Dr Gordon Clubb

Dr Gordon Clubb

Profile

I started at the University of Leeds as Lecturer in International Security in 2014 and over this time I have taught and researched on the subjects of terrorism, conflict, international relations and security. 

I am a research fellow for the German Institute for Radicalization and De-Radicalization Studies (GIRDS), through which I am currently providing training and consultation on an organisation’s de-radicalisation programme. I am also on the editorial board for the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (The Hague) and Studies in Conflict and Terrorism journal.

My book on Terrorism and Political Violence provides an insight into the key debates within the subject area through a mix of original research and overviews of the cutting-edge state of the field.

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Responsibilities

  • Co-Director for Postgraduate Research Studies

Research interests

I have written extensively on the topic of de-radicalisation in terms of how it should be conceptualised, its core ontological assumptions on the causal role of ideology, and the importance of public perceptions in facilitating re-integration. 

My current research project focuses on the (public/media) perceptions of de-radicalisation re-integration programmes. I have recently written on how the media frames de-radicalisation with a view to understanding support for the intervention, specifically factors that influence support for the re-integration of programme participants. I have also researched on i) the potential role of former extremists/combatants in countering violent extremism, and ii) the causal role of ideology from a critical realist perspective. 

I have also written on the role of former combatants in conflict transformation and peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. Recently, I have written a policy brief which maps out when and how formers should be used in CVE and conflict transformation interventions.

I am interested in supervising PhDs and dissertations in all of these areas, including some of the following topics:

  • Transparency, Public Communication (PR) and counter-terrorism/de-radicalisation/reintegration
  • Whether former combatants and former extremists should be used in conflict transformation and/or CVE;
  • The role of ideology in terrorism engagement and disengagement (potentially in relation to the work of Margaret Archer);
  • The conceptualisation of de-radicalisation and de-radicalisation as a discourse;
  • DDR and the re-integration of programme participants, specifically from the re-integrating community side and what facilitates support for re-integration;
  • De-radicalisation and CVE programmes – are they necessary, are they counter-productive, how can they be evaluated etc.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Research groups and institutes

  • Centre for Global Security Challenges

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>The school welcomes enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>