Sarah Leonard

Sarah Leonard is a Professor in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education at the University of South Wales, where she contributes to the Criminology, Policing and Security Research and Innovation Group. Her work is deeply embedded in European Union security policy, counter-terrorism, and the governance of migration and asylum.

Her research interests include:

• European Union security and justice policy
• Counter-terrorism and radicalization
• Securitization of migration and asylum
• Far-right extremism and foreign fighters
• Global health security and pandemic governance

Leonard’s recent publications analyze the EU’s response to emerging security threats, including the role of the Radicalization Awareness Network (RAN), the securitization of the Ukraine conflict with regard to far-right fighters, and the EU’s positioning as a global counter-terrorism actor. Her work often employs securitization theory and critical policy analysis.

She has authored or co-authored over 70 research outputs, including books and peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals such as Geopolitics and New Journal of European Criminal Law. Her research has been cited in policy discussions and picked up by news outlets and social media platforms, indicating real-world impact.

She has supervised at least two research projects, contributing to the next generation of scholars in criminology and security studies.

Leonard is actively engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with scholars like Christian Kaunert, and her work bridges political science, criminology, and international relations.