Liam Monsell
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Protection Group International
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After graduating from the University of Exeter, I completed an MSc in Security and International Relations at University College London (UCL). I then worked for a year as a probation officer for HM Prison and Probation service, before joining Moonshot CVE as a Counter-Extremism Intelligence Analyst. Following this, I moved to Protection Group International (PGI), where I currently serve as a Senior Intelligence Analyst and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) subject matter expert. In this role, I lead teams focused on identifying and disrupting online harms, including extremist mobilisation, foreign influence, and disinformation. I also lead the company’s OSINT training delivery. My work combines intelligence collection, data science, and strategic research.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I’ve always had a strong interest in crime, human rights, security, and conflict, which naturally led me to a career in intelligence. I’m drawn to puzzles, codes, and sleuthing, elements that feature prominently in my day-to-day role. My academic background focused on historical research, and I now apply those analytical skills to studying current events with an eye toward their future impact. My work places me at the forefront of evolving hybrid security challenges, offering fresh topics and complex problems each week. It’s a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that I find deeply rewarding.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Exeter University Amateur Boxing Club (EUABC), Beats and Bass Society, Politics Society, and I was a writer for Exposé and the Witness.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The convergence of politics, history, and psychology. The inclusion of security based topics also influenced my career path.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
The dynamic campus life, the diversity of opportunities, and Firehouse pizza.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Exeter was my first choice due to its course and module offerings (particularly those focused on political psychology and conflict), in addition to the student life and sport facilities.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Curiosity will get you far. Versatility will get you further. Try new things, think creatively, be open to direction and feedback, and be resilient in the face of difficulty.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Learn another language. Learn to apply theory to practice. Let your subject matter knowledge be taken further by practical skills that can help you access and interpret the world’s data and information. Don’t pigeon hole yourself as “unmathematical” or “untechnical” – push yourself to learn technical skills, such as coding, quantitative data analysis, and open-source intelligence. Embrace your learning style, and what makes you unique. If you don’t get your dream job straight away (very few people do) – then relax, all experience is valuable. Don’t neglect your extracurriculars or hobbies!
What are your plans for the future?
I’m always looking to improve my skills, and become more involved in the steering of my company, and the wider sector’s, resilience against hybrid threats. I aspire to lead the development of novel ways to detect threats and understand complex behaviours. Additionally, I plan to improve access to these skill sets and the information they help produce.
