School of Social Sciences – School
Funded
Broad Area of ResearchPolitics and International Relations
Important note: all applications for the project described below must be
accompanied by a research proposal formulated by the applicant which should
be between 1,000 words and no longer than 2,000 words (including reference
list). Proposals should (1) identify the proposed research supervisor from the list
shown below, and (2) give details of your proposed research project. The
proposal should be clearly aligned to the PhD topics listed below.
1. Dr Ros Hague - The Human Subject and Attitudes to Nature.
2. Dr Liam McCarthy - A Critical Analysis of the challenges to the transition
from State Owned to Private Owned Enterprises in Modernising states.
3. Dr Chris Baker-Beall - A Critical Analysis of Counter-Radicalisation Policy in
Europe and/or the Middle East.
4. Dr Imad El-Anis - The Political Economy of Energy Security and Nuclear
Energy Proliferation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
5. Professor Matt Henn - Young people and political (dis)engagement.
1.
Dr Ros Hague - The Human Subject and Attitudes to
Nature.
There is a vast body of literature on sustainability, climate change and the environment in
a variety of fields (environmental science, architecture, green political thought and
environmental ethics to name but a few) yet many of these approaches whilst of great
importance are somewhat broad and mechanistic. This project seeks to explore some of
the theoretical and ethical issues which lie behind people’s willingness to engage with the
serious environmental issues we face in the 21 st century. As such, the key focus of the
project will be the human attitude to nature, how this has evolved and how it manifests
itself today. If we can better understand the human attitude to the natural world, how we
as humans conceptualise our presence in nature (for example are we part of it or separate
from it?) then we can better understand how pro-environmental behaviours can be
encouraged. If we can learn to appreciate our natural environment more and better
understand our place in it then we will do more to prevent its misuse and destruction.
Research Aims
There are therefore two broad aims to the project:
1.
To explore what we actually think about not only each other but other
animals, the landscape, the way in which the land is cultivated.
2.
To understand how these attitudes are formed, developed and reinforced in
our society.
Research design
Given that human attitudes to nature have been formed over time, this project can be
approached from a number of angles, theoretical or empirical. Theoretically, it can engage
with contemporary theoretical debates in the arena of environmental values including
gender and the environment, or it can add to the emergent literature on Canonical
thinkers’ views of the human presence in the natural world and what we can learn from
that. Empirically, it can be based on an examination of the values and beliefs of existing
individuals and communities, perhaps of those who live and/or work with nature or those
who are specifically engaged with environmental projects. Such environmental projects
could include experiments in sustainable living such as permaculture but could
alternatively look at fictional representations of this – imagining life in harmony with nature
and exploring possible achievable situations.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact: Dr Ros Hague at
ros.hague@ntu.ac.uk
2.
Dr Liam McCarthy - A Critical Analysis of the challenges
to the transition from State Owned to Private Owned
Enterprises in Modernising states.
Many European states are making the transformation from modern to post-modern state
types and face the numerous challenges of bureaucratising and reframing power to suit
the changing political environment. In Post-modern states power is diluted into a plurality
of forms, decentralising this power in order to achieve accountability and transparency, as
well cost effectiveness and efficiency. Such transitions are evident in all aspects of public
life: political, social and economic. In a post-modern regime type economic activity has
been externalised to such a degree that direct state involvement is abnormal, as
disengagement occurred earlier in the development process. Such a disassociation
between economic and political life has been imposed to avoid corruption, as well as ensure
best practice as driven by market pressure.
This project explores the dual tensions at play in pre-modern states, firstly to meet the
requirements of statehood as established by a post-modernising international community.
This puts pressure on governments to behave appropriately and potentially impose a
veneer of post-modernity on a pre-modern system. Secondly, the regime must manage
the expectations of their domestic audiences. Post-colonial states have a fear of losing
control of their destiny, and so they wish to minimise the impact of external forces, even
forces the “developed” world perceives as being favourable or beneficial. As states transfer
from authoritarianism to democracy contradictory behaviour can be manifest, as systems
seek to both curtail the power, influence and reach of the state, challenging and
scrutinising their actions. Whilst at the same time demanding a fully sovereigntised
system. Keeping outside forces from having direct control and influence over domestic
affairs. Irrespective of whether those forces are the market or another state, the desire
to ensure key practices are kept “sovereign” is paramount. As such this project will seek
to examine the challenges faced by the modernising states in Southeast Asia and Europe,
and show how the modernising process in these states, highlight the issues that states
face as they attempt to assimilate into the Post-Modern practices of the globalised world
order.
Research methods: Comparative analysis, cross-national longitudinal study, qualitative
desk-based research, and elite level interviews. This is a co-authored multi-disciplinary
analysis piece which draws from policy analysis, public management, political science and
international studies.
The aims of this project are:




To explore the conceptual history of ‘state-owned-enterprises’, including their
relationship to sovereignty and development.
To investigate the impact of ‘state-owned-enterprises’ on individuals, groups or
communities that are transitioning from ‘colonialism’, and their role in the process
of independence and state building.
To explore the wider implications of ‘state-owned-enterprises’ and the emergence
of ‘military-owned-enterprises’ and their impact on reform, corruption, and
transition to good governance.
To analyse the different relationships that states have with the economic sector,
and how in turn this facilitates effective governance (both economic and political)
at national and international levels.
Research design
It is expected that the candidate will focus on state-owned-enterprises within specific Asian
and European countries. Projects that are a comparative analysis of more than two
countries, expanding into other regions (Middle East, Africa, Latin/South America) are also
welcome, though the primary focus of analysis is Asia and Europe. The nature of the
research is such that either critical or interpretative methods of social inquiry will be
possible. It is expected that the applicant will develop a research design that is wellmatched to the project aims.
Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Candidates must have a suitable background in a relevant social science discipline, such
as politics, sociology, psychology, social policy, philosophy, etc. The candidate must have
experience with the relevant research methodologies proposed.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact: Dr Liam McCarthy at
liam.mccarthy@ntu.ac.uk
3.
Dr Chris Baker-Beall - A Critical Analysis of CounterRadicalisation Policy in Europe and/or the Middle East
Since it first emerged in European policy circles in 2002 the concept of ‘radicalisation’ has
come to form the conventional wisdom for explaining the process by which individuals
become involved in terrorism. In the period since, a clear consensus has arisen that
‘radicalisation’ constitutes a major threat to countries in the West and in the Middle-East
alike. Recent terrorist attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris in
January 2015 and the holiday resort of Sousse in Tunisia in July 2015 have served to
strengthen this perception and bring the concept of ‘radicalisation’ into focus as an
explanation for the causes of these events. In response to terrorist acts of this nature,
governments in Europe and the Middle East have moved to implement new counterterrorism legislation and promote the development of counter-radicalisation programmes.
The project will therefore be concerned with the ways in which states approach,
understand, conceptualise and respond to terrorism through the adoption of counterradicalisation programmes. At risk of simplification there are currently two academic
positions on the utility of the concept of ‘radicalisation’. The first position views
‘radicalisation’ as an important concept that can provide policy-makers with a tool to
prevent terrorism (Neumann, 2013). The second position is much more sceptical of the
concept drawing attention to its weaknesses and the problems that arise from its usage
(Githens-Mazer and Lambert, 2010; Baker-Beall, Heath-Kelly and Jarvis, 2015). The aim
of this project is to explore the development of counter-radicalisation policies in one or
more countries in Europe and/or the Middle-East, including analysis of the wider societal
implications of such policies, from a perspective that adopts a critical approach to the
notion of ‘radicalisation’.
The aims of this project are:
1. To explore the conceptual history of ‘radicalisation’, including its relationship to
counter-radicalisation policy.
2. To investigate the impact of counter-radicalisation on individuals, groups or
communities identified as ‘at risk’ of radicalisation, as a result of demographic,
ethnic, social or other indicators.
3. To explore the wider societal effects of counter-radicalisation discourses, including
an analysis of the impact that counter-radicalisation is having on public sector
professions such as education, health care and social work.
4. To analyse the role the that the discourse of radicalisation is having in terms of
making counter-radicalisation practices possible, legitimate and even desirable in
response to the perceived threat of terrorism.
Research design
It is expected that the candidate will focus on counter-radicalisation policy within a specific
country or countries, either in Europe and/or the Middle-East. Projects that are based upon
a comparative analysis of two or more countries are also welcome. The nature of the
research is such that either critical or interpretative methods of social inquiry will be
possible. It is expected that the applicant will develop a research design that is wellmatched to the project aims.
Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Candidates must have a BA (Hons) and MA degree in one or more of the following subjects:
International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, Politics, and Security Studies.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact: Dr Chris Baker-Beall at
christopher.bakerbeall@ntu.ac.uk
4.
Dr Imad El-Anis - The Political Economy of Energy
Security and Nuclear Energy Proliferation in the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA)
The MENA is often thought of as having a large share of the world’s hydrocarbon supplies
and thus being energy secure. However, this is not the case, as proven hydrocarbon
supplies are concentrated in only some of the region’s states. In short, where
hydrocarbons are concerned, the region is divided between states that are resource
endowed and others that are resource scarce, possessing very little hydrocarbons or none
at all. In this latter group energy security is almost entirely dependent on the importing
of energy supplies from external states – a reality that has traditionally been compounded
by the lack of investment in domestic renewable/alternative energy. Energy insecurity is
an important consideration for non-hydrocarbon producing states in the region.
Urbanisation, industrialisation, globalisation (leading to increased competition for
supplies), economic liberalisation (resulting in laissez-faire practices in the global
hydrocarbon market), and climate change have increased overall demand for energy.
While in the post-Arab Spring era domestic instability, civil war, extremism, and regime
change have undermined the regional supply of energy. Non-hydrocarbon producing states
now face tougher competition for dwindling and less reliable supplies of (regional) energy.
This is compounding existing problems such as underdevelopment, poverty and political
instability, while raising new challenges such as responding to climate change.
Research has shown that energy security is a central concern of many governments in the
MENA. Policy responses have been diverse but two main common approaches have
emerged: the development of domestic energy supplies through 1) renewable energy and
2) nuclear energy. The latter approach is the focus of this project as it has implications
that extend far beyond national energy security. Nuclear energy proliferation in the MENA
has implications for nuclear proliferation in the region and globally – this includes the use
of nuclear technology for weapons programmes. The emerging nuclear energy
programmes in the region have the potential to impact on economic development, poverty,
regime stability, and climate change. But the potential is also there to impact regional and
global nuclear arms races, instability and war. Understanding the political economy of
these nuclear programmes is essential if we are to understand the impacts they will have
in the future. The formulation of policy responses to the proliferation of nuclear energy
programmes in the region will be rely on our appreciating the rationale and directions of
these projects.
Research Aims:
1. To critically analyse the nature of energy security for non-hydrocarbon producing
states in the contemporary MENA.
2. To assess the importance of energy security for the governments of these states.
3. To investigate the policy responses to energy insecurity taken by the governments
of these states.
4. To critically appraise the emerging nuclear energy programmes in non-hydrocarbon
states and analyse their role in promoting energy security.
5. To assess the potential impact of these nuclear energy programmes on broader
nuclear proliferation in the region.
Research Design:
This project will require the use of a number of different methods to collect, analyse and
present evidence/data/information. The successful candidate will be expected to develop
a mixed-method approach that will utilise qualitative methods (e.g. in the analysis of
governmental discourse) and quantitative methods (e.g. in the assessment of energy
demand and supply).
Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Candidates must have a BA (Hons) and MA degree in one or more of the following subjects:
International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, Politics, International Political Economy.
This project will rely on a mixed-methodology so experience with both quantitative and
qualitative methods is required.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact: Dr Imad El-Anis at
imad.el-anis@ntu.ac.uk
5.
Professor Matt Henn - Young people and political
(dis)engagement
In recent years, policy makers have become increasingly concerned that young citizens
are turning their backs on the formal political process in different countries. This unease
has centred primarily on young people’s voting records which are in decline. For instance,
only 44% of 18-24 year olds voted at the 2010 UK General Election, significantly below
the national election turnout average of 65%. This pattern of youth voter disengagement
is common across many advanced democracies, and increasingly across many emergent
democracies. But it is not just in terms of election turnout that young people are
differentiated from their older contemporaries, as evidence suggests that this generation
is particularly dissatisfied with the formal political process.
At the same time, studies indicate that young people are more likely to engage in ‘causeoriented’ styles of politics than they are in ‘formal’ politics - participation that uses less
institutionalised methods such as demonstrations, boycotts, and direct action. This shift in
the way young people are engaging in political activity is increasingly facilitated by access
to new media and technologies.
Project aims
In combination, these developments seem to suggest that mainstream politics has lost its
relevance to the individual, begging the question, what are young people replacing
mainstream politics with in formulating their identities? With this in mind, this project has
two primary aims:


To explore this generation’s practice of politics, including reasons for their apparent
reluctance to play an active role in ‘formal’ mainstream political life, and their
preference for engagement with alternative forms of political participation;
To identify differing patterns of participatory engagement between distinct groups
of young people, and to consider the implications of this participatory disparity.
Research design
The nature of the research is such that either quantitative or qualitative methods, or a
combination of approaches, will be possible. It is expected that the applicant will develop
a research design that is well-matched to the project aims.
The project is not restricted to an examination of UK politics, as studies to be conducted
of young people and political (dis)engagement in other countries will be equally welcome.
Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:
Candidates must have a suitable background in a relevant social science discipline, such
as politics, sociology, psychology, social policy, philosophy, etc. The project is empirical,
so you must have experience with the relevant research methodologies proposed.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact: Professor Matt Henn at
matt.henn@ntu.ac.uk