Politics Research Seminar: David Langley

Biography, Memoire, Expose and Inquiry in the Secret World

When?

Wednesday 26 October 2011, 15:30 to 17:00

Where?

49AC05

Open to:

Staff, Students, Public

Speaker:

Dr David Langley

Dr David Langley, a medical scientist with a background in clinical laboratories and teaching took a research post with the Ministry of Defence in the late ‘80s. After a spell ‘at the bench’, he worked in operational analysis, intelligence assessment and, after 9/11, the protection of critical infrastructure, focussing on weapons of mass destruction and working closely with colleagues across government. Since retirement in 2006, he has combined consultancy with research and teaching in Cambridge.

Drawing on this experience, he will discuss the challenges faced by scholars of the 'secret world’, especially the sources available to them and the impact of their backgrounds and research methods on their work. Exploring the impact of ’9/11’ he will also reflect on the questions raised by advocates of Critical Terrorism Studies.