Nicholas Kerton-Johnson

Loy Chair of Political Science, Associate Professor of International Relations

I Serve in...

History, Global & Political Studies Department

Education

• PhD, International Relations, University of Bristol
• MA, War Studies, Kings College, London
• Higher Diploma, Education—History & Mathematics, University of Cape Town
• Honours Degree, History, University of Cape Town
• BA, History, University of Cape Town

 

Career Accomplishments

Teaching at Taylor is my third career! My second in finance had many accomplishments with which I am pleased, but let me stay focused on my academic career. I was pleased to complete four degrees and a diploma in education without incurring any student debt. My studies were almost all funded through competitive scholarships. There is no doubt that attaining a PhD at a prestigious United Kingdom University while at the same time being the engrossed father of two beautiful but energetic children was an achievement which gave me great joy followed shortly thereafter with the publication of my first book on US military intervention post 1990, published by Routledge. During my PhD, I was also honored to be the only PhD student in my department and one of few across the entire university to be entrusted with graduate level teaching.

There are the usual accomplishments of writing papers, delivering these at major conference and seeing them published, along with book chapters, but I would say that my greatest accomplishment has been to walk the uncommon road; to see a vision for research that will build the kingdom and together with colleagues and students to see this vision become a reality.

• 2009-2023—Student-engaged research database on hate crimes against Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
• 2022-2023—Student-engaged research on human rights with special focus on Uyghur genocide.
• 2011—Article: “Governing the Faithful: A discussion of religious freedom and liberal democracies with particular focus on the United Kingdom,” International Journal for Religious Freedom, Vol. 4, Issue 2.
• 2011—Research Agenda: “Responses to Persecution,” International Journal for Religious Freedom, Vol. 4, Issue 1. (with Tom Weingartner and Aaron Johnson)
• 2011—Paper: “Governing the Faithful,” delivered at the International Studies Conference, Montreal.
• 2010—Book: Justifying America’s Wars. Routledge: August 2010.
• 2009—Article: “Justifying War in the Cold War: the shifting war discourse of US Presidents 1990-1999” Defense and Security Analysis, Volume 25, Number 4, December July 2009.
• 2009—Book chapter: “Coercing Solidarism: The secular and religious in US exceptionalism,” in Durward, R and Marsden, L. (2009) Religion, Conflict and Military Intervention. Final manuscript submission May 2009.
• 2008—Article: “Justifying the use of force in a post-9/11 world,” International Affairs, Volume 84, Number 5, Sept 2008.
• 2008—Paper: “Coercive Solidarism and the US Pursuit of Freedom,” presented at the English School Workshop, Institute of Advanced Study, University of Bristol.
• 2007—Paper: “International System Resurgent: Justifying the Use of Force in a Post-9/11 World,” presented at the 42^nd Annual BISA Conference, University of Cambridge.
• 2007—Paper: “Saving Bush from the Manicheans,” presented at the 6^th Bi-AnnualCPS Conference, Chicago.
• 2006—Paper: “Justifying and Practicing War: Retreating World Society?,” presented at the 41^st Annual BISA Conference, University of Cork.
• 2005—Paper: “Restoring Christianity to the English School,” presented at the 1^st Annual WISC Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.

Featured Publications

Biography

I specialize in religious freedom with a focus on Christianity. This work is best nurtured on a Christian campus which not only loves Christ, but lives to serve the global church. Here my work is welcomed and encouraged. Here too I am able to teach and interact with some of the best young Christians in the world. It is a blessing to be a part of young men and women’s lives; to see them grow in the Lord, in knowledge and wisdom; to help equip them for life.

In addition to my teaching and writing I am blessed with an abundant and varied life that includes: owning a local coffee shop, pastoring a local church, raising sheep on my farm, coaching two rugby teams, and trying my hand at carpentry!