Welcome to my Publications page. As an academic specializing in terrorism, political violence, and conflict transformation, I’ve authored several works that delve into these subjects.
Books
Political Expression and Conflict Transformation in Divided Societies, Routledge 2020 https://www.routledge.com/Political-Expression-and-Conflict-Transformation-in-Divided-Societies-Criminalising/Kirkpatrick/p/book/9780367777661
This book examines how governments restrict political expression in deeply divided societies, balancing security concerns with human rights. Analyzing Northern Ireland, South Africa, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Belgium, and Canada, it explores how such restrictions affect nonviolent movements, counter-insurgency, peace negotiations, and peacebuilding. Drawing on interviews and archival research, it argues that criminalizing political expression has varying impacts depending on its targets and the broader social realities it influences.
Articles
Is Extremism the ‘New’ Terrorism? the Convergence of ‘Extremism’ and ‘Terrorism’ in British Parliamentary Discourse, Terrorism and Political Violence, 2021:33(5) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546553.2019.1598391
This paper examines the growing convergence between terrorism and extremism in British parliamentary discourse, where non-violent extremism is increasingly framed using the same language as terrorism. Using post-foundationalist discourse analysis, it analyzes 1,037 parliamentary debates (2010–2017), revealing how this shift informs counter-terrorism policies like Prevent, potentially alienating communities and reinforcing informal criminalization. The study connects discourse transformation with social practices, highlighting the risks of conflating extremism with terrorism in policy and security measures.
Proscribing the past or de-proscribing the future: a genealogy and critical discourse analysis of proscription in the North of Ireland, 1887–2017, Critical Studies in Terrorism, 2019:12(2) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17539153.2018.1502235
This article examines proscription as a counterterrorism tool, arguing that it primarily protects state legitimacy rather than preventing violence. Using Northern Ireland as a case study, it combines genealogy and critical discourse analysis with archival research and interviews. It finds that proscription’s discourse becomes entrenched over time, constraining conflict transformation by shifting from practical security concerns to symbolic justification. The article highlights broader implications for international cases, including Turkey and Sri Lanka.
Why Negotiate When You Can Criminalize? Lessons for Conflict Transformation from Northern Ireland and South Africa, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 2018: 41(8) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2017.1338055
This article explores how criminalization impacts peace negotiations, arguing that labeling actors as criminals affects conflict transformation. It proposes shifting criminalization from targeting individuals to specific acts, legitimizing nonviolent political expression. Using Northern Ireland and South Africa as case studies, it applies a conflict transformation framework, drawing on interviews and archival research to highlight how decriminalization can facilitate political negotiations and long-term peace.
Media
Not all types of extremism are terrorism – conflating the two is dangerous, The Conversation 11 Sept 2019 https://theconversation.com/not-all-types-of-extremism-are-terrorism-conflating-the-two-is-dangerous-116211
Game of Thrones: will there ever be peace on Westeros? The Conversation 28 July 2017 https://theconversation.com/game-of-thrones-will-there-ever-be-peace-on-westeros-81407
Why criminalising non-violent extremism won’t prevent terrorism, The Conversation 13 June 2017 https://theconversation.com/why-criminalising-non-violent-extremism-wont-prevent-terrorism-78973
For more on my writing see my blog page here or to get in touch see my Contact page here.