Contact
Biography
Thomas passed his PhD viva in January 2023 and currently works as a Research Fellow for the University of Nottingham's Centre for the Study of Subversion, Unconventional Interventions and Terrorism. His research interests lie in the study of British foreign policy, with a focus on constructions of foreign policy decisions and events within political discourse, and foreign policymaking within domestic policy networks.
Thomas has published two peer-reviewed articles in leading Politics and International Relations journals. His PhD was funded by the University of Nottingham's School of Politics and International Relations and he has been the recipient of the School's Cowan Award, given in recognition of his research achievements.
In addition to his research, Thomas has authored a number of blog posts for high-impact websites and has actively engaged with the media on the topics of British politics and Brexit. His expert commentary has been quoted in a number of national and international newspapers, including the Guardian, and he has written news articles for local press outlets. Thomas has participated in several live radio interviews, including as a British politics expert for BBC Radio Nottingham.
Thomas has previously taught at the University of Nottingham, and currently teaches at the University of Lincoln. He is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and has also been a recipient of the PGR Teaching Award, given by the University of Nottingham's Researcher Academy in recognition of his innovative approach to developing an accessible learning environment.
Prior to starting his PhD, Thomas completed an MA in International Relations at the University of Nottingham, and a BA in International Relations and Politics and the University of Lincoln.
University of Lincoln Staff Profile
Twitter: @DrThomasEason
Expertise Summary
British Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy Analysis
Interpretivist Public Policy Analysis
Secret Intelligence
Teaching Summary
Thomas currently teaches on the modules 'Foreign Policy Analysis', 'Thinking International Relations', 'Key Social Science Concepts', 'Counter-Terrorism Studies', and 'Researching Social Sciences' at… read more
Research Summary
Thomas currently works as a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Subversion, Unconventional Interventions and Terrorism. In this role, he supports a project that will construct a typology… read more
Recent Publications
Thomas currently teaches on the modules 'Foreign Policy Analysis', 'Thinking International Relations', 'Key Social Science Concepts', 'Counter-Terrorism Studies', and 'Researching Social Sciences' at the University of Lincoln.
At the University of Nottingham, Thomas has previously taught on the modules 'Secret Intelligence and International Security' and 'Covert Action and Unacknowledged Interventionism'.
Current Research
Thomas currently works as a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Subversion, Unconventional Interventions and Terrorism. In this role, he supports a project that will construct a typology of covert influence for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Thomas passed his viva on 16 January 2023. His thesis develops a new Foreign Policy Analysis framework that brings together the Governmental Politics Model and the Cognitive Approach. This is applied to the British decision to invade Iraq in 2003 and used to construct a narrative that decentres Blair and instead prioritises the wider government machine. This allows the thesis to challenge dominant 'Blair centric' explanations.
In addition to his thesis, Thomas is currently working on an article that explores how the concept of political myth can contribute to the sub-discipline of Foreign Policy Analysis.
Supervisors:
Prof. Rory Cormac
Prof. David Gill
Dr. Oliver Daddow
Examiners:
Prof. Jamie Gaskarth
Prof. Wyn Rees
Past Research
Thomas has recently authored an article which explores policy networks involved in British decisions to use covert action and power dynamics within them. He has also co-authored an article which analyses the ability of governments to influence political blame games using constructions of secrecy. Both of these were developed around case studies of different British foreign policy events.