Research Interests
My research interests revolve around questions of state-society relations, governance, political economy,
sovereignty and intervention, particularly in postcolonial countries.
Working in the tradition of critical, historical-sociological approaches in International Relations, my work draws out
the importance of domestic and transnational social conflict and political economy for international politics. I focus on
the ways in which conflict between social classes and other societal groups generates different forms of state,
regime, and foreign policy, including different forms of intervention. I also study how intervention impacts on social
conflict, creating new contradictions and alliances that change political outcomes in target states. My work has been
particularly influenced by the critical political economy approach pioneered at the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch
University in Australia, and the state theory of Bob Jessop and Nicos Poulantzas. I am also becoming increasingly
interested in the insights offered by political geography.
My recent research investigates the interventions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in
Cambodia, East Timor and Burma from the 1960s onwards. Attacking the overwhelming scholarly and journalistic
consensus on ASEAN as a group of states that never interferes in any other states' internal affairs, I argue that
ASEAN has indeed intervened, both within ASEAN and without, often very seriously and with sometimes devastating
consequences. I have recently finished a book manuscript on this topic.
I have also produced a study of democratisation and foreign policy making in Southeast Asia which tried to account
for the limits of liberal-democratic influences on foreign policy, despite the formally democratic nature of many of the
region’s regimes. I have also completed an article on state-building in East Timor which tries to introduce the notion
of social conflict as a normal part of the development of states and understands UN-led state-building efforts through
its impact on this conflict.
My current research activities are:
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a joint project on ‘Securitisation and the Governance of Non-Traditional Security in Southeast Asia and the
Southwest Pacific’ with Dr Shahar Hameiri of Murdoch University, Australia
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a major project on the ways in which international economic sanctions work (or do not work) to effect regime
change.
Research Funding
In 2010 I was awarded £4,000 by the Westfield Trust for a project on ‘Securitisation and the Governance of Non-
Traditional Security in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific’.
PhD Supervision
I would be delighted to supervise doctoral theses in the following areas:
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the international politics of Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific
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the politics of sovereignty and intervention
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international sanctions
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historical sociology, historical materialism, and international relations
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state-society relations and international politics.
I am happy to discuss ideas with prospective students - please email me with a short (say, 6-page) research
proposal and your CV. However, for procedural information on how to apply for doctoral studies at Queen Mary,
please see the department’s webpage.
My current PhD students are:
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Boonwara Sumano (second supervisor) Topic: Labour liberalisation in ASEAN
Media Expertise
I have written articles for and been interviewed by journalists from local, national and international print and
broadcast media, including The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Associated Press, BBC radio, MalaysiaKini,
Ireland’s Talk Radio, London’s Colourful Radio, and others.
My research background allows me to comment on areas including:
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International politics in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific
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Domestic politics in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on Burma/ Myanmar, East Timor, Cambodia,
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International intervention.
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British domestic and foreign policy
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Environmentalism and international development
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