Dr. Peter Doak

Profile

I joined the School of Sociology and Social Policy in September 2018, having previously worked at Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast, where I completed my PhD. My research interests are located at the intersection of urban sociology and sociological approaches to conflict and post-conflict societies. I am particularly interested in the relationship between urbanism and conflict transformation, although I find all questions related to cities fascinating. I teach across the School's programmes.

As Deputy Director of Student Education I am committed to increasing the diversity of our student cohort at School and Faculty level, as well as implementing positive changes to address retention, progression and award gaps for non-traditional students. 

Responsibilities

• Deputy Director of Student Education (Enhancement)
• Programme Manager BA Social Sciences Foundation Degree

Research interests

I am interested in the relationship between urbanism and conflict transformation and have published and presented on this topic:

(2018) ‘Cultural Policy as Conflict Transformation? Problematising the Peacebuilding Potential of Cultural Capital Designation’. International Journal of Cultural Policy 24(3)10.1080/10286632.2018.1445727

(2016) ‘Urban entrepreneurialism and culture-led-regeneration in Derry-Londonderry, UK City of Culture 2013’ in F. Healy and E. Epinoux (eds.) Post Celtic Tiger Ireland: New Cultural Spaces. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars. 86-104.

(2014) ‘Beyond Derry or Londonderry: Towards a framework for understanding the emerging spatial contradictions of Derry-Londonderry – UK City of Culture 2013’. City 18(4-5): 488-49610.1080/13604813.2014.939469

I have also co-authored technical reports for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Northern Ireland Executive exploring potential benefits of 'peace tourism' for conflict transformation and peace-building:

(2018) with S. McDowell and J. Byrne ‘Community-let tourism, heritage and peacebuilding’. Report to Northern Ireland Executive Office Urban Villages.

(2018) with M. Maranara, S. McDowell and M. Braniff. ‘Harnessing the Potential of Tourism to Historical Conflict Sites in Advancing Peace’. Report to United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

Finally, I retain a keen interest in social theory, and have published on this topic:

(2018) ‘Deconstructing Archer’s (un)Critical Realism’ in V. Altglas and M. Wood (eds.) Bringing Back the Social into the Sociology of Religion. Leiden: Brill. 59-78

Qualifications

• PhD Sociology
• MA Sociology
• MA (Hons.) Geography
• PGCE Lifelong Learning

Student education

As Deputy DSE and Lecturer in Sociology I am lucky to teach across all levels within our School – from Taught Postgraduate to Foundation, as well as engaging in Postgraduate Research supervision. My main teaching contributions focus on crime, terrorism and conflict.