Lydia Day

I am a PhD researcher and the Project Coordinator of Unredacted, a research unit based in the University of Westminster that investigates and documents secretive UK state and corporate practices in the context of national security. I began my PhD in autumn 2025 and was awarded a Quentin Hogg Trust scholarship. 

Prior to joining Westminster, I worked for several years for NGOs such as Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and Action on Armed Violence, leading research and advocacy work across human rights, defence and security, and civilian harm issues. My work was particularly focused on strengthening transparency, accountability and oversight mechanisms for abuses arising from the UK’s defence and security practices. 

I hold a BA from the University of Cambridge (1st Class) and a MA from King's College London (Distinction). 

My PhD research examines the UK's training, advising and partnering of 'local' forces, often referred to as security assistance. In particular, I am interested on how this relates to human rights, empire, and liberal warmaking. 

For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.