Following a prizewinning double First Class degree in Geography at the University of Oxford (Brasenose College), where he was also Organ Scholar, Edward subsequently gained a prizewinning MPhil in International Relations, followed by a DPhil in International Relations, also from the University of Oxford. His doctoral research focused on questions of North Korea’s engagement with international order, through its nuclear programme. Outside of his research, Edward is an organist, a keen traveller, and enjoys sampling a range of cuisine.

Teaching

Edward teaches undergraduate Politics papers, namely the core paper in International Relations, as well as optional papers on Politics in China, International Relations in the era of the Cold War, International Relations in the era of the Two World Wars, and International Security & Conflict. In addition to supervising undergraduate theses pertaining to East Asian politics, Edward also teaches and supervises students on the graduate M.Phil. in International Relations. 

Research Interests

Edward’s research is focused on North Korea’s domestic and foreign policies, its nuclear programme, and implications on international order. He frequently contributes to national and international media outlets, including BBC World News and ITV News, as an analyst on North and South Korea, and is a contributing writer for The Economist Intelligence Unit. His wider interests lie within East Asian international relations, both historical and contemporary, authoritarian regimes, and international security. A further research interest is in the geographies of air travel. Edward is always eager to discuss any of these areas. 

Selected Publications

EHK Howell, The juche H-bomb? North Korea, nuclear weapons and regime-state survival' International Affairs, 96(4), 2020, 1051-1068 

‘Book Review: Becoming Kim Jong Un: a former CIA officer's insights into North Korea's enigmatic young dictator’ International Affairs, 2021, 97(1), 254-256

Selected Recent Media Publications

South Korea’s next president faces formidable inertia on North Korea – NK Pro, March 2, 2022

Small state, grand strategy: North Korea’s policy plans for 2022 and beyond – NK Pro, January 21, 2022

Can Kim Jong-un survive for another ten years? – The Spectator, December 19 2021

No matter what Biden does, North Korea will still accuse him of ‘hostile policy’ – NK Pro, May 7 2021

Biden must learn from Trump’s mistakes on North Korea - The Spectator, March 4 2021

Does Kim Jong-un want the ‘dotard’ or the ‘snob’ to win? - The Spectator, October 31 2020