Dr Paul French, a criminology lecturer at the University of Chester from Strabane, is researching a book on the Troubles' effects in his home town and surrounding district over 60 years.

He has conducted 20 interviews with former paramilitaries, direct victims, and indirect witnesses. French aims to reach 50 or more interviews, including perspectives from nationalist, Protestant, and unionist backgrounds.

French received an invitation to present his project at the UK-German Frontiers of Humanity Symposium in Bonn, Germany. The event, hosted by the British Academy and the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation, gathers about 30 young researchers from the UK and Germany across disciplines.

The British Academy encouraged French to apply based on his research details for a June talk.

French plans to start writing the book by summer after completing interviews and analysis. He targets publication in 2027 and seeks a publisher for commercial release.

Strabane, a border town in Tyrone, served as a central location for Troubles events.