

Dr Matthew Powell
Biography
I joined Portsmouth Business School in July 2017 Between 2012 to 2015 I held a number of teaching roles at the University of Birmingham. I undertook a PhD at the University of Birmingham, supervised by Air Commodore (ret’d) Dr Peter Gray, with my thesis focusing on the development of tactical air power in Britain during the Second World War through the study of the RAF’s Army Co-operation Command. I also hold an MA in Intelligence and Security Studies and a BA (Hons) degree both from the University of Salford. My first book, entitled The Development of British Tactical Air Power, 1940-1943: A History of Army Co-operation Command was published in 2016 by Palgrave Macmillan.
Research interests
I am currently researching and writing a book that investigates the relationship between the RAF and the aviation industry between 1919 and 1939, looking at not only the decisions made by the Air Ministry and technological developments but the political, economic, diplomatic and foreign policy aspects of the period into account. Other research interests include the use of air power as a strategic and political instrument and the development of tactical air power between 1914 and 1945.
I am happy to receive informal enquiries relating to doctoral degree (Ph.D) supervision on any air power topic but particularly in the areas of Air/Land Integration, Historic Military Procurement and the utilisation of air power as an instrument of strategy
Media availability
I am available for TV, radio newspaper interviews and historical consultancy. My expertise lie in:
- Air power history - 19th and 20th century land and aerial warfare - A wide range of military history, especially anything that involves air power/ bombingResearch outputs
2025
NATO: 5 per cento per le spese della difesa, un obiettivo realistico?
Powell, M. L.
2 Jul 2025, In: L'indro
Research output: Article
Russia: una recessione da scongiurare
Powell, M. L.
25 Jun 2025, In: L'indro
Research output: Article
Israel’s air strength is giving it a free hand over Iran
Powell, M. L.
17 Jun 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
Kyiv’s allies have lifted restrictions on Ukraine attacking targets inside Russia - here’s what that means for the war
Powell, M. L.
31 May 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
Golden Dome: what Trump should learn from Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ missile defence system plan
Powell, M. L.
22 May 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
The US has lifted its intelligence sharing pause with Ukraine. But the damage may already be done
Townley, D. L., Powell, M. L.
12 Mar 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
The challenges and opportunities for academics in professional military education
Powell, M. L., Townley, D. L.
26 Feb 2025, In: Defence Studies, 18p.
Research output: Article
Suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is ramping up regional defence
Powell, M. L.
27 Jan 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
2024
Introducing the Oreshnik missile: Vladimir Putin’s not-so-secret weapon
Powell, M. L.
2 Dec 2024, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
Israel-Iran and the nine stages of how conflicts can escalate and get out of control
Powell, M. L.
16 Oct 2024, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article