Susan Williams

Dr. Susan Williams is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London. She is a historian specializing in 20th/21st-century African history, Cold War espionage, and the United Nations' role in decolonisation. Her groundbreaking research combines archival analysis, oral histories, and visual evidence to expose covert operations by Western powers in Africa.

• PhD, MA, BA Hons (First Class)

Research Interests: Williams investigates the intersections of imperialism, nuclear weapons development, and postcolonial justice. Her work challenges conventional narratives about African state failure by documenting CIA interventions in Ghana, Congo, and UN operations during decolonisation. Key themes include:

• Covert neocolonial operations
• African nationalist movements
• UN's role in decolonisation
• Nuclear material extraction in Congo
• Historical memory and reparations

Article Trends: Recent publications focus on CIA activities in postcolonial Africa, Dag Hammarskjöld's death investigation, and Congolese uranium's link to Hiroshima. Keywords reveal Cold War geopolitics (40%), UN history (30%), and neocolonialism (30%). Sub-fields emphasize aircraft sabotage (15%), nuclear hegemony (15%), and historical revisionism (70%).

Scientific Awards:

• 2023 Windham-Campbell Prize for Nonfiction

Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD research on Northern Rhodesian independence movements. Collaborates with UN Panel of Experts on Hammarskjöld inquiry. Recipient of multiple research grants for declassified document investigations.

Labs & Teams: Works with UNA Westminster on international conferences. Collaborates with Dr. Mandy Banton on Commonwealth research seminars and joint publications. Provides historical consultancy for film productions like A United Kingdom and BBC documentaries.