Tom Daly

Profile

I began my PhD in October 2025 having completed an MA in Conflict, Development and Security (2022-2023) at POLIS and a BA in History (2018-2021) at the University of Southampton. I studied the modern Middle East as part of both programmes and during my master’s I explored post-conflict societies and issues of identity and stability. My master’s dissertation concerned the extent to which clan systems are conducive to democracy and I have examined similar forces in my current study of Lebanon.

Research interests

I am undertaking my research in a period of upheaval in Lebanon that presents new challenges and opportunities for not only its future governance, but that of other politically polarised contexts across the globe. I aim to identify factors that affect trust, a vital element for human interaction in these environments, and I will examine the influence of social spending and the role of non-state actors on citizen attitudes. The divided context of Lebanon is a crucial case study for the investigation of these issues and can also illuminate how political and social changes can shift individual and community attitudes towards others, offering insights into voter behaviour worldwide. My research interests thus include:

• Social exchange

• Social identities

• Welfare provision (especially by non-state actors)

• Water provision and trust

• Voter behaviour

• Post-conflict political systems

Qualifications

• MA Conflict, Development and Security (University of Leeds)
• BA History (University of Southampton)