testimonials
Dr Richard Mills
Senior Lecturer in Modern European History
University of East Anglia
Elliot is an intrepid researcher. Having observed his methods during a decade of postgraduate study, it is evident that his deep understanding of complex societal change derives from immersive observation, interaction, and analysis. He is adept at mining archives and libraries, but his unique insights derive from direct experience.
What better way to comprehend processes of post-war reconstruction in Bosnia & Hercegovina, than to learn the language, live, and work there? How can one hope to grasp the political nuances of Kosovo, Libya, or the Middle East without first appreciating the geography and cultures of these polities?
Elliot’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge is complemented by an engaging personality, a creative approach to his subject, and a talent for analytical writing. These attributes shine through in his publications. Above all though, he is a pleasure to work with.
I have been quite pleased with his work. A recently completed study of statebuilding in four countries provided important new insights about the subject that should be useful to others doing that kind of work. I expect to continue to sponsor research by Dr. Short as long as he is available to do it.
Milt Lauenstein
Peacebuilder and Philanthropist
Professor Cathie Carmichael
Professor of History
University of East Anglia
As a potential colleague and co-worker, Elliot comes with my highest possible recommendation. He is also developing into a formidable military historian whose careful empirical approach is yielding excellent results.
A team player, he worked well with other students as an undergraduate and was a very popular student in the Faculty. He took an undergraduate course with me on ‘Communism and Nationalism in Yugoslavia’, writing an excellent long essay on peacekeeping in Goražde. He had already spent some time in Bosnia before he took the course and had a very firm background in the region. Most of his courses he did were on the contemporary world, including the Middle East. He graduated with first class honours in 2012. He then completed a Masters degree graduating with a distinction and has recently completed a Ph.D on the formation of the Bosnian Army. This was an important project and Elliot was the first scholar to really tackle the subject with rigour and empirical depth.
His writing style is direct and clear and he has a clear capacity for analytical thought. His external examiner Professor James Gow commended the thesis for its originality. He has recently published a research article on military history based on one of the chapters of his Ph.D which yielded interesting results. He is now preparing the thesis for publication as a monograph with Bloomsbury Academic who have an impressive list on South-eastern Europe. He clearly has a great future ahead of him as a writer and researcher. While at UEA, Elliot also taught on our third year modules in the School of History with great success.
Elliot works hard and is a genuinely friendly, curious person with no guile or pretention. Since he graduated, he has travelled around the world, continuing the many journeys he has already made, including trips to Libya and India. His travel will have enhanced his communication skills and sense of respect for other cultures. While studying for his doctorate, he lived and worked in Sarajevo spending a great deal of time in the Bosnian archives. He also learnt Bosnian very well and has become a natural cultural diplomat. These skills will equip him well in the historical research of the military as well as other related projects. I can support this application warmly and without hesitation. I have no doubt he would be a committed, thoughtful and reliable colleague.
Joseph Waddington
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Tiffany C. Kidwell
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Diane Geter
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