Dr Jessica Simonds

Lecturer of Human Geography

School of Humanities and Social Sciences
j.simonds@chester.ac.uk
Dr Jessica Simonds

As a Human and Political Geographer, I specialise in exploring the production of maritime space and examining the critical issues of maritime security and counter-piracy in the Horn of Africa. I also have significant professional experience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, working on International Development projects focusing on post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. Additionally, I bring a background in security intelligence in the Arabian Peninsula.

I have experience working in youth politics and sustainable development. I am enthusiastic about supervising PhD projects that intersect Political Geography and Security Studies, critical Security Studies, critical Geopolitics, Global Governance, Maritime Studies, Post-Conflict Development, Sustainable Development, and Migration.

For 2023/2014, I am the Module Leader for GE4009 Sustainable Development. 

For 2023/2024, I will teach on the following modules: 

  • GE5012 Going Places 
  • GE4012 People and Places 
  • GE5016 Geopolitics and the Global Economy 
  • GE5018 Research Design
  • GE6001 Dissertation
  • Critical Security Studies
  • Global Governance
  • Maritime security and counterpiracy in the Horn of Africa
  • Marxist Theory 
  • Migration
  • Political Geography and Security Studies
  • PostConflict Development
  • Postconflict reconstruction and reconciliation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
  • Security intelligence in the Arabian Peninsula
  • Space, Territory, Time, and Power 
  • Spatial Epistemologies of the Sea 
  • Sustainable Development

Simonds, J. (2022). Book Review: Piracy and the Privatisation of Maritime Security: Vessel Protection Policies Compared. International Journal of Maritime Crime & Security (IJMCS), 2(2), pp.114–119.

Simonds, J. K. (2022) ‘Constructing Insecure Maritime Spaces: Navigational Technologies and the Experience of the Modern Mariner’, Benjamin de Carvalho & Halvard Leira (eds.) The Sea and International Relations. 1st edition Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Simonds, J. K. (2020) How Seafarers are Redirecting Security Consciousness [online]. (Accessed 28 August

Simonds, J. K. (2017) Report on Piracy in 2016 Launched. [Online]. 

  • PhD International Studies - Queen’s University Belfast, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics – 2017-2021 
  • MA Violence, Terrorism and Security - Queen’s University Belfast, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics – 2015-2017
  • BA (Hons) International Politics and Conflict Studies - Queen’s University Belfast, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics – 2012-2015.

Memberships

  • British International Studies Association 
  • European International Studies Association
  • International Studies Association 
  • Royal Geographical Society