Martin Folly

Martin Folly is Reader in International History at Brunel University London within the School of Social and Political Sciences (College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences). He serves as Deputy Division Lead for Politics and History and Vice-Chancellor's Representative (Academic), with research focusing on WWII/Cold War diplomatic history and alliance formation.

His educational background includes:

• BA (Hons) History, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
• MA, Cambridge University
• PhD International History, London School of Economics

Dr Folly's research centers on perceptions shaping US-Soviet-British relations during/after WWII, emphasizing individual agency in foreign policy. Key areas span the Grand Alliance, early NATO development, Anglo-Soviet military liaison, and US foreign policy evolution (1914-1976), with methodological focus on diplomatic archives and biographical analysis.

His recent publications (2016-2022) reveal sustained emphasis on British-Soviet wartime cooperation (naval/military liaison in Black Sea operations), NATO's diplomatic origins, and biographical studies of key figures (Churchill, Stalin, Harriman), highlighting interpersonal dynamics in alliance management.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

He has supervised 3 completed PhDs (e.g., Shanahan on Eisenhower, Labrentsev on African colonies) and currently mentors 5 doctoral candidates on Tito-era diplomacy, Channel Islands occupation, and American Revolution. Research projects include The British Military and the Soviet Union (1941-45) and Axis Diplomacy in WWII, supported by institutional frameworks at Brunel.

He contributes to the CATCH research group and maintains active memberships in BISA, SHAFR, and Transatlantic Studies Association.