Understanding Buddhist Nationalism In the context of Myanmar's political opening since March 2011, Buddhist activism has made headlines over the past two years due to outbreaks of communal violence across the country marked by religious difference, that threaten to derail Myanmar's once-promising transition. Many see a connection between these violent episodes and the rise of new Buddhist networks and organizations, including the 969 and MaBaTha movements. However, aspects of the conflict connected to religious identity are poorly understood and research on this topic needs to carefully address the ways in which anti-Muslim actions are difficult to separate from pro-Buddhist impulses. Equally important is the intersection between religious identities and gender, as much of the nationalist discourse focuses on the protection of women as a way of protecting both Buddhism and the nation. A critical aspect of this approach is to take seriously the fears and perceptions of different groups to understand how they shape attitudes towards others and towards religious and national identity.  This 2.5 year research project seeks to critically assess and disaggregate the category of "Buddhist nationalism" in Myanmar by focusing on two complementary aspects of the phenomenon: the production, dissemination, and resonance of narratives that potentially justify violence by positing a Muslim threat to Buddhism and the Burmese nation; and the gendered discourse of nationalism, produced through nationalist rhetoric and both reinforced and contested via the perspectives of women who, respectively, support and oppose it. First, what is the rhetorical and ideational content of this discourse of Muslim threat, driven especially by monks? Which political, religious, and cultural narratives (at local, regional, and global levels) do they employ and how do these resonate with Buddhists in Myanmar? How do these discussions reconfigure categories such as "Buddhist" or "patriot"? What are the potential counter-narratives that monastic and civil society actors are and should be putting forward in response?  The second component of the project considers the complex gendered elements of this discourse. Buddhist nationalist agitation in Myanmar has often focused on the protection of women and concerns regarding women's role as re-producers of the nation have motivated laws to protect them from the presumably predatory actions of non-Buddhist men. However, the narratives from women themselves present a more nuanced picture of their threat perceptions and how they see their role(s) vis-à-vis the religion, the nation and nationalist groups. In drawing on women's narratives, the project will also identify alternative articulations of religious, ethnic, or national identity that might challenge or complicate the current dominant anti-Muslim sentiment.  These research questions will be explored through assembling a database of sermons, speeches, and written materials from Buddhist and nationalist groups; monitoring media reporting on religious conflict; interviews with key actors in the Myanmar government, religious hierarchy, and civil society; and more detailed ethnographic study in particular places to better understand the production, resonance, and evaluation of nationalist narratives.  In the rapidly-changing political environment of Myanmar, the project will make immediate and regular contributions in the form of bi-annual policy briefs distributed to and discussed with religious and civil society actors, governments, foundations, and other international actors supporting these groups. By also analyzing the rhetoric and methods of those working to reduce religious violence, this study can gauge the effectiveness of their work and assist them in crafting campaigns that respond directly to the logic employed by those who are spreading inter-religious strife. The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) supports cutting-edge research to address challenges faced by developing countries. The fund addresses the UN sustainable development goals. It aims to maximise the impact of research and innovation to improve lives and opportunity in the developing world.