About
Simon Ball is a Professor of International History and Politics at the School of History, University of Leeds. Previously, he served as Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on the Cold War, Second World War, British politics, assassination in international politics, and secret intelligence in the twentieth century. He is also the Academic Integrity Lead for the School of History.
Education:
- MA (Oxon.)
- PhD (Cantab.)
Ball’s research explores the intersections of military, political, and intelligence histories. He has contributed to the study of covert operations, wartime strategies, and the impact of secret services on global events. His work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement and policy insights.
His recent publications include Death To Order: A Modern History of Assassination (2025) and Secret History: Writing the Rise of Britain’s Intelligence Services (2020), reflecting his expertise in political violence and espionage. Earlier works like Alamein (2016) and The Cold War: An International History (1998) remain influential in military and diplomatic historiography.
Scientific Awards:
- Impact Case Study for the 2022 Research Excellence Framework
Ball has supervised over twenty PhD students and currently mentors Lucy Slater, Neil Blenkinsop, Carrissa Anderson, and Matthew Hough. He sits on editorial boards of Intelligence & National Security and Diplomacy & Statecraft, and previously edited War in History.
Research Affiliations: He contributes to the War Studies, Empires and Aftermath, and Politics, Diplomacy, and International History research groups at Leeds. His project Cultures of Intelligence examines military intelligence services across Germany, Britain, and the USA from 1855-1947.
