor within the international sphere, examining why the term 'warrior' has become affixed and how a more ethnographic approach could benefit those caught up in conflict scenarios. The second part of the paper will seek to examine how the social construction of childhood, imposed by Western thinking and discipline, creates implications for British military forces operating within certain conflict zones. The portrayal of child soldiers in the media and by NGOs has a devastating consequence and effect on military personnel, who relate to common ideas by popular culture associated with children but face a very different, harsh reality on the battlefield which causes further chaos and confusion to an already complex situation.

Research paper thumbnail of Contributor, in Dickson, K. D. ed “Encyclopaedia of American Military History” (2nd Edition, Facts on File Inc, New York, forthcoming 2014)

Research paper thumbnail of "Strong Soldier, Fragile Veteran: Socially Constructed Identities and Help-Seeking", Paper presented at the European Research Group on Military and Society, Hellenic Military Academy, Athens, 26th- 30th June 2017.

Research paper thumbnail of "Encountering Children in Theatres of Armed Conflict: A new Challenge?", Paper presented at the European Research Group on Military and Society, Hellenic Military Academy, Athens, 26th- 30th June 2017.

With contemporary conflicts being fought amongst and alongside civilian populations, the likeliho... more With contemporary conflicts being fought amongst and alongside civilian populations, the likelihood of professional soldiers encountering children during military operations has increased. Legal frameworks concerning the topic of children in armed conflict are born from sociological understandings surrounding the Western concept of childhood based on the idea that children are innocent and in need of protection. Within theatres of armed conflict children can be encountered by military forces in two distinct ways; either as innocent bystanders or as security threats. However, a moral dilemma can occur when a child, who is armed and capable of a lethal attack, is encountered by an adult soldier, whose values resonate with the Western concept of childhood. This leads to the adult soldier needing to make a difficult decision: to shoot and harm a child or to hesitate and risk harming themselves and others around them. This situation can have consequences for both the military operation and the psychological well-being of the professional soldier.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of children in contemporary theatres of armed conflict. By drawing upon interviews with former and serving members of the British Army, this paper will highlight the various ways professional military personnel could encounter children in modern conflict zones. The paper will discuss the different roles children can play in conflict zones and the new challenges they present to professional military personnel. Finally, this paper will discuss how the presence of children in theatres of armed conflict can effect military operations, and the attitudes and practices of military personnel who may operate in the same operational landscape.

Research paper thumbnail of “Children on the Battlefield: A Modern Phenomenon?”, Paper presented at the British International History Group Conference, University of Kent, 10th -12th September 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of "Child Soldiers and the Social Construction of Childhood", Paper presented at Children and Childhoods Conference, University of Suffolk, 14-15th July 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Children in Conflict Zones Presentation, WISERD Conference, Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, 30th June- 2nd July 2015.

Research paper thumbnail of “Child Warrior Vs. Child Soldier: The Social Construction of Childhood and its Implications on the Battlefield”, Paper presented at the 4th Global Childhood Conference, Mansfield College, Oxford, 17th-19th July 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “A Picture of Innocence: How Media and NGO Portrayals of Child Solders are enhancing the grey area for British Military Personnel”, Paper presented at BISA PGN, Dublin, 17th June 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “Child Warriors: Contemporary Challenges”, Paper Presented at the War and Intelligence Studies: Challenges for the Twenty- First Century Research Conference, Aberystwyth University, 3rd -4th June 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of "Child Warrior Vs Professional Warrior: Contemporary Conflicts and Challenges", Paper presented at Understanding Change in Contemporary Conflict Conference, Nottingham University, 8th March 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of “Professional Warrior Vs. Child Warrior: Two Sides of the Same Coin?”, Paper Presented at Behind the Lines: Gender in the Bunker of Security and Defence, Surrey University, 11th September 2013.

Research paper thumbnail of The British Army and the Invisible Child, Presentation given at Aberystwyth University, 16th January 2014.

Research paper thumbnail of Encountering Children on the Battlefield, Presentation given at Aberystwyth University, 17th May 2013.

Research paper thumbnail of Same-sex sexual violence in the military: A scoping review

Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Same-sex sexual violence in the military: A scoping review

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health, 2020

Sexual violence (SV) is a globally prevalent issue, and the majority of research focuses on the h... more Sexual violence (SV) is a globally prevalent issue, and the majority of research focuses on the historical view of SV as an act perpetrated by men against women. Same-sex sexual violence (SSSV) incidents represent a small proportion of recorded sexual offences, and therefore prevalence and consequences of this have received little attention. Male-dominated occupations, such as the military, are associated with higher rates of SV and data points to a particular vulnerability to SSSV of male service personnel (SP). Methods: This review aims to map the literature pertaining to SSSV in the military. A comprehensive scoping review methodology was adopted, following a rigorous accepted framework. Four databases were searched for English language, peer-reviewed, original research papers that were focused on SSSV in the military context. Results: Eleven papers were identified that met the criteria for inclusion; 10 originated from the United States and one from South Korea. Themes identified included prevalence and nature of SSSV in the military, characteristics of survivors and perpetrators, barriers to reporting, and the outcomes associated with SSSV in the military. Discussion: The evidence that does exist suggests that male SP are particularly at risk of SSSV, and experience poorer psychological and social outcomes due to SSSV compared to female SP and those who experience opposite-sex sexual violence (OSSV). More research is required internationally to provide accurate and up-to-date estimates of prevalence, and to account for cultural and structural differences in military organizations.

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