Overview

Introduction

Leadership plays a significant role in both development and security processes and outcomes. Our Leadership Studies with reference to Security & Development PhD programme offers the opportunity to gain the knowledge and expertise to address some of the world's most pressing security and development challenges through advanced research on leadership, governance and peacebuilding.

You will explore the relationship between leadership, security and development through original doctoral research, with a particular focus on developing countries. You will examine how leadership influences peacebuilding, governance, conflict and development outcomes using interdisciplinary theories and approaches. Based in the African Leadership Centre, you will benefit from specialist supervision, advanced research training and access to expertise across King's College London. The programme will equip you with advanced analytical, research and leadership skills for careers in academia, policy, government, NGOs and international organisations.

Recent research projects

China’s Role in African Development: transforming development lessons into development catalysts
The practice of leadership: analysing practitioners’ reflections on peacebuilding
Resilience innovation: studying resilience to violence and insecurity in Africa
Climate, energy transitions and their implications for leadership, security and development
Decolonial and creative-based approaches to knowledge production

Key benefits

Draw on interdisciplinary expertise, enabling you to shape a doctoral project that integrates perspectives from leadership studies, politics, security, international development and related fields. Supervision may be provided from within the African Leadership Centre or jointly with other faculty within King's.

Join a vibrant research environment for research on leadership, security, peacebuilding and development in Africa and beyond.

Access extensive academic networks and research opportunities, including seminars, conferences, workshops and events across the faculty and wider King's community.

Enhance your professional and research skills through specialist training offered by the King's Doctoral College and the London Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Training Partnership (LISS-DTP) supporting your development for careers in academia, policy and beyond.

Who is this programme for?

This programme is for researchers who want to examine how leadership shapes peace, security, governance and development. It welcomes applicants from leadership studies, politics, international relations, development, security studies, sociology, law or related fields, alongside experienced practitioners investigating questions arising from policy or practice. Your project should fit the expertise available within the African Leadership Centre and demonstrate potential for an original contribution to your field(s) of study