Compelling narratives are integral to successful foreign policy, military strategy, and international relations. Yet rarely in these fields are the stories of 'ordinary' citizens told. The formation of strategic narratives is informed by the stories governments think their people tell, rather than those they actually tell. Always at War examines the stories told by a broad cross-section of British society about their country's past, present, and future role in war. Rather than perceiving distinct periods between war and peace, it reveals how British citizens see their nation as so frequently involved in conflict that they see the country as continuously at war. With tensions over Brexit increasing, it reveals the war stories that define British national identity, its relationship with Europe, and considers the place of war in Britain's future. 

Dr. Thomas Colley is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of War Studies whose research interests include propaganda, strategic communication and their historical and contemporary use in war. His research is driven by a fascination with how to understand better what publics actually think, and thus how they might be persuaded or resist persuasion. His first book, Always at War, investigates the similarities in how British citizens construct stories about war. He has spoken about his research on BBC television and radio in the context of international terrorism, and written articles for a range of publications, including the Daily Telegraph and Times Literary Supplement. His current research examines the use of narratives in military strategy, and the societal impact of disinformation. He has also advised the UK Home Office and Cabinet Office based on his research.  In 2017 Dr. Colley was awarded KCL’s prestigious ‘Rising Star’ Teaching Excellence Award.