Ian Shields

In the RAF Ian was a navigator, initially on the Vulcan bomber but later on the Hercules transport aircraft. He commanded a front-line squadron and saw service in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan among other places. He entered an academic stream towards the end of his career, gaining two master’s degrees, and ended his career in an MoD think-tank looking forward 40 years to gauge security threats broadly, and the roles of air and space power in particular.

Since leaving the RAF he has lectured at a number of UK Universities in the fields of International Relations and Security, and presently is the coordinator for the MA in International Relations at Anglia Ruskin University, where he also lectures in Criminology and Working in the Public Services. He maintains his MoD links, and has written for both MoD and wider, defence publications.

Ian’s prime research area is the relationship between the Government and the Media over the use of military force, but he is also researching the International Order and challenges it is facing, as well as broader issues within the International Relations and Security fields.

Having helped establish the MA in International Relations at ARU, Ian continues to deliver modules on Conflict and Communication and on War, Peacekeeping and Military Intervention, as well as continuing to help develop the degree. He also delivers modules on Leadership and on Terror as a Crime.