Dr. John Gearson

Biography

John Gearson is a Professor of National Security Studies and the Director of the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College London. He has held significant positions, including Director of the Freeman Air & Space Institute from 2020 to 2022. His career includes vital roles within the UK Parliament, where he served as the principal defence policy adviser to the Defence Select Committee and the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee. He provided counsel on UK Defence and Security matters, contributing to high-profile inquiries regarding the Iraq War and the UK's Strategic Defence Review. Before his parliamentary service, Gearson was the Director of MA Defence Studies at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, specializing in asymmetric warfare and terrorism. He also had prior experience as a management consultant and special advisor to the City of London Corporation. His academic contributions include teaching within the University of London's history programme and a significant research role at the German Historical Institute in London. Gearson's scholarly interests encompass National Security Strategy, Terrorism, Defence Policy, and Cold War History, reflecting a commitment to rigorous analysis and education in security studies.

Research Interests