Alexander Beresford

Dr. Alexander Beresford is an Associate Professor in African Politics and Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS). He holds affiliations with the Centre for Social Change at the University of Johannesburg and the Leeds University Business School’s CERIC (Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change). His work focuses on South Africa’s political dynamics, global norm contestation, climate change, and just transition policies. He leads major research projects including a €666,000 Hans Böckler Foundation initiative on just transition in 12 countries.

Education: PhD African Studies (Edinburgh), MSc African Studies (Edinburgh), BA Politics with International Studies (Lancaster). Professional memberships include the Royal African Society and British International Studies Association (BISA).

Research interests include norm contestation in international relations, South Africa’s role in global vaccine diplomacy, and the interplay of corruption and governance. He conceptualizes 'gatekeeper politics' to analyze power struggles in South Africa. His interdisciplinary approach bridges African agency in global norms and local socio-economic challenges.

Recent publications explore populism’s emancipatory potential, Ebola crisis governance, and South Africa’s political crises. He is an associate editor of the British Journal of Politics and International Relations and sits on editorial boards of African Affairs and the Review of African Political Economy.

Awards include the POLIS Inspirational Teaching Award (2015, 2017) and recognition for digital education innovation. He supervises postgraduate researchers and teaches modules on African state politics and post-conflict reconciliation.