Reflections on Threads, war and conflict: arpilleras in Chile and in International Relations

Authors

  • Rachel Beattie University of St Andrews
  • Frankie Copp University of St Andrews
  • Schoutje Schouten University of St Andrews

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15664/jtr.1567

Keywords:

Conflict, Textiles, Threads, Voice, War, Women

Abstract

This article explores both individual and collective critical reflections on our involvement in the Threads, war and conflict project at the University of St Andrews. The article includes a collaborative section, followed by the authors’ personal experiences of engaging with arpilleras and creating our own textiles on the themes of “family” and “home”. The collaborative segment argues that arpilleras provided a voice for women in Chile to express their opposition to the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Touching on the concepts of women, textiles and the notion of “voice” in International Relations, we demonstrate how voice should be taken seriously in the field, and how creative media can challenge traditional expressions of voice.

Author Biographies

Rachel Beattie, University of St Andrews

Rachel Beattie holds an MLitt in International Security Studies and an MA in International Relations and Modern History, both from the University of St Andrews. Her research interests draw upon Critical Security Studies with a focus on the Copenhagen School’s securitisation framework. Exploring the interplay between spatiality, sound, silence and sensory experience, her work seeks to contribute to broadening understandings of “voice” and engagement, and advocate the importance of experience and everyday practices within the study of International Relations.

Frankie Copp, University of St Andrews

Frankie Copp holds an MLitt in International Security Studies from the University of St Andrews and a BA in Politics with International Relations from the University of York. Her research focuses on Critical Security Studies, primarily human security and security in everyday practices. She is currently exploring the impact of climate change on people in southern Africa, focusing on the contestations between human and state security.

Schoutje Schouten, University of St Andrews

Schoutje C.S. Schouten holds an MLitt in Strategic Studies from the University of St Andrews and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Groningen. Her research focuses primarily on military ethics. She is a member of the Dutch National ThinkTank 2020. 

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Published

2022-01-05

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2021): Contemporary Voices

Section

Openings

License

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