About the Network

The phenomenon of friendship has traditionally been neglected by scholars of International Relations. This is changing. Over the last two decades, research has emerged that directs attention to the existence and power of friendship bonds at different levels, something that explains practices of solidarity and cooperation between states and non-state actors but can also be a source of discrimination and violence. Drawing on insights from different academic disciplines, we have seen efforts to theorise friendship through related concepts of trust, emotion, and identity, and scholars have shown its expression empirically in various cases.

Yet, we are only beginning to grasp how friendship, in its various shapes and forms, works as a political force in world politics. This site is intended as a resource for anyone interested in learning more about this research agenda in ‘friendship studies’ and its insights, with an invitation to participate. Get in touch here.