Research Interests

Research

My research focuses on the gendered aspects of the war in Ukraine, zooming in on issues relates to military mobilization, masculinity and draft evasion since Russia's full-scale attack. I lead a DFF-funded project on the politics of masculinity and the stigmatization of fighting-age Ukrainian men who flee the full-scale war and avoid potential military mobilization. Through interviews with Ukrainian men who have either left the country or evaded mobilization within Ukraine, I examine their complex experiences of guilt, fear, and freedom to choice.

The project also explores Ukrainian societal perceptions of draft evasion, unpacking contested narratives of stigma, duty, and male war roles. Additionally, it analyzes the state’s evolving mobilization policies and practices, both at a legal and symbolic level, considering their implications for social cohesion and for the social status of men who choose not to fight.

The project offers unique insights into current understandings of draft evasion and evolving gender norms in Ukraine, critically investigating how gendered power structures are simultaneously magnified and challenged by the ongoing war. See more at my project website: https://sofie-rose.com/

My key research areas includes: 

• Gender and armed conflict
• Mobilisation and military service
• Masculinity and war
• Protection of civilians in war
• Stigma research 
• Feminist peace research
• Narrative analysis
• War crimes and crimes against humanity 
• Gender-based violence and discrimination in the context of war

Supervision 

I am happy to supervise students who would like to write projects about gender and conflict, conflict-related sexual violence, atrocity crimes and genocide, the responsibility to protect (R2P), the laws of armed conflict, protection of civilians, ethics of war and peace, human rights issues related to armed conflict and human rights law and/or who wants to use feminist IR theory. Other proposals are also welcomed.

Research Interests

Currently researching: "The Politics of Masculinity and Stigmatization of Ukrainian Men Fleeing the War." Funded by DFF.