Gabrielle Nugent-Stephens is an Early Career Researcher and Lecturer in Criminology at Ulster University in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences. She completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 2015 at Ulster University and a Master’s degree in Violence, Terrorism and Security in 2016 at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) funded by the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy Bursary Award for outstanding academic achievement.

Gabrielle returned to Ulster University in 2016 to complete her PhD in Criminology which was awarded in 2020. Her PhD was funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

Her doctoral research investigated the criminogenic nature of security governance in covert conflict, focusing on US intervention in Laos, 1962-1975. This involved exploratory research with former employees of a covert airline, Air America, and the Hmong, an indigenous group, used during the Vietnam War.

Her primary research interests are cross disciplinary, centred in state crime and security governance, with particular focus on the social harm resulting from the state administration of violence.

Previously, Gabrielle worked as a Lecturer in Criminology at Coventry University from 2020-2022. During this time she attained ASPiRE fellowship (Academic Support Programme in Research Excellence) with the Security, Vulnerability and Resilience Research Group in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR).