Paul's research focuses predominantly on theories of sexual violence. He is interested in the multiple ways that sexual violence is understood in feminist and gender theory and war studies, the relationship between gender and political violence in times of war and peace, the translation of ideas of sexual violence between different contexts, and the diverse representations of victims and perpetrators. He is currently writing a book on these themes. Paul has also worked on policy responses to gender violence in the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and has a particular interest in the UK government’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. He is also developing projects on the ‘Men, Peace and Security’ agenda and on the dynamics of the WPS agenda in the global north.
Paul was previously a co-editor of the European Journal of International Relations (2014-2015), one of three editors of Millennium: Journal of International Studies for Volume 39 (2010-2011), co-editor (with Marsha Henry) of a special issue of International Feminist Journal of Politics on the topic of 'Rethinking Masculinities and Practices of Violence in Conflict Settings’ (2012), and most recently co-editor (with Laura J. Shepherd) of a special issue of International Affairs on ‘The Futures of Women, Peace and Security’ (2016), marking 15 years since UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
Selected Publications:
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with Laura J. Shepherd) ‘The Futures Past of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda’, International Affairs, Vol. 92, No. 2, 2016.
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‘Acting Time; Or, The Abolitionist and the Feminist’, International Feminist Journal of Politics, Vol. 17, No. 3, 2015.
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'Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict: The Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and Its Critics', International Affairs, Vol. 91, No. 3, 2015
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'How is Rape a Weapon of War? Feminist International Relations, Modes of Critical Explanation and the Study of Wartime Sexual Violence', European Journal of International Relations, Vol. 19, No. 4, 2013.
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'Refusing To Be A Man? Men's Responsibility for War Rape and the Problem of Social Structures in Feminist and Gender Theory', Men and Masculinities, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2013.
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(with Marsha Henry) 'Rethinking Masculinity and Practices of Violence in Conflict Settings', International Feminist Journal of Politics, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2012.