Dr Tom Smith
Summary
Dr. Tom Smith is the Academic Director of the Royal Air Force College, and an Associate Professor in International Relations.
Research interests
The Philippines and security in Southeast Asia around issues including; terrorism, human rights, electoral violence, politics, media, culture, technology, sportswashing, Asian Cinema, Neo-Noir Cinema, AI in Defecne and Education, Bitcoin.
Teaching responsibilities
My teaching is focused on modules on Insurgencies, Terrorism and International Security.
PhD Students:
- Sorina Totica - Tri-liminaliity: A Causal Explanation for Limitations in UK's Security Force Assistance to Nigeria that Counters Boko Haram (Completed 2024)
- Olivia Caskey - The Apex Female Terrorist: A Mixed-method Investigation Focused on the Impact of Gender Stereotypes on News Coverage and the Manifestations of Gender Framing on Women Associated with Jihadist Terrorism (Completed 2024)
- Salah Uddin - International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Islamic Law of Armed Conflict: Exploring Convergence of Rules Applicable to Armed Conflicts Among Muslims (Completed 2022)
- Mike Blyth - Humanitarian aid and development sector resilience finding solutions to complex problems (Completed 2021)
Current
- Ann Bajo - Assessing Malaysian interventions in the insurgencies of Pattani and Mindanao.
- Alexander Hasenstab - Pre-Deployment Security Trainings (PDST) in the Aid Sector
I am happy to receive informal enquiries relating to research in any of the above-indicated areas and assist in working up proposals for doctoral study.
Media availability
I am available for media commentary and analysis – see examples here. I am happy to take calls and emails from the media on my research and am aware of the need to respond to journalists in a timely manner. Please contact me directly on [email protected]
Research outputs
2026
The Philippines is jailing journalists in the name of “terror financing”: why the world should be alarmed
Smith, T.
17 Feb 2026, In: Just Security
Research output: Article
From ‘click next’ to digital critical thinking
Smith, T.
9 Feb 2026, In: RUSI Journal. 171, 1, p. 52-55
Research output: Article
AI has moved into universities’ engine room, but no one is at the controls
Smith, T.
19 Jan 2026, In: Times Higher Education Supplement
Research output: Article
2025
The Bondi attack and a false narrative: The recurring myth of “terror training camps” in the Philippines
Smith, T.
23 Dec 2025, In: Asia Sentinel
Research output: Article
The Bondi attack and the recurring myth of Philippine ‘terror training camps’
Smith, T.
22 Dec 2025, In: The Mandarin
Research output: Article
How the ICC can make Duterte’s trial useful to Filipinos – or miss it
Smith, T.
19 Sep 2025, In: Justice Info
Research output: Article
The ICC has got Duterte, what will the Philippines get?
Smith, T.
13 Mar 2025, In: Justice Info
Research output: Article
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity – a blow against impunity
Smith, T.
11 Mar 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
The ICC caught in clan rivalry in Philippines
Smith, T.
27 Jan 2025, In: Justice Info
Research output: Article
2024
Feud between Marcos and Duterte families distracts from suffering of typhoon-hit Philippines
Smith, T.
26 Nov 2024, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article