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Integrating Gender Perspective in Cognitive Warfare

December 21, 2023

On 7 November 2023, the Open Perspectives Exchange Network project released  the report on “Integrating Gender Perspective in Cognitive Warfare”, authored by Dr. Lana Obradovic, Director of the International Studies program and Associate Professor of Political Science, and Dr. Jody Neathery-Castro, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Global Engagement, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

This report is divided into three sections which draw from cognitive psychology, neurobiology, as well as gender and security studies. The first section puts the intersection of biological, social and experiential factors that impact gender-based cognitive differences into better context.  The second section highlights the impact of gender stereotypes, and the third section provides relevant concepts and analytical frameworks. To illustrate how aspects of gender are being used in the cognitive dimension to achieve strategic objectives and interests, the report emphasizes that “different actors seek to leverage the power of social media platforms and personalized algorithms to disseminate gendered messages with the goal of eroding the inclusiveness of democratic societies, fueling animosity towards gender equality, and exerting cognitive influence over domestic and foreign audiences.”

The research and findings of this report were presented during the 2023 Allied Command Transformation Gender Advisor Conference. This event raised awareness and understanding on how gender considerations can influence the perceptions, behaviours and decision-making processes in the information environment. These perspectives then affect the cognitive dimension, in particular the conceptual understanding of cognitive warfare.

One of the objectives of this report is to inform and support the future work and development of the NATO Cognitive Warfare Concept.

As part of the conclusion, five recommendations were proposed to NATO related to:

  • Adopting Women, Peace and Security and integrating gender perspective into the Cognitive Warfare Concept;
  • Gender-related considerations in shaping the information environment;
  • Adapting NATO cyber and intelligence capabilities;
  • Collaborating and protecting – International law and international partnerships; and
  • Educating: training and education of NATO Allies and Partners.

On episode 13 of the Open Perspectives Exchange Network Echoes podcast, the aforementioned authors of the “Integrating Gender Perspectives in Cognitive Warfare” were interviewed. Dr. Obradovic shared additional insights and wider implications of this area of research by asserting that

“…if we can just start thinking about developing more specific countermeasures such as adopting the women, peace and security and integrating gender perspective into [the] cognitive warfare concept as it is being developed, I think all of that will contribute to a much greater and better situational and cultural awareness and allow NATO societies and democratic nations to tailor their responses in a way that reinforces their national and collective resilience.”

Tune in through the Open Perspectives Exchange Network Echoes podcast series episode 13 (21:48 minutes) to hear more from the authors about this publication.

More information on the integration of gender perspective in NATO’s activities is available on the Allied Command Transformation’s Gender Advisor page.

What is the Open Perspectives Exchange Network project? It is a network that focuses on non-classified human network exchange through academic reports on a wide range of topics. NATO aspires to have persistent 360-degree strategic awareness and foresight in order to anticipate events and continues to search for ways to build practical relationships surrounding matters of mutual interest, with non-NATO actors. This network is a discovery capability that explores the means by which NATO might improve its strategic understanding and ability to anticipate adversarial actions, while enhancing NATO’s ability to work with non-NATO entities and non-military perspectives. It aims to produce alternative and even thought-provoking views that are of interest to the Alliance.

You can send your thoughts about the Open Perspectives Exchange Network publication on Integrating Gender Perspective in Cognitive Warfare by emailing: [email protected].

Disclaimer: Open Perspectives Exchange Network publications are produced by the Allied Command Transformation Strategic Plans and Policy Branch; however these publications are not formal NATO documents and do not represent the official opinions or positions of NATO or individual nations.