The Divided Brain with Dr Iain McGilchrist

The Divided Brain with Dr Iain McGilchrist

Author: Department of War Studies August 18, 2026 Duration: 50:59
In this episode of the Breaking Cycles of Conflict mini-series, XCEPT's Dr Nafees Hamid talks to Dr Iain McGilchrist – psychiatrist, philosopher, neuroscientist and author of The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things – about how the brain's left and right hemispheres attend to the world in fundamentally different ways. They explore how shifts in hemispheric dominance have shaped trust, institutions and the rise and fall of civilisations throughout history, and what this means for how governments, mediators and practitioners build, and lose, legitimacy in fragile and conflict-affected settings today. This research is part of XCEPT (Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends), a UK aid-funded programme. King's College London's contribution to XCEPT focuses on the factors that shape violent and peaceful behaviour in conflict-affected populations. Find out more about XCEPT at xcept-research.org.

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: 50

War Studies
Podcast Episodes
Trump and the future of the Russia-Ukraine war [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:45
What would Trump’s return to the White House mean for Ukraine’s future and Europe’s security? How might his strategy for the war in Ukraine differ from the current administration’s? Can he deliver on his pledge to end th…
The power of open-source intelligence with Henrietta Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:06
How is open-source data being used to uncover threats to human security, and what ethical challenges do practitioners face when working with open-source intelligence? In this episode, we delve into these questions with H…
The Strugle for Taiwan with Professor Sulmaan Khan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:27
What makes Taiwan such a crucial flashpoint in global politics? How has its historical journey shaped its current role on the world stage? In this special 'War Studies Podcast Live' episode, Dr Charlie Laderman, Senior L…
The Great Global Rebalancing with Dr Samir Puri [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:11
Are we witnessing the decline of Western power and influence? What could this mean for the future of the global order? In this episode, Dr. Samir Puri—former UK diplomat and Visiting Lecturer in the Department of War Stu…
What is the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:09
Why do groups enter into conflict when a peaceful resolution could be reached? Dr Nafees Hamid interviews Dr Hannes Rusch about his work examining the ‘logic’ of intergroup conflict. Dr Rusch talks us through the basic m…
Understanding conflict trauma and mental health in South Sudan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
*This episode was recorded in early March 2024, before the recent escalation of violence in Sudan. South Sudan may be the youngest country in the world, but it’s already undergone a huge amount of violence – and the ongo…
Building resilience to violent extremism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:11
What makes a person or a community resilient to violent extremism? Are these inherent characteristics or are they something that can be taught? ‘Resilience’ has become a buzzword in the field of countering violent extrem…
How greening initiatives can help promote peace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:13
After two decades of violent conflict in the city of Mosul, Iraq, Dr Omar Mohammed, founder of the Mosul Eye organisation, started a tree-planting initiative to help bring communities together. In the United States, Dr M…
Wargaming: Playing out uncertainty with Dr David Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
Wargaming has surged in popularity in recent years, drawing substantial financial backing from militaries, governments and the private sector alike. But what are wargames and how are they being used within the defence in…