Dr Ian Paterson

  • Senior Lecturer in International Relations (Political & International Studies)

Biography

Ian Paterson joined the School of Social and Political Sciences in September 2018 and currently works as a Senior Lecturer in International Relations. He holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Glasgow (2018), an MSc in International Relations from the same institution (2014), and a MA(Hons) in History and Politics from the University of Dundee (2013). In addition, he has previously taught at the University of Strathclyde and the University of the West of Scotland. His main research and teaching interests lie in the areas of international security studies and security theory, with a specialised focus on securitisation, ontological security and migration politics.

Research interests

Dr Paterson's current research efforts can be grouped into three main areas.

The first concerns the theoretical and methodological development of securitisation theory. Among others, he is proposing an extension of the theory beyond its typically qualitative evaluations to explore how audiences interpret political cues about the presence of a perceived threat by employing mixed-methods research designs. Moreover, he is bringing this approach to bear on the under-theorised conceptual-twin, desecuritisation, and broader attempts to 'contest' security, as well as unpacking the role of non-traditional security actors (such as religious elites and NGOs). This approach enables scholars to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how and when (de)securitisation attempts succeed and fail.

A second area of research focuses on migration politics. This is directly related to the above, regarding an exploration of the ways in which migration has been constructed as a threat and attempts to challenge this threat-centric approach. However, he also has an interest in understanding the various drivers of immigration attitudes. 

The third area, again inter-linked, is focused on the theoretical development of Ontological Security Theory, with a focus on anxiety and change. Empirically, this work is concentrated on Scottish(-UK) politics (devolved policy areas, independence and Scottish foreign policy).

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2018
Number of items: 8.

2024

Paterson, I. (2024) Business as usual like never before! Continuity, rupture and anxiety management in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum campaign. Cooperation and Conflict, (doi: 10.1177/00108367241241033) (Early Online Publication)

2023

Paterson, I. (2023) Contesting security: multiple modalities, NGOs, and the security-migration nexus in Scotland. European Journal of International Security, 8(2), pp. 172-191. (doi: 10.1017/eis.2022.22)

Paterson, I. and Mulvey, G. (2023) Simultaneous success and failure: the curious case of the (failed) securitisation of asylum seekers and refugees in the United Kingdom and Scotland. European Security, (doi: 10.1080/09662839.2023.2165878) (Early Online Publication)

2022

Paterson, I. and Karyotis, G. (2022) ‘We are, by nature, a tolerant people’: Securitisation and counter-securitisation in UK migration politics. International Relations, 36(1), pp. 104-126. (doi: 10.1177/0047117820967049)

2021

Paterson, I. (2021) Constructing the ‘Hospitable Environment’. Third Sector Perspectives on Building a Better Asylum and Refugee Politics in Scotland: Strategic Challenges, Strategic Opportunities. Project Report. n/a.

McLaren, L., Neundorf, A. and Paterson, I. (2021) Diversity and perceptions of immigration: how the past influences the present. Political Studies, 69(3), pp. 725-747. (doi: 10.1177/0032321720922774)

2020

McLaren, L. and Paterson, I. (2020) Generational change and attitudes to immigration. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46, pp. 665-682. (doi: 10.1080/1369183X.2018.1550170)

2018

Paterson, I. (2018) Any room at the inn? The impact of religious elite discourse on immigration attitudes in the United Kingdom. British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 20(3), pp. 594-612. (doi: 10.1177/1369148118778956)

This list was generated on Sun Nov 10 19:08:25 2024 GMT.
Number of items: 8.

Articles

Paterson, I. (2024) Business as usual like never before! Continuity, rupture and anxiety management in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum campaign. Cooperation and Conflict, (doi: 10.1177/00108367241241033) (Early Online Publication)

Paterson, I. (2023) Contesting security: multiple modalities, NGOs, and the security-migration nexus in Scotland. European Journal of International Security, 8(2), pp. 172-191. (doi: 10.1017/eis.2022.22)

Paterson, I. and Mulvey, G. (2023) Simultaneous success and failure: the curious case of the (failed) securitisation of asylum seekers and refugees in the United Kingdom and Scotland. European Security, (doi: 10.1080/09662839.2023.2165878) (Early Online Publication)

Paterson, I. and Karyotis, G. (2022) ‘We are, by nature, a tolerant people’: Securitisation and counter-securitisation in UK migration politics. International Relations, 36(1), pp. 104-126. (doi: 10.1177/0047117820967049)

McLaren, L., Neundorf, A. and Paterson, I. (2021) Diversity and perceptions of immigration: how the past influences the present. Political Studies, 69(3), pp. 725-747. (doi: 10.1177/0032321720922774)

McLaren, L. and Paterson, I. (2020) Generational change and attitudes to immigration. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46, pp. 665-682. (doi: 10.1080/1369183X.2018.1550170)

Paterson, I. (2018) Any room at the inn? The impact of religious elite discourse on immigration attitudes in the United Kingdom. British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 20(3), pp. 594-612. (doi: 10.1177/1369148118778956)

Research Reports or Papers

Paterson, I. (2021) Constructing the ‘Hospitable Environment’. Third Sector Perspectives on Building a Better Asylum and Refugee Politics in Scotland: Strategic Challenges, Strategic Opportunities. Project Report. n/a.

This list was generated on Sun Nov 10 19:08:25 2024 GMT.

Grants

Paterson, Ian (2020) 'Building bridges, not walls? The role of NGOs in contesting the security-migration nexus.' Carnegie Trust: Research Incentive Grant (£3,392).

Paterson, Ian (2021) 'From Hostile to Hospitable? Enhancing Efficacy in the Asylum/Refugee Sector in Scotland: Strategic Coordination, Cooperation and Practice.' ESRC Impact Accelerator Account (£5,000).

Supervision

Ian welcomes potential doctoral students who are interested in his areas of expertise, especially the development of (de)securitisation theory, ontological security studies and understanding the security-migration nexus.

Current PhD students:

Teaching

Postgraduate Taught

  • International Security and Strategic Studies

Honours

  • Securitisation and the New Security Agenda

Pre-Honours

  • Politics 1B: Introduction to International Relations

Additional information

  • Postgratuate Certifcatate in Academic Pratice (PgCap)
  • RET Associate Fellow (Recognising Excellence in Teaching)