Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Dr David Lowe
Senior Research Fellow
David is a senior research fellow at Leeds Beckett's Law School. Prior to entering academia David was police officer up to his retirement from the service in 2007 where he carried out various uniform and CID roles. During the latter part of his police career he began studying part time. After retiring as a detective sergeant, he began his academic career at Liverpool John Moores University's Law School.
Mainly due to his background and operational practice, David's main research interests are in terrorism & security, policing and criminal law. He is widely published in these areas and his expertise has been called on to be an expert witness that has included the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit, SO15 on terrorists' use of tradecraft (counter-surveillance techniques) and for the Irish state prosecutor and the Irish police (An Garda Siochana) regarding evidence obtained from electronic communications. he has also provided expert witness reports in a number of cases involving extreme far-right inspired terrorism. David is consistently requested by national and international media for expert commentary in his research interests.
David is currently involved in a number of projects related to Prevent strategy that assists and safeguards those who are vulnerable to being drawn towards terrorism. He is currently assisting the Northern Ireland Assembly on drafting the Hate Crime bill. David is a panel expert on the UN's UNESCO Chair on Violent Extremism. He is a member of the Counter-Terrorism Advisory Group and the All Party Parliamentary Committee on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, where he attends meetings at the Houses of Parliament at Westminster to provide advice on Prevent. David is a member if the Academic Resilience & Security Community which is a network of universities formed to promote academic engagement in solving challenges in national security and resilience in the public sector. Academic RiSC is recognized by the Home Office and other Government Departments as a portal to academia for this area. David is a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner temple (one of the UK's four inns of Court)
Current Teaching
- LLB UK Anti-Terrorism Law
Module Leader for Global Security, Counter-Terrorism and Justice module on the LLM International Law: Conflict, Security and Human Rights.
Research Interests
- Terrorism & Security
- Extremist ideology/Paramilitaries & Hate Crime Policing (including states other than the UK)
- Human Rights
- Criminal Law
All of David's research areas are linked and emanate from his previous occupation as a police officer where he investigated these areas during his service. Human rights law is embedded in in the research areas as it is in investigation and prosecution cases. During investigations the police must ensure their actions are compatible with human rights legislation as do prosecution services during the investigation and when preparing and presenting the case.
In addition to providing an expert witness service in these areas, David is currently involved in several research projects. One is based in the north of England dealing with Special Education Needs and Disability children and young people (SEND), who are vulnerable to being exploited by extremists and organised crime criminals. In 2024, he co-wrote a government report covering SEND children and young people who have adverse childhood experiences where his input examined the impact extremists and paramilitaries (predominantly in Northern Ireland) have on those children who suffer from various forms of mental illness.
David is also involved in a project working with European partners examining online and offline hate crime and extremism, working on recommending changes in legislation, policy and practice (mainly with police and prosecution services) to increase compatibility in these areas in order enhance an effective international co-operation between police and prosecution services in Europe. He is embarking on a similar project dealing with radicalisation methods utilised by extremists.
PhD Supervision
David welcomes prospective PhD students within the following areas of research:
- Terrorism & Security
- Extremist ideology/Paramilitaries & Hate Crime Policing (including states other than the UK)
- Human Rights
- Criminal Law
If you are a prospective student who would like to speak to David about PhD supervision, please contact David by email.
Ask Me About
- Criminal law
- Crime
- Law
- Police
- Security
- Terrorism
Selected Outputs
- Fellow of Higher Education Academy2013
- LSU Amazing Teacher2012
- Police Good Conduct and Long Service Medal2004
- Queens Jubilee Medal2002
- All Party Parliamentary Committee : Member
- Academic Resilience & Security Community : Member
- Honourable Society of the Inner temple : Member
The Granada Debate: Has the government abandoned its promise for a transport revolution?
ITV News - online
On this episode, the panel discuss the Integrated Rail Plan and terrorism in the North West.
View moreIS-K, Al-Qaeda to use Afghan refugee's flow to sneak its members into US, EU: Report
ANI - online
Dr David Lowe, a senior research fellow at Leeds Beckett University Law School and head of a consultancy business in terrorism and security...
View moreLeeds sees 'concerning' rise in referrals to anti-extremism scheme Prevent
Yorkshire Evening Post - online
Dr David Lowe, a former police officer and now senior research fellow at Leeds Beckett's Law School, with interests in terrorism. He is involved in Prevent projects and is a member of an All Party Parliamentary Committee, where he attends meetings at the Houses of Parliament at Westminster to provide advice on Prevent. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
View more
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Lowe D (2020) Determining exrtremist behaviour: differentiating between freedom of expression, legitimate political commentary and hate. In: Lowe D; Bennett R ed. Prevent Strategy: Helping the Vulnerable being drawn towards Terrorism or Another Layer of State Surveillance?. London: Routledge, pp. 51-72.
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Lowe D (2020) ‘Race Hate Crime or Terrorism related Legislation: Which is the most effective in dealing with extreme far right activity?’. In: Douaihy S ed. Les Raciness Religieuses de la Radicalization: fait ou fiction? (Religious roots of radicalization: fact or fiction?),. Montreal, Canada: Presses de l’universite de Montreal,
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Lowe D (2019) EU data protection law: Is it fettering police ability to investigate terrorist activity and organised crime?. In: Lowe D; Hale-Ross S ed. Terrorism and State Surveillance of Communications. London: Routledge, pp. 38-64.
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Lowe D (2019) Legislating Non-Violent Extremism in Prevent Strategies: The Example of the UK. In: Engelhart M; Roksandić Vidlička S ed. Dealing with Terrorism: Empirical and Normative Challenges of Fighting the Islamic State. Duncker & Humbolt,
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Lowe D (2018) Data Protection and Rights to Privacy Involved in Intelligence Gathering and International Intelligence Exchange’. In: Roberson C ed. Routledge Handbook on Social Justice. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 292-308.
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Lowe D (2017) Surveillance of Electronic Communications and the Law’. In: Morley S; Turner J; Corteen K; Taylor P ed. A Companion to State Power, Liberties & Rights. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 272-273.
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Lowe D (2017) Jon Murphy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, UK. In: Baker B; Das D ed. Trends in Policing: Interviews with Police Leaders Across the Globe. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 35-50.
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Lowe D (2015) Handling Informers. In: Eterno J; Roberson C ed. The Detective's Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 193-210.
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Lowe D (2014) Medical Examination of Mentally Disordered/Mentally Vulnerable Detainees in Police Custody in England and Wales. In: Guzman M; Das M; Das D ed. The Evolution of Policing. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 389-404.
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Lowe D (2010) Spooking the Spooks: Conducting Research intothe UK's Integrated Speical Branch. In: Roberson C; Das D; Singer J ed. Police Without Borders: The Fading Distinction Between Local and Global. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 217-240.
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Lowe D (2020) Terrorists’ use of electronic communications [Online] Counter Terror Business,.
Available from: https://counterterrorbusiness.com/features/terrorists%E2%80%99-use-electronic-communications
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Lowe D (2019) London Bridge attack: why longer sentences for terrorist offences are not the answer [Online] The Converation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/london-bridge-attack-why-longer-sentences-for-terrorist-offences-are-not-the-answer-128154
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Lowe D (2017) Why the difference in operational clothing? [Online] Counter Terroris Business.
Available from: http://www.counterterrorbusiness.com/features/why-difference-operational-clothing
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Lowe D (2017) Plugging into EU Justice and Home Affairs policies [Online] The UK in a Changing Europe.
Available from: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/plugging-into-eu-justice-and-home-affairs-policies/
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Lowe D (2017) Manchester attack: as bombs return, what can be done to make venues safer? [Online]
Available from: https://theconversation.com/manchester-attack-as-bombs-return-what-can-be-done-to-make-venues-safer-78199
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Lowe D (2017) Run, hide, tell – treat? The public now has a role to play in Westminster-style attack [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/run-hide-tell-treat-the-public-now-has-a-role-to-play-in-westminster-style-attacks-75253
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Lowe D (2017) Terrorism in Westminster: London had expected attack for some time and police reaction was rapid [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/terrorism-in-westminster-london-had-expected-attack-for-some-time-and-police-reaction-was-rapid-75024
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Lowe D (2016) Jo Cox murder reminds us that terrorism comes in many forms [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/jo-cox-murder-reminds-us-that-terrorism-comes-in-many-forms-69372
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Lowe D (2016) Nice attack reminds France the state can’t keep you safe 100% of the time [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/nice-attack-reminds-france-the-state-cant-keep-you-safe-100-of-the-time-62558
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Lowe D (2016) Jo Cox killing: what can be done to protect MPs – and British democracy? [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/jo-cox-killing-what-can-be-done-to-protect-mps-and-british-democracy-61193
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Lowe D (2016) How can French authorities prevent a terrorist attack during Euro 2016 [Online] The Conversatsion.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/how-can-french-authorities-prevent-a-terrorist-attack-during-euro-2016-60834
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Lowe D (2016) Fact Check: could someone be extradited without evidence under a European Arrest Warrant [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/fact-check-could-someone-be-extradited-without-evidence-under-a-european-arrest-warrant-59629
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Lowe D (2015) Sinai crash: what do we really know? [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/sinai-crash-what-do-we-really-know-50262
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Lowe D (2015) Europol tasked with online search-and-destroy mission to combat Islamic State [Online] The Conversation.
Available from: https://theconversation.com/europol-tasked-with-online-search-and-destroy-mission-to-combat-islamic-state-43748
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Lowe D (2024) Hate Crime in Northern Ireland: The Need for Legislation and a Bespoke Version of the Prevent Strategy. Terrorism and Political Violence, pp. 1-22.
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Lowe D (2023) Palestinian Protests, Freedom of Expression and Freedom Association: When do Speeches Become a Hate Crime or Incitement to Commit Acts of Terrorism?. Expert Witness Journal, (52), pp. 60-63.
https://www.expertwitness.co.uk/articles/back-issues/issue-52-december-2023
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Lowe D (2023) Not Flying the Union Flag, the Irish Language and the Northern Ireland Protocol: Are we Seeing a Potential Return to Loyalist Terrorism?. Expert Witness Journal, (47), pp. 59-63.
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Lowe D (2022) The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Report into the Police Handling of Loyalist Murders in Belfast 1990-1998: A Lesson for Contemporary Policing in the Use of Informants. Expert Witness Journal
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Lowe D (2022) Issues Related to Establishing Causes Behind Terrorist Attacks: The Liverpool Attack Conundrum. Counter-IED report, (Winter), pp. 27-31.
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Lowe D (2021) The Covert Human a Intelligence Source (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021: Making Lawful Criminal Conduct. The Expert Witness
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Lowe D (2021) Preparation of Terrorist Acts, Section 5 Terrorism Act 2006: Evidence Required and Sentencing Guidelines. Expert Witness Journal, pp. 94-98.
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Lowe D (2021) The Impact of Brexit on the Increase in Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Activity. Counter IED Report
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Lowe D (2021) Post-Brexit will EU Data Protection Law Still Impact on Police Investigations into Terrorism and Organised Crime?. Expert Witness Journal
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Lowe D (2020) Manchester Arena Bombings: main lessons that have been learnt. Counter IED Report
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Lowe D (2020) Far-Right Extremism : Is it Legitimate Freedom of Expression, Hate Crime or Terrorism?. Terrorism and Political Violence
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Lowe D (2017) Prevent Strategies: Time to re-brand them and minimise divisiveness. Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal, 5 (1),
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Lowe D (2017) Prevent Strategies: Time to re-brand them and minimise divisiveness. Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal, 5 (1), pp. 235-241.
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Lowe D (2017) Prevent Strategies: The Problems Associated in Defining Extremism: The Case of the United Kingdom. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
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Lowe D (2017) The European Union’s Passenger Name Record Data Directive 2016/681: Is It Fit for Purpose?. International Criminal Law Review, 17 (1),
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Lowe D (2016) Prevent/Resilience Strategies: Are they Inclusive or Divisive?. The New Jurist
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Lowe D (2016) The Implications of the Schrems Decision and ending of the US-EU Safe Harbour Agreement. The New Jurist
http://newjurist.com/the-implications-of-the-schrems-decision.html
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Lowe D (2016) Surveillance and International Terrorism Intelligence Exchange: Balancing the Interests of National Security and Individual Liberty. Terrorism and Political Violence, 28 (4), pp. 653-673.
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Lowe D (2015) Why in Widening Surveillance Powers of Electronic Communications, Co-Operation is needed with Internet and Communications Service Providers. The New Jurist
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Lowe D (2015) The Issues Islamic State’s Communications Strategy Pose in Russia and the UK: A Comparative Study of Problems Faced and Ways to Counter Them’. The Russian Academic Journal, 20 (1), pp. 23-42.
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Lowe D (2015) Review of Holt, Burruss and Bossler’s Policing Cybercrime and Cyberterror’. Criminal Justice Review, 41 (2), pp. 248-249.
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Lowe D (2014) Review of Cian Murphy’s EU Counter-Terrorism Law’. European Public Law, 20 (2), pp. 361-363.
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Lowe D (2013) Review of Steve Peers’ Justice and Home Affairs Law’. European Public Law, 19 (1), pp. 211-213.
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Lowe D (2011) Lack of Discretion in High Policing’. Policing and Society, 21 (2), pp. 233-247.
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Lowe D (2006) EU Criminal Law: In through the back door’. Journal of Academic Legal Studies, 2 pp. 30-38.
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Lowe D (2020) Terrorist’s Use of Tradecraft.
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Lowe D (2020) Terrorists’ use of electronic communications.
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Lowe D (2019) London Bridge attack: Why longer sentences for terrorist offences are not the answer.
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Lowe D (2019) ‘London Bridge attack: why longer sentences for terrorist offences are not the answer’.
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Lowe D (2019) Christchurch Terrorist Attack, the Far-Right and Social Media: What can we Learn?.
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Lowe D (2019) Christchurch Terrorist Attack, The Far-Right and Social Media: What can we learn?.
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LOWE D (2022) Terrorism, Law and Policy A Comparative Study. Routledge.
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Lowe D; Bennett R (2020) Prevent Strategy: Helping the Vulnerable being drawn towards Terrorism or Another Layer of State Surveillance. London: Routledge.
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Lowe D; Hale-Ross S eds. Lowe D (2019) Terrorism and State Surveillance of Communications. London: Routledge.
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eds. Hale-Ross S; Lowe D (2019) Terrorism and State Surveillance of Communications. Routledge.
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Lowe D (2018) Terrorism Law and Policy.
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Lowe D; Das DK (2017) Trends in the Judiciary Interviews with Judges Across the Globe, Volume Three. Routledge.
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Lowe D (2015) Policing Terrorism Research Studies into Police Counterterrorism Investigations. CRC Press.
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Lowe D; Das DK (2015) Trends in the Judiciary Interviews with Judges Across the Globe, Volume Two. CRC Press.
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Lowe D; Turk AT; Das DK (2013) Examining Political Violence Studies of Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Internal War. CRC Press.
