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Philip Berry

Dr Philip Berry

Visiting Senior Lecturer

Biography

Dr Philip A. Berry is a Visiting Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies, King's College London. Outside of academia, he is a consultant focusing on the international narcotics trade and serious and organised crime.

Prior to this role, Philip was a counter-narcotics official at the UK Home Office, working for the Afghanistan Serious and Organised Crime team, before being seconded to the Synthetic Opioids Taskforce Secretariat. He was also a policy official at the Ministry of Defence.

Philip was previously a Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, where his principal research examined Anglo–American counter-narcotics policies in Afghanistan, the history of the UK’s international anti-drug campaign, and UK and US foreign and security policy.

Philip's work has been published in The International History Review, Diplomacy & Statecraft, Defence Studies, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Contemporary British History, World Politics Review, The Conversation and on the RUSI website, amongst other places.

His book, The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011 was selected as part of Choice’s prestigious Outstanding Academic Titles list for 2020.

His commentary about the illegal narcotics industry has featured in numerous media outlets, including The Financial Times, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, Nikkei Asia, and The Huck Magazine.

Philip holds a PhD in contemporary history from the University of Dundee, an MLitt from the University of Aberdeen, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Dundee.

Research interests

  • Afghanistan
  • Counter-Narcotics Policy
  • Anglo-American Relations
  • UK Foreign and Security Policy

Teaching

  • National Security Studies MA

Publications

Book

Book Chapter

Journal Articles

Reports

  • Philip A. Berry, John Cuddiy and Antonio Valverde, Findings of the Expert Working Group on Criminal Networks Involved in Cocaine Trafficking from South America to the Balkan Region and Europe (Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2025 forthcoming).
  • Philip A. Berry and John Cuddiy, Findings of the Expert Working Group on Criminal Networks Involved in Opiate and Methamphetamine Trafficking from Afghanistan to the Balkan Region and Europe (Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2025 forthcoming).
  • Philip A. Berry, Findings of the Expert Working Group on Criminal Networks Involved in Opiate and Methamphetamine Trafficking from Afghanistan along the Northern and Southern Caucasus routes (Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2025 forthcoming).
  • John Gearson, Philip A. Berry, Joe Devanny, Nina Musgrave, The Whole Force by Design: Optimising Defence to Meet Future Challenges (London: King’s College London/Serco Institute, 2020).

Commentary

Research

War studies 2
Centre for Defence Studies

CDS is a world-leading Centre for Defence and security research, thought-leadership, consultancy and executive development run by director Professor John Gearson.

News

War Studies Lecturer's book listed in Choice Outstanding Academic Titles for 2020

Dr Philip A Berry’s book has been selected as part of Choice’s prestigious Outstanding Academic Titles list for 2020.

PhilipBerrybooklaunch

Events

12Nov

Book Launch: The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011

A discussion with Dr Philip A Berry on his newest book on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

The Review and International Development

Dr Joe Devanny and Dr Philip A. Berry

HERO IR Essay 1800x500

Research

War studies 2
Centre for Defence Studies

CDS is a world-leading Centre for Defence and security research, thought-leadership, consultancy and executive development run by director Professor John Gearson.

News

War Studies Lecturer's book listed in Choice Outstanding Academic Titles for 2020

Dr Philip A Berry’s book has been selected as part of Choice’s prestigious Outstanding Academic Titles list for 2020.

PhilipBerrybooklaunch

Events

12Nov

Book Launch: The War on Drugs and Anglo-American Relations: Lessons from Afghanistan, 2001-2011

A discussion with Dr Philip A Berry on his newest book on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

The Review and International Development

Dr Joe Devanny and Dr Philip A. Berry

HERO IR Essay 1800x500