Senior Lecturer in Modern History
I joined Queen Mary in 2009. I have worked primarily in the spheres of modern British and Irish history until now. I also have a burgeoning interest in Anglo-US foreign policy and its role in the development of the modern Middle East and the politics of Islamism.
Research
The main focus of my previous research has been the strategy, ideology and culture of Irish republican groups. I have also considered the response of the British State to such groups, with specific reference to the conflict in Northern Ireland. And more recently, I have expanded my focus to consider other analogous movements, particularly in the Middle East. My research interests include:
- Irish Republicanism
- The use of political violence and its use by non-State actors
- State responses to anti-State challenges
- The emergence of Islamism in the twentieth century
- The functioning of the late British Empire, particularly with reference to Egypt
Undergraduate teaching
Postgraduate teaching
Postgraduate supervision
I welcome applications from candidates wishing to undertake doctoral research in the following areas:
- The conflict in Northern Ireland
- The use of political violence
- The culture of terrorist/insurgent/subversive groups
- State responses to subversive/violent challenges
Publications
Books:
- Legion of the Rearguard: Dissident Irish Republicanism (Irish Academic Press: Dublin, 2010) ISBN-13: 978-0716530558
- The Long March: The Political Strategy of Sinn Fein 1981-2007 (Palgrave Macmillan: London, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-0230202177.
- Talking to Terrorists: The search for peace in Northern Ireland and the Basque country (Hurst and Co.: London; and Colombia University Press: New York, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-1850659662. [co-authored with Dr. John Bew and Inigo Gurruchaga]
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Books:
- ‘Between “Engagement” and a “Values-Led” Approach: Britain and the Muslim Brotherhood from 9/11 to the Arab Spring’, in Lorenzo Vidino (ed.), Western Governments and Political Islam after 2011 (Al Mesbar: Dubai, 2013) [co-authored with Shiraz Maher]
- ‘Agents and Ambushes’: Britain’s “Dirty War” in Northern Ireland, in Samy Cohen (ed.), Democracies at War against Terrorism: A Comparative Perspective (Palgrave Macmillan: New York, 2008).
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals:
- “‘Don’t mention the war!’ Debating the notion of a ‘stalemate’ in Northern Ireland”, Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, 40, 2, June 2012, pp. [co-authored with Dr. John Bew]
- ‘Dissident Irish Republican Violence: A Resurgent Threat?’, The Political Quarterly, 83, 2, April-June 2012, pp. 227-37
- ‘Debating the “Stalemate”: A Response to Dr. Dixon’, The Political Quarterly, 83, 2, April-June 2012, pp. 277-82.
- “Embuscades et agents secrets: la <<sale guerre>> des Britanniques en Irlande du Nord”, Critique Internationale, 41, (Octobre-Décembre 2008)
- “Sinn Féin and the European Arena: ‘Ourselves Alone’ or ‘Critical Engagement’?”, Irish Studies in International Affairs, 16 (2005)
- “‘Squaring the Circle’: The Foreign Policy of Sinn Féin, 1983-89”, Irish Political Studies, 19,2 (Winter 2004)
Pamphlets/Reports:
- The Return of the Militants: Dissident Irish Republican Violence, 2009-10 (for the International Centre for the Study of Political Violence at King’s College, University of London, October 2010)
- Choosing our Friends Wisely: Criteria for engagement with Muslim groups (Policy Exchange: London, 2009)
- Talking to Terrorists: The Myths, Misconceptions and Misapplications of the Northern Ireland Peace Process: Jerusalem Viewpoints, no. 566 (August-September, 2008) [co-authored with Dr. John Bew]
Appearances in the media
I have written and appeared in various media outlets discussing my work. These have included:
- Parliamentary Brief
- The Daily Telegraph
- BBC Radio 4 Today
- BBC World Service
- BBC Newsnight –you can view the report on YouTube
- Radio Ulster
- ABC Good Morning America
- SBS Dateline-you can view the report on YouTube
- CNN
- Reuters
- El Correo
- El Publico