Taboo .. Or Not Taboo? Deterring the use of chemical weapons in the 21st Century

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences, and will be supervised by Dr Patricia Shamai, Professor Sara Hadleigh-Dunn and Dr Melita Lazell.

The work on this project could involve:

• An analysis of the CW case studies, which will provide greater understanding of the physical security of individuals, organisations and society
• Conducting elite interviews with experts within the field
• Fostering a network of policy making and military communities to foster greater dialogue and understanding of future security issues.

The use of chemical weapons (CW) has historically been seen as morally reprehensible and illegitimate, forming the basis of a strong international taboo. This perception led to the creation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 1996, which prohibits the development and use of such weapons and has gained widespread international support. Traditionally, the taboo focused on state-to-state warfare; however, in the 21st century, conflict dynamics have evolved, involving non-state actors and asymmetric warfare. Incidents like the use of CW in Syria since 2013 and the 2018 Salisbury poisoning raise questions about the continued strength of this taboo.

This research aims to assess whether chemical weapons still carry the same moral and political stigma today. It has two key objectives. First, it addresses the lack of clear data on the prevalence and acceptance of CW use in modern conflicts. By collecting open-source information, the project will compile a comprehensive record of CW use and attempted use since 2000, providing crucial insight into how often and in what contexts the norm has been violated. Second, the research will undertake a comparative study using open sources and elite interviews with policy experts and academics. It will examine how the CW taboo is understood and has evolved across different conflict settings—particularly in assassination, terrorism, civil war, and asymmetric warfare.

Through this analysis, the project seeks to evaluate the robustness of the chemical weapons taboo in contemporary international relations. Its findings will contribute to academic debates on norm formation and enforcement while offering practical insights for policymakers working to prevent the use of CW and other weapons of mass destruction. The research is significant for both scholarly and policy communities, providing timely and original data on a critical global security issue

General Admissions

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (first or upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in a humanities related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Specific candidate requirements

A knowledge and understanding of international relations and contemporary security, ideally some research background into arms control and chemical weapons norms.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Patricia Shamai (patricia.shamai@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Politics and international relations PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

When applying please quote project code: ASH10011026