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Alex Clarkson

Dr Alex Clarkson

Lecturer in German and European & International Studies

Research interests

  • History

Biography

Born in Canada, after completing his schooling in Hanover, Germany, Alexander Clarkson studied Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford. After graduating in 2000, he went on to complete his doctorate at the University of Oxford in September 2006. He also taught for a year as a Lecturer in Modern History at New College, Oxford, before joining the European and International Studies Department at King’s College London in 2007.

Research Expertise and PhD Supervision

  • European borders
  • Migration studies
  • German politics
  • Contemporary history

Alexander Clarkson’s research and teaching involve two core areas of focus. The first examines the impact transnational diaspora communities have had on the politics of Germany and Europe after 1945. This includes particular focus on how diasporas connected to Ukraine, Algeria, Iran, Croatia, Turkey, Syria, Libya and Lebanon have generated interactions between the politics of their countries of origin with the politics of their countries of settlement in the European Union.

The second area of focus is on how the European Union’s border system has involved an increased emphasis on militarisation that has affected its relationship with neighbouring states in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Maghreb and Sahel regions.

Alexander welcomes applications for PhD topics related to any of his research interests.

Teaching

Alexander Clarkson’s teaching covers the history of Germany in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as well as the emergence of the European Union’s border system. His modules focus on how social and territorial change affects political and military developments on the local, national and supra-national levels. Other key issues that are explored in his courses include the impact of mass immigration and the continuing political debate over European identity.

Undergraduate modules:

  • 4AAOB109 The Making of Modern Europe: Historical, Political and Sociological Approaches
  • 4AAOB122 The Emergence of the Modern German State
  • 6AAOB326 Immigration Identity and the Securitization of Europe’s Borders

    Research

    critical european
    The Critical European Studies Research Group

    This interdisciplinary research group in the Department of European and International Studies re-examines key concepts in Europe through a shared lens of critical theory. 

    European Foreign resized
    The European Foreign Policy Research Group

    The European Foreign Policy group looks at both EU as well as state foreign policies within Europe and their interconnections.

    News

    New book examines influences that have shaped Germany's immigrant communities

    A new book by King’s academic Dr Alex Clarkson sheds light on the cultural and political influences that have shaped the lives of Germany’s myriad immigrant...

    342387-PA9PVN-610

    Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine

    Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...

    ukraine and russia's flags painted on broken concrete

    Breaking Britain returns for a new series

    The third series of the Breaking Britain podcast has officially launched.

    AH-podcase

    Roundtable examines impact of UK breakup on security

    The impact of Scottish independence on security and stability were discussed by an expert panel at a roundtable event hosted by King’s College London.

    IndependenceRound

    Breaking Britain: New podcast looks at future of the United Kingdom

    Is the United Kingdom on an inexorable slide towards break-up?

    Podcast Logo

    Events

    10NovEISwar

    War, Crisis and a Changing Europe

    Part of the thirtieth anniversary series for the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London

    Please note: this event has passed.

    10Octeduard-delputte-soldier-unsplash

    War, crisis and a changing Europe

    Part of the thirtieth anniversary series for the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London

    Please note: this event has passed.

    17MarAfter 16 years in office, Angela Merkel stepped down as Germany’s Chancellor in December 2021

    Stop or Go? The first 100 days of the German traffic light coalition in government

    A panel of experts take stock of the new government’s first 100 days in office.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    What should the policy priorities for the new UK government be once elected?

    Whoever takes up residence in 10 Downing Street after the general election, their in-tray is sure to be full-to-bursting.

    election header image

    Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine

    Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...

    ukraine russia banner size

      Research

      critical european
      The Critical European Studies Research Group

      This interdisciplinary research group in the Department of European and International Studies re-examines key concepts in Europe through a shared lens of critical theory. 

      European Foreign resized
      The European Foreign Policy Research Group

      The European Foreign Policy group looks at both EU as well as state foreign policies within Europe and their interconnections.

      News

      New book examines influences that have shaped Germany's immigrant communities

      A new book by King’s academic Dr Alex Clarkson sheds light on the cultural and political influences that have shaped the lives of Germany’s myriad immigrant...

      342387-PA9PVN-610

      Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine

      Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...

      ukraine and russia's flags painted on broken concrete

      Breaking Britain returns for a new series

      The third series of the Breaking Britain podcast has officially launched.

      AH-podcase

      Roundtable examines impact of UK breakup on security

      The impact of Scottish independence on security and stability were discussed by an expert panel at a roundtable event hosted by King’s College London.

      IndependenceRound

      Breaking Britain: New podcast looks at future of the United Kingdom

      Is the United Kingdom on an inexorable slide towards break-up?

      Podcast Logo

      Events

      10NovEISwar

      War, Crisis and a Changing Europe

      Part of the thirtieth anniversary series for the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London

      Please note: this event has passed.

      10Octeduard-delputte-soldier-unsplash

      War, crisis and a changing Europe

      Part of the thirtieth anniversary series for the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London

      Please note: this event has passed.

      17MarAfter 16 years in office, Angela Merkel stepped down as Germany’s Chancellor in December 2021

      Stop or Go? The first 100 days of the German traffic light coalition in government

      A panel of experts take stock of the new government’s first 100 days in office.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      What should the policy priorities for the new UK government be once elected?

      Whoever takes up residence in 10 Downing Street after the general election, their in-tray is sure to be full-to-bursting.

      election header image

      Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine

      Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...

      ukraine russia banner size