Paul has research specializations in comparative post-authoritarian politics, human security and localised responses to militant extremism with a focus on Indonesia, Southeast Asia, MENA and the Asia Pacific. He has published widely in his fields including the monograph The Road from Authoritarianism to Democratization in Indonesia (Palgrave Macmillan) and an edited book on Human Insecurities in Southeast Asia (Springer). He has been awarded multiple research grants with related output in leading international journals including Pacific Affairs, the Middle East Quarterly, Journal of Terrorism Research and Australian Journal of International Affairs. Paul has extensive applied research experience and networks having lived and worked previously in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Comparative democratic transitions, Post-authoritarian politics (Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific and MENA), Globalization, Migration, Human security, Localized responses to militant extremism, Identity, language and power relations