Publications
Controversial Funerary Art in British Empire War Cemeteries (1917-1922)
British Empire war cemeteries on the Western Front, managed by the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) from 1917 to 1922, became sites of controversy due to restrictions on funerary art. Unlike civilian burials, soldiers' graves were standardized without input from families or deceased individuals, sparking widespread discontent. This study reveals how the IWGC's centralized control over memorial design and placement created tension between grieving families, who sought personalization, and authorities prioritizing uniformity. By analyzing relationships between bereaved relatives, British officials, and contributing artists, the research highlights how funerary art became a battleground for societal values post-World War I, reflecting broader debates about memory, agency, and national identity.
Remembering the red zones: heritage-making in the more-than-human-worlds of modern conflict
A critical analysis of the memorial landscape at Vimy Ridge, France, reveals that 'zone rouge' (red zones)—heavily contaminated and destroyed areas from World War I—can serve as powerful memorials to the more-than-human cost of modern warfare. These forbidden landscapes challenge conventional heritage discourses by acknowledging nature's role in conflict, contrasting with human-centric remembrance practices. The study compares these isolated sections with manicured public spaces, arguing that red zones offer a pivotal perspective on the ecological and human impacts of war, enriching post-conflict heritage narratives.
Conceptualising the ‘Administration of the Dead’: Cadavers, war and public health in the early 20th century
A significant gap in First World War scholarship has been identified and addressed by introducing the concept of 'administration of the dead' to analyze battlefield corpse disposal. This novel approach reveals the intricate administrative, medical, and technological dimensions of managing military remains during and after the conflict, offering a fresh perspective that contrasts with the treatment of similar topics in other historical contexts. The study underscores the importance of integrating this overlooked aspect into broader First World War research, providing a framework for future investigations.
Sites of violence and their communities: critical memory studies in the post-human era
A groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach to memory studies reveals how overlooked, clandestine, or contested sites of violence—such as those from the First World War’s Western Front—challenge traditional narratives by integrating forensic, ecological, and material methodologies. This research uncovers unofficial transmissions of memory, redefining the role of human, post-human, and natural elements in shaping collective remembrance. By critically examining 'non-sites of memory,' it exposes the ontologies of unacknowledged victims, bystanders, and even the sites themselves, offering new perspectives for post-conflict societies to address repressed histories.
The memorialisation of the Great War in Folkestone, Canterbury and Dover, 1918-24
A significant surge in memorial construction following the First World War, particularly in Folkestone, Canterbury, and Dover, revealed complex dynamics of collective remembrance. These urban centers, crucial to the war effort—Canterbury as a spiritual hub and Folkestone/Dover as key military ports—saw civic memorialization prioritize pride over loss, emphasizing the fallen's roles as citizens, comrades, or family members. The study highlights tensions between civic and local narratives, shaped by debates over form, financing, and rituals, demonstrating how authority figures transformed private grief into public narratives through often protracted processes.
A Study on the Heritage Interpretation of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea for the Inscription on the World Heritage List-Based on the “Funerary and Memorial Sites of the First World War (Western Front)” 18)
A groundbreaking analysis establishes the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) as a significant 'Site of Memory,' drawing parallels with UNESCO-listed First World War memorials like those on the Western Front. The study, leveraging archival research from UN Archives and fieldwork at Belgian sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery and the Menin Gate, uncovers hidden histories central to the cemetery's heritage value. By applying interdisciplinary methods inspired by ICOMOS evaluations of European war memorials, it provides a theoretical framework for future heritage interpretation and potential UNESCO inscription. This work marks the first comprehensive examination of UNMCK’s role in global memory narratives, offering practical insights for cultural policy and academic discourse on World Heritage Sites.
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