Nick Dommett
Print version
Contact details
Department of Geography
King’s College London
4th Floor
King’s Building
Strand
London
WC2R 2LS
Email: nicholas.dommett@kcl.ac.uk
King’s College London
4th Floor
King’s Building
Strand
London
WC2R 2LS
Email: nicholas.dommett@kcl.ac.uk
Research
The Making of Place in a Violent Environment: The Jewish Communities of Judea and Samaria
Nick’s PhD research links into his long-standing interest at looking at the Israeli-Arab conflict from new and innovative ways. Building upon his Masters dissertation in 2006, Nick’s research aims to provide a comprehensive depiction of how the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria (or Israeli settlements in the West Bank) live in this extremely contested region. Although they are the subject of intense media and academic scrutiny, few studies attempt to explore the day-to-day lives of the communities or the complex relationships within Israeli society that influence and shape communal life.
Taking an overtly ethnographic approach, this research examines the opportunities and constraints for the communities in this heavily securitized place. The thesis explores this theme in the following manner. First of all, it investigates the system of governance operating in Judea and Samaria, showing it is the product of competing multi-scalar influences and aims of the various national and local actors. Secondly, it explores how the creations of barriers, both material and imagined, are an integral part of the communities’ existence and the key role they play in shaping their relationships with other actors in Israel. Thirdly it undertakes an in-depth study of daily communal life, exploring the complex socio-environmental relations that underpin the communal landscape.
Nick’s PhD research links into his long-standing interest at looking at the Israeli-Arab conflict from new and innovative ways. Building upon his Masters dissertation in 2006, Nick’s research aims to provide a comprehensive depiction of how the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria (or Israeli settlements in the West Bank) live in this extremely contested region. Although they are the subject of intense media and academic scrutiny, few studies attempt to explore the day-to-day lives of the communities or the complex relationships within Israeli society that influence and shape communal life.
Taking an overtly ethnographic approach, this research examines the opportunities and constraints for the communities in this heavily securitized place. The thesis explores this theme in the following manner. First of all, it investigates the system of governance operating in Judea and Samaria, showing it is the product of competing multi-scalar influences and aims of the various national and local actors. Secondly, it explores how the creations of barriers, both material and imagined, are an integral part of the communities’ existence and the key role they play in shaping their relationships with other actors in Israel. Thirdly it undertakes an in-depth study of daily communal life, exploring the complex socio-environmental relations that underpin the communal landscape.
Biography
In 2001 Nick concluded a Public International Law LLM specialising in the legal origins of the State of Israel. In 2005 he completed a BSc in Geology at Imperial College London, graduating with First Class Honours, and was awarded the Governor’s Prize for Excellence in Geology. Nick then undertook the MA in Environment, Politics and Globalization at King’s College London, obtaining a Distinction. His current research is aided by a grant from the University of London Central Research Fund.
Nick has had a wide variety of previous careers ranging from an internship at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), English and Geography teacher to football statistician. He puts his main interests as politics, art (especially criticising modern art), theatre, sport (both playing and watching), science fiction and travelling (usually so it involves some form of hiking). In his spare time, he works in a secondary level college teaching Geography, Geology and English Language to students encompassing a diverse range of backgrounds.
Nick has had a wide variety of previous careers ranging from an internship at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), English and Geography teacher to football statistician. He puts his main interests as politics, art (especially criticising modern art), theatre, sport (both playing and watching), science fiction and travelling (usually so it involves some form of hiking). In his spare time, he works in a secondary level college teaching Geography, Geology and English Language to students encompassing a diverse range of backgrounds.
