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Matthew Moran

Professor Matthew Moran

Head of the Department of War Studies

  • Professor of International Security

Research interests

  • Conflict
  • International relations
  • Policy
  • Politics
  • Security

Biography

Matthew Moran is Professor of International Security and Head of the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. He also serves as Director of Research for the Department. 

Professor Moran’s research spans a number of areas, ranging from the study of collective disorder and rioting to the study of proliferation behaviour as it relates to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). He also has a strong interest in open source intelligence (OSINT) and related technological developments. Professor Moran’s current work is focused on understanding the dynamics of chemical weapons use in Syria.

Professor Moran’s research has been supported by the British Academy, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the MacArthur Foundation, and various national governments. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary lectureship at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

 Research

  • WMD proliferation and non-proliferation;
  • Proliferation behaviour;
  • Nuclear security;
  • Open source intelligence (OSINT)
  • Riots and public disorder

Teaching

  • Armchair Intelligence: Open Sources and Online Investigation (MA)
  • Proliferation and International Security, (MA)

PhD supervision

I am willing to provide PhD supervision in any of my areas of research interest.

Publications

  • Trust in Nuclear Disarmament Verification (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018) [with Wyn Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy and Christopher Hobbs].
  • Living on the Edge: Iran, Nuclear Hedging and Countering Proliferation (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016) [with Wyn Bowen and Dina Esfandiary].
  • Riots: An International Comparison (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016) [with David Waddington].
  • Open Source Intelligence in the Twenty-First Century: New Approaches and Opportunities (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) [with Christopher Hobbs and Daniel Salisbury].
  • ‘Fusing Algorithms and Analysts: Open-Source Intelligence in the Age of “Big Data”’. Intelligence and National Security 33, no.3 (2018): 391-406, https://doi.org/10.1080/02684527.2017.1406677
  • ‘Terrorism and the banlieues: The Charlie Hebdo Attacks in Context’. Modern and Contemporary France 25, no.3 (2017): 315-332, https://doi.org/10.1080/09639489.2017.1323199

 

Research

it-security-cyber
Cyber Security Research Group

CSRG promotes research into cyber security bringing together experts from diverse disciplines.

Nuclear Security Culture Programme

The Nuclear Security Culture Programme (NSCP) works in partnership with governments and industry around the world to strengthen nuclear security.

Project status: Ongoing

archivepapers
Conflict Records Unit

The Conflict Records Unit specialises in primary sources of contentious, war-related provenance and enduring historical value

mental health conflict hero
Centre for Conflict & Health Research

Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

News

Juliette Pattinson appointed as Professor of War Studies

With over 20 years of experience in academia and having served as the Director of the Division of Arts and Humanities at the University of Kent, Professor...

Juliette Pattinson

War Studies students develop solutions to address national security challenges

As part of the 'Hacking Defence Problems' module, MA students worked with the Ministry of Defence in addressing emerging threats and security challenges,...

Hacking Defence 2

Latest edition of the Nuclear Security Briefing Book (NSBB) published

To reflect latest developments in nuclear security, an updated edition of the Nuclear Security Briefing Book (NSBB) has been published.

Aerial view power plant, combined cycle power plant electricity generating station industry.

Wargaming the Pandemic's Effects

KCL's Wargaming Network explores how novel wargaming methods can help us understand the short and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wargaming the Pandemic's Effects image

Events

08JunPostdoc funding

Postdoc Funding Opportunities [INTERNAL EVENT]

A workshop providing an introduction to postdoctoral funding

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

How are digital sleuths making their mark on the Ukraine war?

MATTHEW MORAN: How is open source intelligence affecting the war in Ukraine?

3623AA25-B90A-4696-82A2-A61C6D0DE561

Brexit and beyond: UK Sanctions Policy

Brexit has the potential to significantly undermine the role and reputation of the UK as an international sanctions actor.

sanctions

Why is the new Global Human Rights Sanctions regime significant?

With Brexit on the horizon, the UK is launching its first major sanctions regime independent of Europe.

Human Rights

Spotlight

Strengthening global nuclear security

War Studies researchers have played a significant role in supporting initiatives around the world to reduce the risks associated with nuclear weapons.

nuclear weapons

Research

it-security-cyber
Cyber Security Research Group

CSRG promotes research into cyber security bringing together experts from diverse disciplines.

Nuclear Security Culture Programme

The Nuclear Security Culture Programme (NSCP) works in partnership with governments and industry around the world to strengthen nuclear security.

Project status: Ongoing

archivepapers
Conflict Records Unit

The Conflict Records Unit specialises in primary sources of contentious, war-related provenance and enduring historical value

mental health conflict hero
Centre for Conflict & Health Research

Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

News

Juliette Pattinson appointed as Professor of War Studies

With over 20 years of experience in academia and having served as the Director of the Division of Arts and Humanities at the University of Kent, Professor...

Juliette Pattinson

War Studies students develop solutions to address national security challenges

As part of the 'Hacking Defence Problems' module, MA students worked with the Ministry of Defence in addressing emerging threats and security challenges,...

Hacking Defence 2

Latest edition of the Nuclear Security Briefing Book (NSBB) published

To reflect latest developments in nuclear security, an updated edition of the Nuclear Security Briefing Book (NSBB) has been published.

Aerial view power plant, combined cycle power plant electricity generating station industry.

Wargaming the Pandemic's Effects

KCL's Wargaming Network explores how novel wargaming methods can help us understand the short and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wargaming the Pandemic's Effects image

Events

08JunPostdoc funding

Postdoc Funding Opportunities [INTERNAL EVENT]

A workshop providing an introduction to postdoctoral funding

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

How are digital sleuths making their mark on the Ukraine war?

MATTHEW MORAN: How is open source intelligence affecting the war in Ukraine?

3623AA25-B90A-4696-82A2-A61C6D0DE561

Brexit and beyond: UK Sanctions Policy

Brexit has the potential to significantly undermine the role and reputation of the UK as an international sanctions actor.

sanctions

Why is the new Global Human Rights Sanctions regime significant?

With Brexit on the horizon, the UK is launching its first major sanctions regime independent of Europe.

Human Rights

Spotlight

Strengthening global nuclear security

War Studies researchers have played a significant role in supporting initiatives around the world to reduce the risks associated with nuclear weapons.

nuclear weapons