Drawing Ukraine: A discussion with Ella Baron

Drawing Ukraine: A discussion with Ella Baron

Author: Department of War Studies April 2, 2026 Duration: 38:25
In May 2025 Ella Baron, a political cartoonist at The Guardian, travelled to Ukraine to record and reflect on the human impact of war. In collaboration with NGO Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Ella met patients in a rehabilitation centre for war veterans in Cherkasy and a mental health clinic for internally displaced families in Vinnytsia. The Art & Conflict Hub is currently hosting an exhibition of the artwork Ella produced at the Arcade in Bush House until the end of April 2026, exploring the complex marks war leaves on the human body and mind. In this episode of the War Studies Podcast, Ella discusses her work as a political cartoonist and the exhibition "Battles of the Mind" with Dr Henry Redwood, co-convener for the MA in Political and Strategic Communications, and co-lead of the Art and Conflict Hub at the Department for War Studies. Experience "Battles of the Mind" at King’s: https://bit.ly/4m33AIe You can find below the full Guardian article, and links to Ella's socials: https://bit.ly/4m6GQHv X: @ebaroncartoons IG: @ella_baron

Drawn from the work of the School of Security Studies at King's College London, War Studies offers a direct line to one of the world's largest and most dedicated academic communities focused on security, defence, and international relations. This isn't about surface-level headlines; each episode digs into the intricate realities of conflict, diplomacy, and global power. You'll hear scholars and researchers unpack the underlying forces that shape world affairs, moving beyond theory to examine the tangible challenges faced by those navigating these complex spaces. The Department of War Studies produces this podcast to share its world-leading research, treating each conversation as an opportunity to question assumptions and deepen understanding. Tuning in means engaging with rigorous analysis that connects academic insight to the pressing security issues of our time. The consistent thread is a belief that examining the nature of war is essential for comprehending the broader landscape of human conflict and cooperation. Expect thoughtful, evidence-driven discussions that refuse to simplify the difficult questions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

War Studies
Podcast Episodes
The war in Ukraine: Hear from our experts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
Many pundits did not believe Russia was going to attack Ukraine. Yet on 24th February 2022 Vladimir Putin launched a terrestrial invasion entering through the North, South, and East of the country. As we continue to make…
The fall of the Soviet Union 30 years on [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:19
“The USSR as a geopolitical reality and subject of international law has ceased to exist.” In December 1991, the Presidents of Russia, the Ukraine and Belarus came together in the forests of the Polish-Belarussian border…
Challenges and Solutions of Climate Geoengineering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:11
What is climate engineering? How and why are certain shifting geoengineering policies engendering conflict? How do we differentiate between and prioritise the multitude of governance factors? How does funding affect the…
Climate change and the securitization of vulnerable nations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Vulnerable nations are really feeling the negative effects and implications of climate change and the associated security repercussions. To what extent is climate change a security issue in vulnerable states? How are the…