biography

 

 

I am an independent human security and arms control consultant, writer and activist.  I have a rich background in government, academia, and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector.  I received both my Ph.D and BA in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, in the United Kingdom.  I am the founding director of NATO Watch and was formerly Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) (2001-2007) and before that Programme Manager at another UK-based think-tank, Saferworld (1998-2001).  I have expertise in British and US defence and foreign policy, transatlantic security issues, the international arms trade and arms control and disarmament issues and I have made high-level presentations in North America, Europe and South Asia on these issues. I blog for The Guardian’s Comment is Free and I am an advisor to the United Nations Association-UK, Saferworld and ISIS Europe (Brussels).  I am also a member of the Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance (ACTA) and Gerson Lehrman Group.

My publications include: The UK Trident Vote Explained, BASIC Note (2007); The Transatlantic Dimension to the Conflict in Lebanon, BASIC Paper No.52 (2006); Foreign Policy in Focus, Taking the Wind Out of the Perfect Geopolitical Storm: Iran and the Crisis over Non-proliferation, Co-author with Paul Ingram (2005); Sailing Into Uncharted Waters? The Proliferation Security Initiative and the Law of the Sea, BASIC Research Report, Co-author with Andreas Persbo (2004); Unravelling the Known Unknowns: Why no Weapons of Mass Destruction have been found in Iraq, BASIC Special Report, Co-author with David Isenberg (2004); Small arms and light weapons in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Report of Expert Group, London: Saferworld (2002); The Regulation of Arms and Dual-Use Exports: Germany, Sweden and the UK, SIPRI/Oxford University Press (2002); Britain in the 21st Century: Rethinking defence and foreign policy, Nottingham: Spokesman, Co-editor with John Gittings (1997)

For further details, please see the publications section of my web site.

EMPLOYMENT

Human Security and Arms Control Consultant, January 2008 to date

Executive Director, British American Security Information Council (BASIC), 2001-Dec 2007

Programme Manager, Arms & Security Programme, Saferworld, 1998-2001

Occasional Lecturer, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK, 1997-1998.

Project Coordinator, Platform for Security, 1995-1997, funded by Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT); part-time. The resulting book, Britain in the 21st Century: Rethinking Defence and Foreign Policy (edited by John Gittings, Foreign Leader-writer at The Guardian, and myself) was published in March 1997 to excellent reviews. The main findings were also presented to the media, political parties and the public prior to the 1997 General Election.

Research Officer, Project on Demilitarisation (ProDem), Leeds, UK, 1992-1995; funded by JRCT, this project set out to advance public education and research in the areas of disarmament, defence economics, the arms industry and diversification. Duties included research, public education and media work.

Researcher, Oxford Research Group (ORG), 1991-1992; part-time. Explored the European mechanisms for collaborative military R&D. The resulting report was published at a press launch in London in November 1992.

Manager and Administrator, HM Customs and Excise, 1976 -1988 and 1991 -1992.
Higher Executive Officer (part-time), based in Liverpool (1991 - 92): Researched and drafted guidance for the public and the Service on VAT retail schemes. Higher Executive Officer, based in London (1985 - 88): Provided guidance and technical advice on general VAT matters (including the evaluation and interpretation of European directives) to the Service, trade bodies and the public; researched and developed policy; dealt with ministerial correspondence and managed other executive staff. Executive Officer (1980 - 85), Clerical Officer (1977 - 80), Clerical Assistant (1976 - 77).

EDUCATION

PhD in Peace Studies, University of Bradford, December 1999. Thesis title: The Regulation of Arms and Dual-Use Exports by EU Member States: A Comparative Analysis of Germany, Sweden and the UK. The research made an original and policy-oriented contribution to the comparative study of arms export controls in Europe. It assessed the impact of reforms in non-proliferation controls for arms and dual-use goods that took place within the European Union during the 1990s, and analysed the reasons for and the wider implications of those reforms. Three case studies of national arms and dual-use export control policies within the UK, Germany and Sweden highlighted the major problems and paradoxes of practical regulatory activity.

BA in Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK. Upper second class honours, 1988 -1991. Electives in International Relations, Arms and Disarmament, International Politics, Political Change in Europe and Social Alternatives.

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