PhD in Security and Intelligence Studies

Program Overview

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BUCSIS

has a vibrant programme of active research currently being undertaken in a range of security and intelligence issues, involving both the UK and overseas.

We are always looking for interesting new research proposals, and prospective candidates are welcome to approach Professor Richards with ideas in the first instance, by emailing julian.richards@buckingham.ac.uk

.

Some of our current research projects include:

Muhammad Tahir Mahmood is researching the judicial system, security and intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism in Pakistan under the question of “The Role of the Judicial System and Law Enforcement Agencies in Combating Terrorism”

Bryony Norburn is working on intelligence history and Bletchley Park, researching the role that women played at Bletchley Park during the Second World War.

Richard Hallows is researching cybersecurity policy in the UK.

Diva Patang Wardak is conducting an evaluation of Afghanistan’s new intelligence agency, the NDS.

Andreja Bogdanovski is currently examining the reasons behind states’ involvement in the process of securing ecclesiastical independence in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with special reference to the churches in North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine.

Awwal Isa is investigating how academia could bolster professionalism in the Nigerian intelligence community

Fidel Abowei is exploring the potency of soft power as a tool of statecraft in inter-African relations and how likely it is to yield tangible foreign policy outcomes

About BUCSIS

BUCSIS

was established in 2008 as a world-class centre for research into the key Security and Intelligence issues facing the UK and the world in the 21st century. The Centre is headed by a leading academic in the field, Professor Anthony Glees

, and is supported by a research and teaching team led by Dr Julian Richards, a Security Studies specialist with a long experience of working in the UK government on defence and security policy issues.  More information about BUCSIS.

See also:

Recent testimonials from BUCSIS students

Read about what the BUCSIS teaching team has been working on (Summer 2017)

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Successful graduates

2012

Megan Munroe (PhD):

A morphological analysis of sporting mega-even security policy

Randy Wilson (PhD):

Police intelligence in a counter-insurgency.

Read more about Randy’s experiences

.

2014

Twana Bawa (PhD):

The privatisation of security in the Kurdish region of Iraq

2016

Eugene Eji (PhD):

Terrorism in Nigeria: Threats, responses and strategy

Tony Percy (PhD):

Liberal Democracy under Stress: the Oxford Mind and the Threat of Totalitarianism

Edmar Salem (PhD):

Female Suicide Bombers: a Comparative Study of Public Attitudes within the Conflicts of Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and Sri Lanka

Giles Wollenmann (PhD):

Liberal Intolerance: Applying Borum’s phase model to help identify an in-group’s susceptibility towards ideological development

Mohamed Salem (PhD):

Iran and Threat Perception in the Arabian Gulf: A Case Study of the UAE

2019

Olamide Samuel (PhD):

Analysis of national security culture in Nigeria

View all PhD programmes.

Program Outline

Teaching & Assessment

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Quality supervision

The aim of the Research Programme is to help students develop the following: a) a systematic and in-depth understanding in the subject area of choice of research by the student; b) the critical skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and related issues; c) To give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project at Level 7 of writing; d) research skills necessary to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities; e) To develop research skills necessary to display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of other authors in the subject.

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High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research

. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

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Supervisory methods

Candidates spend a considerable part of their studies undertaking supervised research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research. This thesis must demonstrate familiarity with, and an understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities. It should display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the judgements of others. The subject should be dealt with in a competent and scholarly manner. In addition to this:

1. All postgraduate research students are required to take the Research Methods Course.
2. All postgraduate research students must attend supervisory meetings
3. All postgraduate research students must attend any other training required to assist with the completion of the PhD.