Lecturer: Geopolitics, King’s College London, UK

The Department of Geography is a vibrant community of students, teachers and researchers. Our holistic approach encompasses both human and physical geography perspectives on global challenges and pressing environmental, geopolitical, urban and rural issues. Our research findings contribute to public debates and policy development at national and international scales, making important contributions to climate change, disasters, smart cities, risk regulation, water, human migration and wildfire hazards. We are also deeply committed to tackling pressing matters of social justice around the world. We undertake field research in over 95 countries across seven continents.

About the role

The Department of Geography, King’s College London, invites applications for a Lecturer in Geopolitics to carry out research in geo/political and historical geography and play a leading role in teaching Geopolitics – both contemporary critical approaches and more historically-geared (neo)classical ones. The successful applicant will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching – particularly the BA Geography and the MA Geopolitics, Resources and Territory – including in-person and online lecturing, fieldtrips, supervision, tutorials, marking and academic and pastoral support of students. They will also be expected to undertake individual and collaborative research, contributing to one of the research groups within the Department (e.g. Contested Development).

Candidates should hold a PhD in geography or a cognate discipline and should have a developing research profile in Geopolitics (including related subfields such as border studies). We particularly welcome applicants that foster critical approaches to territorial themes (historical state and border formation), energy and resource questions, colonial and imperial geographies (with connotations of race and gender) and migration and human mobility. Methodologically this role would suit applicants working across archives, ethnography, media and policy discourse. We particularly welcome candidates with a track record of obtaining research funding and/or impacting policymaking, or those whose work has wider societal benefits. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage.

The Lectureship is a permanent position with a 3-year probation period with an anticipated start date of September 2025. This post will report to the Head of Department of Geography. The Lecturer will receive mentoring and support to develop their skills and experience in education, academic administration, and research.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

1. PhD in geography or a cognate discipline (viva must be passed before September start date)
2. The ability to design and deliver lectures, practicals, seminars and tutorials in the field of Geopolitics and Human Geography more widely
3. Experience of teaching relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with evidence of innovative and effective teaching and ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds
4. Experience of supervising student research projects, including providing guidance on relevant research methods and excellent feedback on assessment
5. Demonstrated ability, through peer reviewed publications or other appropriate modes of dissemination, to make contributions to knowledge in the field of Geopolitics
6. Ability to contribute to the Department’s research profile in the field of Geopolitics, including experience of obtaining research grants
7. Demonstrable interest in research impact and/or public engagement
8. Demonstrable potential to be an invaluable colleague at King’s with ability to discharge administrative duties efficiently and collaborate effectively across disciplinary and/or department lines with colleagues
9. Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice.
10. Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion.
11. Experience of academic administrative roles (e.g. as programme lead) and/or leadership or in the wider discipline (e.g. in professional associations, advisory boards, journals)
12. Experience of providing academic advice and pastoral support to students, and a commitment to supporting student welfare and enhancing the student experience
13. Familiarity with the UK education system.