Postgraduate Researchers

PhD Research Student - School of Social Sciences, Law and Education

Project title: Security and Sustainable Governance in African Context: The Case of the Western Nigeria Security Network. 

Project Abstract:

The project aims to explore and analyse security fields in post-colonial Africa, starting with Nigeria where the politicisation of crime control and security governance has been highly politicised (Ogunode, 2015).  The research enables the analysis of an African national security field (Bowden, 2019; Devroe et al, 2017) which involves assemblages of state and non-state actors in steering and implementing security governance.  The research is set within the international literature on nodal security governance (Whelan & Dupont, 2017; Froested & Shearing, 2012; Wood & Shearing, 2007; Loader & Walker, 2007). The research will explore the relationship of security actors to political elites and the role that the political class plays in shaping the institutions of crime control, social order and security. There are two key organising concepts guiding the research: governmentality theory derived primarily from Foucault’s (2009) theorisations on security, territory and population; and field-analytic method to enable the mapping of field positions and the identification of position takers (Bourdieu and Wacquant, 1992).  Security is defined as deriving from ‘securitas’ – the conditions necessary for public trust and a sense of mutual self-confidence (Loader & Walker, 2007). This project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Furthermore, the project aligns with sustainable development goal 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (UN-SDGs, 2020). 

Supervisor: Dr. Matt Bowden. 

Funder: Technological University Dublin.