Nigel is a part-time PhD student in the Department of War Studies, where he researches how geopolitical dynamics, threat perception, and human rights affect the degree of cooperation within the UK’s international counterterrorism partnerships.

He holds an undergraduate degree in Civil & Structural Engineering and French from the University of Sheffield, as well as a master’s degree in Intelligence and Security from the University of Leicester.

Nigel spent his early career serving as an EOD officer in the British Army before moving into the defence and international development sectors, including over 18 years working across Africa and the Middle East. During this period, he gained extensive knowledge in intelligence diplomacy, strategic communications, counterterrorism capacity-building, and international relations.

Alongside his academic studies, Nigel works as a senior defence advisor, mainly specialising in NATO policy and strategy development, as well as a subject matter expert in strategic communications.

Research Interests

• Intelligence Power and Diplomacy

• International counterterrorism

• The role of HUMINT

• Information Operations/Strategic Communications

• Intelligence Studies