Intelligence and Security Studies PhD

The Brunel's Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies Team conduct research in most areas connected with intelligence organisation, management, and analysis. Members of BCISS from other departments contribute to research in fields such as law (which governs the intelligence enterprise in Britain and other democratic states), engineering (which builds the tools used for collection) and cryptography (which protects our secrets). Within the Politics and History team at BCISS, expertise

Political sociology as it applies to institution-building and organisational design of intelligence agencies and communities
Theories of ‘intelligence culture’ and the practice of intelligence around the world
Military doctrine of intelligence, with a focus on UK practices
Analytical methods: the tools and practices of intelligence analysts
Intelligence history: how states have organised and practised intelligence in the period since the bureaucratisation of intelligence, and earlier
We especially welcome research students working in the broad fields of intelligence and security studies, wishing to undertake advanced research projects on intelligence policy. Research students are members of the research team, working on major policy and consultancy projects, and are centrally involved in all of the research activities in this area at home and abroad. Research students also participate in the Analytical Simulation Exercise in the University's second term. We provide students with full access to our resources and networks of contacts in support of their research and longer-term career plans, and actively encourages researchers to publish their work in academic and professional spheres

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.