Simon Mabon

Simon Mabon is a Professor of International Politics at Lancaster University, affiliated with the Politics, Philosophy and Religion department. He directs the SEPAD initiative, funded by Carnegie Corporation and The Henry Luce Foundation, focusing on Middle East Studies, sovereignty, and sectarianism. His research bridges International Relations, Political Theory, and regional geopolitics, emphasizing Saudi-Iranian relations, de-sectarianization, and nomos theory. He co-directs the Richardson Institute, promoting knowledge exchange with civil society globally. Mabon has authored influential works like The Struggle for Supremacy in the Middle East (2023) and Houses built on sand (2020), recognized by Choice as an Academic Book of the Year.

He teaches courses on global politics, peace studies, and the Persian Gulf. Mabon advises UK policymakers, speaks at high-profile institutions, and engages with media outlets worldwide. His current book project on sectarianism with Yale University Press further explores these themes. Research interests include sovereignty, sectarian dynamics, urban politics, and desectarianization.

Key grants include the 2022 Talent and Research Stabilisation Fund. He supervises 11 PhD students and hosts the SEPADPod podcast. His work spans over 90 publications, addressing topics like climate change security, sectarianism during pandemics, and Middle East social theory. Awards include the 2020 Choice recognition, highlighting impactful contributions to Middle East scholarship.