Fabian Hofmann (he/him)

Looking forward to an engaging discussion with these great speakers!

Arial shot of the earth at night with lights lit up on the earth

'Decentred dereliction in digital international relations: PeaceTech, ethics, and the cascading of moral responsibility' 🎉

Review of International Studies article & video abstract summary by Andreas T. Hirblinger, Fabian Hofmann (he/him) & Kristoffer Lidén 📚

Both here 👉 https://ow.ly/xmCc50XvCcY

Many thanks, Sara 🎉

Thanks a lot, Flavia! 💫

This gives rise to a “decentred dereliction”:

The ethics discourse cascades PeaceTech's adverse effects downwards to affected communities, increasing the chances that the objectives of digital peacebuilding will be abandoned.

This matters for practitioners, policymakers & IR scholars alike.

5/5

In this cascade:

Higher-level actors handle abstract and systemic risks.

Lower-level actors—often with fewer resources—face personal, tangible risks. They must choose: accept risks to keep PeaceTech running, or reduce risks and undermine peacebuilding objectives.

4/5

Based on an in-depth document analysis, we uncover how the discourse frames risks, suggests responses, and attributes responsibilities.

This leads to a cascading of moral responsibility from the international to the local, from the public to the private sector, and from orgs to end users.

3/5

PeaceTech holds promise—but also poses risks.

In recent years, many practice-oriented publications have explored how to use digital technologies ethically in peacebuilding.

But beyond what it says, what does this ethics discourse actually do?

2/5

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

Our article “Decentred Dereliction in Digital International Relations” is just out with @risjnl.bsky.social: shorturl.at/KtBjK

In it, @andreas-hirblinger.bsky.social, @kristoffer-liden.bsky.social, and I analyze the role of ethics in ordering digital peacebuilding.

1/5

As part of the #DoingIPSSwitzerlandSymposium, join us for “Vulnerability in the Anthropocene: Bodies, Infrastructures, and Temporality” — a talk by @aesguerra.bsky.social, mod. by @mweitzel.bsky.social.

🗓 Mon, 24.11.25 | 15:30–17:00 CET
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute & ONLINE
🔽 More information 🔽

Roundtable | 'Gaia’s Lifeboats & Its Stewards'

Speakers | @delfrothe.bsky.social , @jefhuysmans.bsky.social, Stephanie Wakefield

Moderated by | @francakappes.bsky.social

🗓 Tues, 24.11.25 | 14:15–15:30 CET
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute & ONLINE
🔽 More information 🔽

Shout-out to @francakappes.bsky.social and @lucasperezfl.bsky.social for creating a space that transcended the confines of the traditional workshop format, allowing for stimulating exchanges, intellectual experimentation, and goosebump moments!

Excited to embark on this relaunch alongside @francakappes.bsky.social , Victoria Motta, and Carolina Futuro!

Shout-out to @matthiasleese.bsky.social , Klaus Dingwerth, and Lucile Maertens, who first established the #DoingIPS network in 🇨🇭

👉 Call for Participation: forms.gle/6aMrVN8pHVVw...

What role can AI play in contemporary efforts to end violent conflict and build peace? I had the pleasure of reviewing two highly relevant books on the subject for @iajournal.bsky.social. Many thanks to the Book Reviews Editors for this opportunity! Access the review here: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...

How could Switzerland approach PeaceTech ethics in a more holistic manner? I had the privilege of writing a CSS Policy Perspective on the subject. Shout-out to Leo Eigner and @goranagrgic.bsky.social for the excellent editorial support. Read the brief here: shorturl.at/oMfRB

Next in our introductory series is our communications officer, @fhofmann.bsky.social. Fabian is a doctoral researcher at the Technology & Governance group @ethzurich.bsky.social, where he investigates the role of smart cities in urban peace and conflict.