The aim of the conference is to develop a comprehensive picture of the nature, purpose and consequences of militias and irregular armed groups that are linked to government authorities. It will (a) explore the conditions under which irregular armed groups are recruited and formed, (b) investigate how member selection, monitoring and discipline within the groups affect the level of control governments have over them and how governments might use this restricted level of control to avoid accountability for the actions of the militias and (c) examine how the existence and activities of such irregular armed groups influence the level of control a government has over the use of forces within its borders.

The conference provides an opportunity to apply a multi-disciplinary and multi-method approach to a set of theoretically-driven research problems that are presented by these types of non-state actors. It will initiate exchange between academics and practitioners working in the field of armed conflict and conflict prevention and develop a research agenda among social scientists from politics, sociology and history, area and country experts, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

 

If you would like to attend the conference, please contact the conference organisers at sabine.carey@nottingham.ac.uk.

 

Accommodation
Hotel Ibis Nottingham Centre,
16 Fletcher gate
Nottingham NG1 2FS
UK
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-6160-ibis-nottingham-centre/index.shtml  

The hotel is situated next to the tram stop ‘Lace Market’, which is the first stop after Nottingham Train Station.

Maps and Travel Information
Details about the Lace Market tram stop, see http://www.thetram.net/maps/lacemarket.asp  
Link to UK Nation Rail Enquiries: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ 
Map of Nottingham 
Map of Nottingham City Centre
Map of University of Nottingham Campus 

Restaurant MemSaab, http://www.mem-saab.co.uk/