
Dr Lucy Abbott
Job Title
Lecturer in Politics and International Relations

Research interests
Research interests
International Relations | International Political Economy of the Arab Gulf States
Lucy is interested in supervising PhD projects in most aspects of the international relations and politics of the contemporary Middle East but especially welcomes proposals in political economy of the Arab Gulf states, foreign policies of Middle East states and UK-MENA relations. N.B Lucy is currently considering proposals for entry from academic year 2024/25 and beyond. Applicants will need Arabic language skills as well as training in contemporary Middle East studies or social science research. Lucy's doctoral students benefit from a vibrant research environment and are able to join PIR's Middle East Research Group.
Background
Lucy joined PIR in 2017, following posts at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford and Durham University. She serves as Programme Co-Director of the MSc International Relations programme. She was the founding convenor of PIR's Middle East Research Group, an interdisciplinary research network with a cross-university membership. The research group co-ordinates and hosts the Contemporary Middle East Series, PIR/SPS flagship public engagement programme on the Middle East.
Qualifications
PhD Government and International Affairs, St. Chad's College Durham University
MA International Relations, Ustinov College, Durham University
BA (Hons) Modern European Languages, University College, Durham University
Teaching 22/23
The Persian Gulf in International Relations (UG)
Comparative Politics in a Globalised World (UG)
Middle East in International Relations (PG)
Politics Year Abroad Assessment (UG)
Politics of the Middle East (UG)
Publications
(2021) "Entrusted Norms: Security, Trust and Betrayal in the Gulf Cooperation Council Crisis" European Journal of International Relations (with Vincent C. Keating)
(2020) "The States of the Persian Gulf: From Protectorates to Independent Countries" in The Routledge Handbook of Persian Gulf Politics edited by Mehran Kamrava. Abingdon, Routledge.
(2018) "Civil Resistance and the Arab Spring" International Affairs Vol. 94 (1)
(2018) “International Democracy Promotion and Democratization in the Middle East and North Africa" Democratization Vol 25 (1): 178-184
(2016) "The Conceptual Public Sphere and its Problems: Habermas, Political Action and the Arab States" Journal of International Political Theory Vol. 12 (3): 365-379
Current Doctoral Students
Works within
Staff Hours and Guidance
Sem 2 22/23: Please email for an appointment