About the Afterlives Network

We are a global network of scholars, activists and practitioners whose shared goal is to understand the social and political impacts of the missing and the dead, especially in the context of state violence, conflict and migration. As a network:

• We encompass different research approaches, and people at different stages of their careers. Our network encompasses members from multiple disciplinary backgrounds, including (but not limited to) human rights, forensic science, anthropology, transitional justice, politics, sociology and global studies.

• We examine the intersection between the missing and the dead, understanding that these categories are complex, shifting and contextual.

• We pursue new and innovative methods for research, advocacy and social change, including: working alongside the families of the dead and missing and seeing research as a part of their struggle; engaging with practitioners in a range of institutions to see research have real world impact.

• We seek to foster opportunities for collaboration and north-south and south-south intellectual exchange as we explore the diverse discourses, practices and political struggles that emerge around the missing and the dead in different contexts. When it is possible to do so, we convene in person at events and workshops. We also organise occasional online events, such as book discussions and work-in-progress seminars.

• We aim to provide an accessible platform for disseminating research to practitioners and scholars working in these fields.

• As a group we put considerable emphasis on collegiality and mutually supporting the research and practice of each of our group members.

Current Afterlives Network conveners

Simon Robins, Jessica Auchter, Damian Grenfell, Lia Kent and Robin Reineke

Joining the network

There are two ways to keep up to date or be involved in the afterlives network.

1)    If you would like to be kept informed of occasional public events, publications, and other research initiatives, you are welcome to request to be added to our email list on our contact page.   

2)    If you are a practitioner/researcher working in these fields and would like to join the network as an active member, please read through the detail on various sections of this website. If you feel that you could contribute to the group please use our contact page to be in touch and we will respond with further details.

ICMP's Podrinje Identification Project sought to identify victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. Image Sarajevo 2005 (Photo: Damian Grenfell).