A head shot of stuart macdonald

Professor Stuart Macdonald

Personal Chair, Law

Telephone number

+44 (0) 1792 602411
Office - 147
First Floor
Richard Price Building
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

Stuart's research interests lie in criminal law and counterterrorism, particularly cyberterrorism and terrorists’ use of the internet. He is Director of the University’s Cyber Threats Research Centre (CYTREC), lead organiser of the biennial #TASMConf (Terrorism and Social Media Conference) and Coordinator of the VOX-Pol Network. His underpinning research ethos is collaborative, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary, impactful work, as well as nurturing younger researchers.

His most recent work on terrorists’ use of the internet has examined violent jihadist narratives, their dissemination via social media, and legal and policy responses. Prior to this, his work focused on cyberterrorism, examining definitional issues, threat assessment and questions of response. As well as hosting numerous events on these topics, including a NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Stuart has published a variety of edited collections, journal articles, book chapters, research reports and conference papers. In 2016/17 he was also the holder of a Fulbright Cyber Security Award.

Earlier work includes projects on the construction and application of principles in counterterrorism policy, the notion that counterterrorism policy must balance security and liberty (funded by the British Academy) and Swansea’s approach to youth anti-social behaviour (funded by the Welsh Government). He has also written a number of other articles on the regulation of anti-social behaviour, considering such issues as the use of ASBOs against young people, the definition of anti-social behaviour and the classification of the ASBO as a civil remedy.

Areas Of Expertise

  • Criminal law
  • Criminal justice
  • Human rights
  • Counterterrorism
  • Terrorists’ use of the internet
  • Cyberterrorism

Career Highlights

Award Highlights
  • Winner, Outstanding Research Collaboration in Humanities and Social Sciences (Legal Innovation Lab Wales), Swansea University Research and Innovation Awards 2022
  • Shortlisted for the Cyber Security Award in the 2020 Counter Terror Awards
  • Shortlisted for Swansea University Research & Innovation Awards 2020, Global Reach and Significance Award
  • Nominated for Oxford University Press Law Teacher of the Year Award, 2019
  • Winner, Outstanding Research Collaboration (The Cyberterrorism Project), Swansea University Research and Innovation Awards, 2016
  • Winner, Outstanding Research Supervision, Swansea University Research and Innovation Awards, 2016
  • Nominated for LawCareers.Net Law Lecturer of the Year award, 2016
  • Nominated for Oxford University Press Law Lecturer of the Year Award, 2016
  • Outstanding Contribution to Student Employability Award, Swansea Employability Academy, 2015
  • Runner-Up, Outstanding Impact in Law and Public Policy, Swansea University Impact Awards, 2015
  • Nominated for Swansea University Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award, 2015
  • Runner-Up, Swansea University Research Community Award, (The Cyberterrorism Project), 2013
  • Runner-Up, Swansea University Research as Art Competition, (The Cyberterrorism Project), 2013
  • Pro Vice Chancellor’s Award for Promoting Student Employability, 2013
  • Nominated for LawCareers.Net Law Lecturer of the Year award, 2012
  • Nominated for Swansea University Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award, 2012
Collaborations