Simon Griffiths

Dr. Simon Griffiths is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Goldsmiths, University of London. He joined the department in 2008 after roles as a Senior Policy Advisor at the British Academy, a parliamentary researcher, and work at a think tank. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics (2006), an MSc in Political Theory (2001), and a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Oxford (1998). Griffiths focuses on contemporary British politics, political ideologies, and public policy, with a particular interest in political parties, the history of political thought, and post-New Labour ideology.

• PhD, London School of Economics, 2006
• MSc in Political Theory, London School of Economics, 2001
• BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, Wadham College, Oxford, 1998

His research spans political ideologies, public services, and British politics. He has supervised PhD students on topics like New Labour, post-war Conservatism, and trade unionism. Griffiths co-authored the textbook British Politics (2018) and contributed to debates on austerity, the Labour Party, and the Conservative-Liberal coalition. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2025) and has served as a media commentator on British politics.

His recent publications (2025) analyze Keir Starmer’s electoral strategy and Kenneth Minogue’s critique of ideology. Earlier works examine austerity’s impact on public services, rhetorical ethos in Labour leadership, and the legacy of the Cameron-Clegg government. Griffiths emphasizes the intersection of ideology, policy, and governance, particularly in UK contexts.

Scientific Awards:

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2025

Griffiths has advised on UK public services through reports and edited collections. He has taught modules on British politics and public policy at Goldsmiths, including a third-year work placement course. His 2025 British Politics article applies ‘politics of support’ frameworks to Labour’s 2024 victory, while his Society article critiques ideological paradigms.