![](https://www.kcl.ac.uk/siteelements/2017/images/default-pic.jpg?f=webp)
Keith Beaven
Visiting Research Fellow
Biography
Biography
Keith served in the Foreign Office from 1983 until 2016, focusing on counter-terrorism from 2007 onward. He was Director Counter Terrorism from 2012-2016, sitting on the CONTEST board and managing overseas CT effort during a period of intense challenge in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Prior to this he had postings in Mexico, Pretoria and Oslo, and worked in London on Africa, Counter-Proliferation and policy for the Intelligence Services Act among other issues.
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Organising effective effort against terrorism and violent extremism.
- The complexities of international efforts to cooperate against terrorism, including human rights aspects.
- Security Sector change and reform, particularly in response to or in the aftermath of conflict.
- Management of security risk, both in a crisis and longer term.
- What stops terrorists being more successful?
Research
![KISGhero](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/kisghero.x8b7fd5f2.png?w=1397&h=440&crop=780,440,309,0&width=380&height=215&fit=crop&f=webp)
King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence
King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence provides a platform for sharing research and ideas in the field of intelligence.
Events
![](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/doors-1767563-1920.x78119e9d.jpg?w=825&h=440&crop=780,440,23,0&f=webp)
Conversations with Strategy featuring Keith Beaven on terrorism and extremism
Keith Beaven is a former Foreign Office employee, specialising in counter-terrorism across the world
Please note: this event has passed.
![](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/SSSResConNatIntSec.x3a3cfa0c.jpg?crop=780,440,0,5&f=webp)
Warning, risk, and resilience
National & International Security panel event for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.
Please note: this event has passed.
Research
![KISGhero](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/kisghero.x8b7fd5f2.png?w=1397&h=440&crop=780,440,309,0&width=380&height=215&fit=crop&f=webp)
King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence
King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence provides a platform for sharing research and ideas in the field of intelligence.
Events
![](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/doors-1767563-1920.x78119e9d.jpg?w=825&h=440&crop=780,440,23,0&f=webp)
Conversations with Strategy featuring Keith Beaven on terrorism and extremism
Keith Beaven is a former Foreign Office employee, specialising in counter-terrorism across the world
Please note: this event has passed.
![](/newimages/sspp/Security/generalschool/feature-800-430/SSSResConNatIntSec.x3a3cfa0c.jpg?crop=780,440,0,5&f=webp)
Warning, risk, and resilience
National & International Security panel event for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.
Please note: this event has passed.