Alex Tant-Brown
Alex Tant-Brown
LLM, BA, FRSA, AFHEA
Education
Politics PhD - University of Hull
January 2022 - Present
Research looking into counterterrorism and civil liberties. Researching whether counterterrorism can be improved in the UK to be more accommodating of civil liberties.
Research
My research brings together three fields: terrorism, counterterrorism, and civil liberties. The research is centred around the question 'How does counterterrorism complicate the social contract between the government and the citizens in the UK?'. The research stems from the fact that, as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the UK Government have shown that they are willing to significantly curb civil liberties to prevent a sustained and credible threat to life to its citizens.
Teaching
As part of my PhD, I have taught on three modules at the University of Hull: Intelligence and National Security; Modern Strategy; and Small Wars. As part of my teaching I have given lectures, and run tutorials and workshops for undergraduate students. As part of my professional development I aim to undertake more teaching activities throughout my PhD.
Postgraduate Training
As part of my PhD I have engaged in postgraduate training through the University of Hull's Postgraduate Training Scheme. Through this scheme I have completed three modules: The Modern Researcher 1: Essential Skills, Knowledge and Training; Introduction to Qualitatitive and Quantitative Methods; and Professional Practice in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. These three modules provided me with the required number of credits to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training.
Professional Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts
Associate Fellow of Advance Higher Education (formerly the Higher Education Academy)
Early Career Research Membership of the Political Studies Association
Postgraduate Membership of the Royal History Society
LLM Legal and Political Theory - University of York
September 2020 - September 2021
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Classification - Merit
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Specialist Masters course, focusing on the Philosophy of Law and Modern Political Philosophy. Later focussing on constitutional law.
Dissertation
Dissertation investigating the legality of 'locking down'; researching the procedure of the UK lockdown as a response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and how the UK Government could have better used the procedure to justify lockdowns.
Skills
Development of hard skills in legal research, writing for academic law, and OSCOLA style referencing. Development of soft skills in argument construction, presenting dissenting views, and challenging of viewpoints.
Interests
I developed a particular interest in the morality and legality of torture, especially in consdering non-abstract problems that face theoretical absolute immorality.
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I also developed an interest in parliamentary procedure, especially in the case of how the procedure actually is vis-a-vis how it should be.
Modules
Legal Systems; Foundational Issues in Legal Theory; Advanced Issues in Legal Theory; Theories of Social Justice; Critical Theories of International Political Economy; Financial Crime.
BA Politics - Sheffield Hallam University
September 2017 - July 2020
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Classification - First Class with Honours​
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Undergraduate politics degree, later on specialising in Terrorism and National Security. Consistent module marks ranging from 2:1 to high firsts, and gaining a high first class in my research dissertation.
Dissertation
Dissertation topic on Terrorism and its effect on the relationship between National Security and Civil Liberties in the UK. Analysing a range of sources, whilst conducting primary research to understand what the British public desire for national security when faced with terrorism.
Skills
Development of hard skills in Microsoft Office programs, APA style referencing, and academic writing. Development of soft skills in critical thinking, self-management, and communication.
Experience
Experience in qualitative and quantitative research, and primary and secondary research; from my dissertation where I utilised online surveys, and in-person interviews to collect the views og the general public and experts.
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Experience in analysing a broad range of sources, including legislation, academic literature, philosophical pieces, and polling data.
Interests
Interest and in depth knowledge of terrorism and counter-terrorism. Stemming from a module that covered this topic, where I studied the impact of terrorism and the achievement of political goals through the use of violence by terrorist groups. As well as the counterterrorism tactics utilised by the state in opposition to terrorist tactics.
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Interest in Sub-Saharan African politics. Stemming from a module that covered this topic, where I studied the effect of colonialism on modern day African politics, and writing a detailed case study on Kenya.
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Interest and in depth knowledge of national security. Stemming from personal interest within the topic, with an understanding of what forms of government a state must take, the role the state plays in protecting its citizens from harm, and what methods a state can use in protecting its national security.
Modules
Introduction to International Relations; Introduction to Political Thought; Politics and Society; Politics of Post-War Britain; Politics of the USA; Graduate Development; Contemporary Political Philosophy; Europe and the EU; Research Methods; One Semester Work Placement; British Political Parties in the Modern Era; Power, Politics, and Paranoia; Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa; Terrorism and Counterterrorism.
Work Placement
As part of my studies I undertook a one-semester work placement in my MP's local constituency office. At the time, the local party were preparing for the 2019 Local Elections. My placement involved the production of election literature, organising campaign days, as wellas directing the social media strategy for all the candidates. As a result of my work the local party won a majority of seats at Selby District Council, which was seen as a good result considering the national context of the election. As a result of my placement I was awarded the Undergraduate Work Placement Achievement Prize (Politics, Sociology, Applied Social Sciences), awarded for demonstrating outstanding achievement whilst on work placement.