Paul French
Lecturer, Criminology
Alongside teaching Criminology at the University of Chester, I am a PhD researcher in socio-legal studies at John Moores University (LJMU), Liverpool.
My PhD research focuses upon moral panic theory, terrorism, fake news/conspiracy theories, and the effects these may have upon democratic values and human rights protections. My research aims to uncover long term ramifications from short-lived, disproportionate social fears on legislation, social control and community cohesion.
Earlier in my career, I completed my BSc in Psychology with Criminology at University of Chester before moving to LJMU to obtain an MSc in Global Crime Justice & Security, where I submitted a legislative-comparative dissertation of UK/US counter-terrorism surveillance methods impact on human rights and civil liberties.
Prior to my teaching role with the University of Chester, I was a course tutor with The Brilliant Club Scholars Program, where I designed and taught a module entitled Moral Panic: The Red Scare, focused on the early years of the Cold War.
Current modules
- Level 4: Offenders Management
- Level 5: Theories of Crime & Justice
- Level 5: State Crime & Resistance
- Level 6: International (In)Justices & the Death Penalty
Academic Appointments
- Lecturer of Criminology, University of Chester, 2021 - Present
- Visiting Lecturer, University of Chester, 2019 - 2021
- Tutor, The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme, 2018 - 2020
My PhD research focuses upon moral panic theory, terrorism, fake news/conspiracy theories, and the effects these may have upon democratic values and human rights protections. My research aims to uncover long term ramifications from short-lived, disproportionate social fears on legislation, social control and community cohesion.
Published Work
Panara. C & French. P, [2019] Peaceful Coexistence, Wolfrum R. Max Planck Encyclopaedia of Public International Law Oxford University Press.
French. P, [2017] Trump’s Britain First retweets challenge us to fight his fake news habit, The Conversation.
Presentations
John Moores University Away Day [2017] 'New' Terrorism & Moral Panics.
John Moores University Research Forum [2018] Terrorism & Moral Panics.
3 Minutes Thesis [2018] Terrorism & Moral Panics: Trading Human Rights for Safety and the Preservation of Identity and Values.
Contributions
1823 Podcast, John Moores University [2019]. In this podcast episode titled Faking It, I discuss the rise of deep fake videos, the history of fake news and the impact of propaganda on world events.
- Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Phd [Pending]
- Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, MSc, Global Crime, Justice and Security [2015]
- University of Chester, United Kingdom, BSc, Psychology with Criminology [2011]
Membership
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy [2017]