In his research, Baudet focuses in particular on the military history of the second half of the 20^th century. For example, he has conducted research into the run-up to and aftermath of the war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. He has also studied defence information in the Netherlands from shortly after the Second World War, in which he researched which image of the armed forces and the international political situation was propagated – for example via the radio, newspapers and youth organisation – in order to create support in society.

The focus on information, media and communication is a central theme in Baudet’s research. ‘One issue that I find immensely interesting, for example, is how images, language, historical memories and reporting contribute to conflicts’, says the professor. ‘Every person has ideas about reality, but these can also be used by political and religious leaders to stir up hatred or to make territorial claims. And that mechanism can work the other way round as well: to quell conflicts. Research into this theme is also of practical value to the armed forces, because there is a great need for early warning: if you can see a conflict coming early, you might still be able to steer the development thereof. Moreover, the theme is still interesting from another perspective: it connects the armed forces with society.’

Cross-pollination and surprising questions

Alongside his appointment at the UvA, Baudet will remain affiliated with the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA) as associate professor of Strategy, a position he has filled since 2006. His chair at the UvA will lead to an interesting cross-pollination between the Faculty of Military Science of the NLDA and the UvA Master’s programme Military History, states the professor.

‘The exchanges with students and researchers at the UvA are often surprising, because people here ask questions from a very different frame of reference than the military personnel in training at the NLDA. That is extremely nice, because it keeps you on your toes and gives you the opportunity to hold your own assumptions up to the light again.’

Images of the enemy in Yugoslavia media

As professor of Military History, Baudet also wants to seek connection with researchers from other fields. ‘For example, I think it would be very interesting to investigate, together with researchers from Slavic Studies, how in the 1980s images of the enemy appeared in Yugoslavia media and whether – and if so, how – that ultimately contributed to war breaking out there.’

The chair of Baudet is responsible for the only military-historical Master’s programme in the Netherlands. That means a responsibility that goes beyond solely helping students to successfully cross the finish line, states the professor. ‘We train people who are going to conduct further research in this field. My ambition is that a larger share of our alumni will end up in the academic profession; I think that would be good for the field. Moreover, good knowledge of military operations is essential to society.’

About Floribert Baudet

Floribert Baudet studied History and obtained his doctorate in 2001 at Utrecht University with Het heeft onze aandacht (It has got our attention), an investigation into Dutch human rights policy with respect to Eastern Europe and Yugoslavia in the last 15 years of the Cold War. After obtaining his doctorate, he worked at Utrecht University as assistant professor in Political History and International Relations. Since 2006, he has been affiliated with the NLDA, where he lectures and conducts research. Baudet has published, among others things, about Dutch security and defence policy. His book Het vierde wapen (The fourth weapon, 2013) analyses the activist information policy of the Netherlands in the period 1944-1953.