About

Houghton Policy brings together world class experts in international security, conflict, and peacebuilding to offer cutting-edge insights on the most pressing issues facing the world. Each member of our team and associate network has a PhD, has worked for a top-tier university, and has years of policy-relevant research experience. Our work is academic in its rigour but always practical in its focus. Driven by a philosophy to work towards an equitable, safe, and secure world, our team’s proven track record in research and consulting makes us trusted partners for governments, international organisations, charities, and companies seeking actionable, evidence-based solutions.

Our core team and associates have expertise in:

International security (environment, great power competition, nuclear proliferation)
Conflict & strategy
Peacebuilding & conflict resolution (conflict mediation, intervention, statebuilding)
National security (terrorism, transnational repression, sabotage)
Human rights & security (international human rights & humanitarian law, migration)
Political economy (development, energy, aid, reconstruction)

People

Houghton Policy prides itself on offering the most robust research and analysis for clients. Our team and associate network all hold PhDs in relevant fields and have conducted numerous research projects for multiple clients and funders, including:

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Home Office

Economic and Social Research Council

World Wildlife Fund

FTSE 100 Companies

Directors

Director

Dr Kasia Houghton

Kasia is a Research Fellow at the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceRep), a project funded by the UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Her expertise lie at the intersection of conflict resolution, the evolving nature of warfare, and conflict political economy. She holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews and has previously worked at Durham University.

Director

Dr Benjamin Houghton

Benjamin is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST) at Lancaster University, funded by the UK Home Office. His expertise lies at the intersection of conflict studies, national security, and human rights.

Associates

Associate

Dr Elisa D'Amico

Elisa D’Amico is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Politics and Ad Astra Fellow in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. Her research examines the intersections of climate change, conflict, migration, and political economy, with expertise in advanced methods and computational social science.

Associate

Dr Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh is an experienced lecturer of International Relations and Politics, who is currently working as an Associate Instructor on the LSE/University of London’s online International Relations programme.

Advisors

Advisor

Prof Anoush Ehteshami

Professor Anoush Ehteshami is Professor of International Relations in the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. He has published over twenty books and twenty peer-reviewed articles on Iran, Middle Eastern politics, China's foreign policy in the Global South, global security, energy politics, and Islamism.