The Political and Sociological Implications of European Security Cooperation: The Merging of Counter-Terrorism, Migration and Border-Control Policy

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In Europe, over the past decade, new and complex security threat, including the growth of organised crime and the threat from radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism, have begun to emerge. These threats that have led European policymakers to highlight the need for closer cooperation, in the field of security, between the European Union (EU), EU member states and third countries. In response to these issues the EU has moved to develop its capabilities in a set of policy-areas that are becoming increasingly interlinked, including counter-terrorism, travel, migration and border control. In developing policies in these important areas, the EU and its member states have begun to embrace precautionary and/or pre-emptive security practices based upon strategies of risk profiling, including surveillance of the various populations from which these security threats are thought to emerge.

This project is therefore concerned, broadly, with the sociological dimension of European security cooperation, and specifically, new forms of preemptive, data-driven security practice that are characteristic of the contemporary European security field. The aims of the research are three-fold. First, to chart the historical development of pre-emptive security practices in Europe in the following areas: migration and border control, travel and internal border management, counter-terrorism and/or counter-radicalisation. Second, to critically assess the extent to which counter-terrorism, migration control, travel and border-management are becoming interlinked policy areas, including the political and social implications of these developments. Third, to investigate the proportionality, legitimacy and effectiveness of the security policies in these areas. It is envisaged that the project proposal will engage with the various actors, and other stakeholders, who play a key role in the development of these policies, including European Union policy-makers, officials from EU member states/third countries and representatives from the private sector.

Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project:

In order to be eligible to apply, you must have a first/undergraduate Honours degree, with an Upper Second Class or a First Class grade, in a relevant subject, for example, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Sociology or Criminology. You must also hold or expect to obtain, a UK Master’s degree (or equivalent according to NARIC) with a minimum of a merit/commendation in a relevant subject, for example, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Sociology or Criminology. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5.

This studentship competition is open to applicants who wish to study for a PhD on a full-time basis only. The studentship will pay UK/EU fees (currently set at £4,195 for 2017/18 and are revised annually) and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (this is revised annually and is currently set at £14,553 for the academic year 2017/18) for up to three years. Applications from non-EU students are welcome, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2017/18 are £12,900 for non-EU students and £4,195 for UK/EU students). The studentships will be expected to commence in October 2018.