In this talk, Dr. Lu Xiaoyu offers an intimate look at his immersive research experiences in conflict zones, focusing on participant observation as a primary method for understanding contemporary wars. Drawing from fieldworks in regions such as Ukraine and Palestine, Dr. Lu recounts how living on the frontlines and engaging directly with those affected by conflict has enriched his understanding of war’s human dimensions. Through detailed narratives, he reveals how participant observation allows researchers to document subtle social dynamics, personal stories, and the ethical complexities inherent in turbulent environments. Attendees will learn about the challenges of maintaining objectivity while building trust with communities in crisis, and the methods used to record, interpret, and present these raw human experiences.

Xiaoyu Lu is an Assistant Professor at School of International Studies at Peking University. He received MSc and DPhil degrees in Politics from St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. Before joining PKU, he worked at the United Nations Development Programme and was a Research Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. His research focuses on conflict and peace, with field experience in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Colombia. He is the founding director of PeaceLab, which promotes conflict and peace studies and dialogues in China.

Hosted by Yao Lin, Assistant Professor of Practice in Political Science at NYU Shanghai.

This event is co-sponsored by Global China Studies, Humanities, and Center for Global Asia.