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Professor Christopher Finlay is a Professor in Political Theory and Head of School at the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. He has held prestigious fellowships including a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2017-2019) and a British Academy Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2010-2011). Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer and Reader at the University of Birmingham, and taught at University College Dublin.
Professor Finlay earned his B.A. (Mod) in History and Political Science and PhD on David Hume from Trinity College Dublin. After his PhD, he was a Research Fellow at NUI Galway (2001-2002) and a Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University College Dublin (2002-2003).
Professor Finlay's research focuses on Enlightenment political thought, ethics of violence and armed conflict, Hannah Arendt, Just War Theory, political violence, republican political thought, and resistance and revolution in political thought. His work bridges historical political philosophy with contemporary ethical dilemmas in international relations and conflict. He has made significant contributions to understanding the moral complexities of violence, rebellion, and resistance in political contexts, examining how historical philosophical frameworks can inform current debates about legitimate force. His scholarship demonstrates rigorous philosophical analysis applied to real-world political challenges, particularly regarding the justification of political violence.
His publications reveal a consistent focus on the ethical boundaries of political violence, with recent work exploring cyber warfare, women's international thought, and the moral status of rebels. Finlay's scholarship demonstrates how philosophical concepts like legitimacy, authority, and justice apply to contemporary conflicts and interventions, challenging conventional frameworks while maintaining rigorous philosophical analysis. His research trajectory shows an evolution from historical studies of Enlightenment thinkers to contemporary applications in just war theory and resistance ethics.
- Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2017-2019)
- British Academy Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellow (2010-2011)
- Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2002-2003)
Professor Finlay supervises doctoral students including Ahmet Borazan, Alex Crockett, and Amal Anaam. His research has been supported by significant grants including the Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship for his project 'The Subject of Legitimate Violence.' He has engaged with public audiences through media appearances, including BBC Radio 4's Start the Week discussing 'Votes for Women' in 2018, and numerous contributions to The Conversation on topics like cyberwar ethics and violent protest. His public scholarship demonstrates a commitment to bringing philosophical insights to contemporary political debates.
As Head of School at Durham's School of Government and International Affairs, Professor Finlay leads an academic unit that engages with critical contemporary issues in politics and international relations. His work connects with broader research initiatives at Durham, particularly those related to political theory, ethics of war, and resistance studies. His leadership role complements his scholarly contributions, shaping the direction of political theory research at Durham University.
