Martin Coward

Professor Martin Coward is a Professor of International Politics and Head of School at the School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary University of London. Previously affiliated with the University of Manchester, Newcastle University, and the University of Sussex, he holds a BA in Film Studies, an MA in Ideology and Discourse Analysis, and a PhD on urbicide in Bosnia. His research integrates theoretical frameworks from continental philosophy, discourse analysis, and popular culture with empirical studies of urban destruction, infrastructure security, and the Anthropocene. Notable contributions include defining 'urbicide' as a form of political violence targeting urban pluralism and analyzing networked warfare and genocide.

His work explores how speculative fiction and governmental reports imagine future climate crises, identifying a 'politics of redemption and hope.' He has supervised over 15 PhD students to completion and engages in editorial roles for journals like Politics and Review of International Studies. Coward’s scholarship bridges theoretical innovation with empirical rigor, addressing themes such as affect theory, post-globalization, and the intersections of security and infrastructure.

Recent research emphasizes urban resilience and the ethical dimensions of spatial violence, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global political challenges.