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Patrick DiamondView profile

Professor

• UK Productivity and Regional Inequality
• Public Policy Analysis
• Comparative Governance
• +7 more

Professor Patrick Diamond is a leading academic in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London's School of Politics and International Relations. He holds a BA, MPhil from Cambridge, and a PhD from Sheffield. His work focuses on UK productivity, regional inequality, governance structures, and social democratic ideologies. He has held senior roles in UK government, including Head of Policy Planning in Downing Street, and has been a Local Councillor in Southwark. Currently, he chairs Policy Network, advises international organizations, and serves on boards of think-tanks and trusts. His research explores policy advisory systems, Brexit impacts, and Labour Party evolution. He has authored over 20 books and numerous articles, including seminal works on British political history and governance reform. He has secured significant research funding from ESRC, Research England, and others. Educational Background: BA, MPhil (Cambridge); PhD (Sheffield). Research Interests: UK productivity, regional inequality, comparative governance, policy advisory systems, Northern Ireland governance, social democracy, and British Labour Party dynamics. He has led projects on English governance post-Brexit, well-being mapping in London, and economic change in East London. Awards and Grants: ESRC Productivity Institute grant (2022-25), Research England Impact Fund (2023-24), multiple ESRC Impact Acceleration Awards. Fellowships include Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College (Oxford), Policy Fellow at the Ministry of Justice Strategy Unit, and Academy of Social Sciences membership. Students and Supervision: Supervised PhD candidates including Matthew Lloyd, Fathima Sulaiman, and Karl Pike, focusing on British politics, governance, and policy analysis. Active in mentoring doctoral research on political leadership and spatial policy. Public Engagement: Advises international bodies like the Latin American Development Bank and Humana International. Serves on boards of Dartington Service Design Lab and Prisoners’ Education Trust. Regularly contributes to media outlets including BBC Radio 4, Guardian, and Financial Times.

• Political Geography
• Human Geography
• Welsh Nationalism
• +10 more

Rhys Jones is a Professor of Human Geography and former Head of Department in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University. He is a leading scholar in political geography, with a focus on Welsh nationalism, state territoriality, devolution, and behavioral insights in public policy. He is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) and the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), and serves on the Board of Natural Resources Wales, demonstrating significant academic and public impact. His research interests center on the interplay between identity, place, and governance. Key themes include the spatial dimensions of Welsh nationalism, the peopled character of the state, devolution in the UK, and the ethical and practical applications of behavioral science in policymaking. His work often engages with issues of spatial justice, territorial cohesion, and regional movements within the European Union. The recent publications and projects reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research. His work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, commissioned reports, and digital media outputs, with a focus on heritage tourism, linguistic vitality, and cross-border dynamics between Wales and Ireland. He frequently collaborates with researchers across institutions and nations, particularly through EU-funded programs like Horizon 2020 and INTERREG. His scientific recognitions include: Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) Gwobr Adnodd Cyfrwng Cymraeg (Welsh Language Resource Award, 2020) Rhys Jones has secured substantial research funding from the ESRC, AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, Horizon 2020, INTERREG, and the Welsh Government. He leads or contributes to multiple active projects, including those on territorial cohesion in the EU, regional movements, and heritage tourism. He also plays a key role in knowledge exchange, public engagement, and media outreach, particularly on issues related to Welsh identity, language, and governance. He is actively involved in organizing exhibitions, film launches, and public talks, often in collaboration with cultural and academic partners in Wales and Ireland. He is involved in several research networks and teams, including the WISERD Civil Society project and the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, and strong institutions.

Michael LaneView profile

Lecturer

• International Human Rights Law
• Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
• Human Rights Recommendations Implementation
• +3 more

Michael Lane is a Lecturer in Law at Newman University's Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies since January 2023. Previously, he was a visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University. He holds an LLB and LLM in International Human Rights and is completing a PhD funded by UK Research and Innovation, focusing on the UK's engagement with the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR). His research bridges law, international relations, and social sciences to analyze state behavior and human rights implementation. Education: LLB, LLM (International Human Rights), PhD candidate (Law, Birmingham City University) Affiliations: Member of UPRAN, Society of Legal Scholars (SLS), and Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Research Interests: His PhD examines the UK's engagement with the UPR, emphasizing empirical analysis of state behavior and legal change. He explores devolution's role in UPR mechanisms and contributes to policy advocacy via UN submissions and UK parliamentary evidence. Publications: Michael has authored peer-reviewed articles in the Nordic Journal of Human Rights, Human Rights Law Review, and Journal of Human Rights Practice. Upcoming work includes a book chapter on UPR and UK devolution. He has also contributed expert reports to the UN and submissions to UK parliamentary committees. Professional Activities: Co-authored stakeholder reports on women's rights and migrants' rights with institutions like Pace University and 4 King’s Bench Walk. His work has influenced UN outcomes and domestic policy discussions on human rights. Labs/Teams: Active in the UPR Project at Birmingham City University, collaborating on submissions addressing human rights challenges in areas like abortion access and domestic abuse in Northern Ireland, and migrants' rights.

Yolande BoukaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Gender and security
• African politics
• African security
• +6 more

Yolande Bouka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, where her research and teaching bridge International Relations, gender studies, and African security. Holding a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University and an M.A. from Seton Hall University, she previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Denver. Education Ph.D., International Relations – American University M.A. – Seton Hall University Research Interests Dr Bouka’s scholarship interrogates the intersections of gender, political violence, and security in Africa. Her current multi-sited historical and political analysis examines female combatants in Southern Africa, while her forthcoming book manuscript In the Shadow of Prison explores power, identity, and transitional justice in post-genocide Rwanda. She is particularly interested in decolonial approaches to fieldwork ethics, non-state armed groups, and the gendered dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding. Across her publications—ranging from high-impact journals to policy briefs—three thematic strands are evident: (1) gendered political participation and violence in Kenya’s devolved system, (2) continental and international mediation efforts in the African Great Lakes region, and (3) critical reflections on race, positionality, and methodology in the study of African politics. Awards & Fellowships Fulbright Scholar Program Fellowship American Association of University Women Fellowship Grants, Advisory Roles & Field Experience Bouka’s research has been supported by competitive international grants and underpinned by extensive fieldwork. She currently sits on the Research Advisory Council of the RESOLVE Network, a global consortium dedicated to empirically grounded research on violent extremism. Between 2014 and 2016 she led the Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis Division of the Institute for Security Studies in Nairobi, managing multi-country projects on peace and security in the Great Lakes Region. She has provided technical expertise and research support to USAID, the UK Department for International Development, the United Nations, the African Union, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the United States Institute of Peace. Labs & Research Teams While no formal laboratory is listed, Dr Bouka collaborates with a transnational network of scholars and policy institutes through the RESOLVE Network and maintains active partnerships with research centres across Africa, Europe, and North America.

• Territorial Politics
• European Union
• German Federalism
• +5 more

Carolyn Rowe is Reader in Politics and co-director of the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE) at Aston University's School of Politics, History and International Relations. She is an expert in territorial politics within the European Union, German federalism, and devolution in the United Kingdom. Dr. Rowe has provided analysis on Brexit, devolved governance, and the role of German Länder in the EU to various organizations including EU institutions, the Scottish Parliament, and the UK Shadow Europe team. She currently leads research projects funded by DAAD and the James Madison Charitable Trust, focusing on multi-level governance post-pandemic and intergovernmental relations in the UK after Brexit. Her research primarily examines how subnational entities interact with the European Union and how governance structures adapt to political changes like Brexit and pandemics. Her work spans territorial politics, federalism studies, and the evolving dynamics of paradiplomacy across European regions. Member of Editorial Advisory Board for German Politics (since 2021) Former guest editor for German Politics (2008) Research referenced in news outlets, academic platforms, and Wikipedia As an educator, Dr. Rowe teaches courses on European Union institutions and policies, political communication, and European integration. Her teaching directly connects with her research expertise in European politics and governance, providing students with cutting-edge insights into contemporary political challenges.

• British Politics
• Scottish Nationalism
• Devolution and Constitutional Politics
• +3 more

Dr Coree Brown Swan is a Lecturer in Politics at the University of Stirling and Director of the Scottish Political Archive. Her research focuses on UK constitutional dynamics, particularly Scottish independence and union politics, post-Brexit governance, and devolution. She previously held roles at Queen's University Belfast and the Edinburgh-based Centre on Constitutional Change, and holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. Her work explores intergovernmental relations, constitutional crises, and comparative nationalism. Recent projects include an ESRC-funded study on devolution at 25. She teaches Scottish/UK politics and qualitative methods, and regularly engages in parliamentary evidence and media commentary on constitutional issues. Key research themes include post-Brexit economic union challenges, Conservative Party strategies in Scotland/Wales, and narratives of Scottish nationalism. Over 28 scholarly outputs span constitutional law, crisis governance, and comparative multinational state analysis. Her advisory work includes contributions to UK/Scottish parliamentary inquiries and media analysis. Current focus areas include the UK Internal Market Act's implications for devolution and pandemic-era constitutional stress-testing.

Phil RamseyView profile

Lecturer

• Media Policy
• Public Service Media
• Political Economy of Communication
• +5 more

Dr. Phil Ramsey is a Lecturer in the School of Communication and Media at Ulster University , where he teaches political communication, public relations, and digital media. He earned his BA, MA, and PhD in media studies from Ulster University, focusing on government communication during the New Labour era. PhD: Media Studies (2011) MA: International Media Studies (2007) BA (Hons): Media Studies (2006) Ramsey’s research centers on media policy and public service media in the UK, particularly the BBC’s governance. He examines the political economy of media systems, public value frameworks, and devolution of broadcasting powers. His work also addresses cultural policy, media-democracy relationships, and critical public relations approaches. Recent publications analyze Northern Ireland’s media ecosystem, cross-border broadcasting challenges, and digital transformation of public service media. His research trends reflect intersections between UN Sustainable Development Goals (education, reduced inequalities) and media policy. Scientific awards include: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017) Grants : Lead on AHRC-funded project Broadcasting Policy in a Devolved UK (£79,596.73) Ramsey actively contributes to academic networks, including: Chair of MeCCSA Policy Network (2018-2021) Executive Committee Member, Cultural Policy Observatory Ireland British Academy Advisory Group Member

• Northern Ireland Politics
• Peace Processes
• Devolution in the UK
• +5 more

Professor Jonathan Tonge is a leading academic in the Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool, currently serving as the REF outputs coordinator. His research focuses on Northern Ireland politics, peace processes, devolution, and political parties and elections in the UK and Ireland. He has supervised numerous PhD students on these topics and led major projects like the Leverhulme Trust’s voting age study. Key Appointments: President of the British Politics Group (2016-present), former President of the Political Studies Association of the UK (2008-11), and Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster (2006-7). Grants: Recently secured funding from the British Academy and ESRC for studies on the Alliance Party and Northern Ireland elections (2023-2025). His publications span books and journal articles analyzing Northern Ireland’s political evolution, including works on the Alliance Party’s role in peace processes and voter behavior. Awards include the University of Liverpool Civic Contribution Award (2012) and the PSA Bernard Crick Prize (1997). He chairs committees, edits Parliamentary Affairs , and collaborates with institutions like Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Huddersfield. Scientific Awards: University of Liverpool Civic Contribution Award (2012) CiCea Best Research Publication (2012) PSAI Brian Farrell Prize (2010) PSA Bernard Crick Prize (1997)

• British Civilization
• Scottish Civilization
• British Political Studies
• +7 more

Nathalie Duclos is a Professor at the Department of English-Speaking World Studies (DEMA), University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, and a key figure in the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS). She has been a lecturer since 2004 and was promoted to Professor in 2017. She co-directs the CAS and leads research on British and Scottish political studies, particularly focusing on devolution, independence movements, and constitutional change. Her educational background includes the External English Aggregation (1998) and a Doctorate (2003) on the New Scottish Autonomy, followed by a Habilitation to Supervise Research (2015) on Contemporary Scotland as a distinct political entity. She has held numerous leadership roles, including elected advisor in DEMA, member and former President of the CSQ, and co-leader of the CAS research axis 'Crises and Reconfigurations' (2021–2026). Her research centers on British and Scottish political studies, with a focus on devolution, autonomy, and independence movements in Scotland and Wales. She explores the ideological and strategic dimensions of separatism, the impact of Brexit on UK constitutional dynamics, and the evolution of political parties in the British Isles. Her work combines historical analysis with contemporary political inquiry. Her recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in analyzing Scottish independence, devolution, and Brexit. The articles and chapters consistently address themes of national identity, political autonomy, and constitutional change, often comparing developments across the UK’s devolved nations. Her work appears in academic journals, edited volumes, and scientific blogs, demonstrating both scholarly rigor and public engagement. President of the French Society for Scottish Studies (SFEE) since 2023 Former Vice-President and Treasurer of SFEE HCERES expert since 2018 Former member of the editorial board of Miranda (2009–2021) Member of the editorial board of Caliban since 2014 Chair of the SAES/AFEA Book Prize Jury (2021–2022) Nathalie Duclos actively supervises PhD students in Scottish civilization, including research on Scottish and Welsh independence movements, 18th–19th century Scottish settlers in Tobago, and the Scottish National Party’s relations with Northern Europe. She co-directs the WISE Connections seminar (Wales-Ireland-Scotland-England) and has led collaborative research cycles with other French universities. She has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. She is affiliated with the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS), a research laboratory focused on Anglophone cultures, where she contributes to multiple research axes and seminars. Her work bridges academic research and public policy discourse, especially through her blog posts and participation in national and international academic networks.

Jonathan BradburyView profile

Professor

• Territorial Politics
• UK Devolution
• Constitutional Policy
• +4 more

Professor Jonathan Bradbury is a Personal Chair in Politics at Swansea University, within the School of Social Sciences' Politics, Philosophy and International Relations department. He holds leadership roles as Associate Dean (Research, Innovation & Impact) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and leads the University’s ESRC/AHRC Impact Acceleration Account. His research focuses on UK territorial politics, devolution, and governance, with notable works including his 2021 book on constitutional policy and devolution. Education: BA (1984) and PhD (1991) in History from the University of Bristol, followed by research and teaching roles at Royal Holloway, Warwick, and others before joining Swansea in 1992. Research Interests: Devolution dynamics and multi-level governance Constitutional policy evolution since 1997 Political representation in territorial systems Parties adapting to devolved contexts Recent Publications Trends: Focus on Brexit’s impact on devolution, regional economic strategies in Wales, and comparative analysis of multi-level parliamentary relations. Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and authored/edited books since 1996. Supervision & Engagement: Supervised 10 doctoral students (e.g., James Davenport on US state legislatures, Owen Williams on cultural heritage policy). Engages widely via parliamentary testimony, BBC broadcasts, and public lectures. Currently supervises PhDs exploring legislative relationships and territorial identity dynamics. Leadership Roles: Director of Research (2017-21), Deputy Director of Research Institute of Applied Social Sciences (2012-16), and University Lead in Wales ESRC Doctoral Training Centre (2011-16). Collaborates internationally, including with University Grenoble Alpes on resilience research.

Diana StirbuView profile

Professor

• Public Policy
• Governance
• Devolution
• +12 more

Diana Stirbu is Professor of Public Policy and Governance at the School of Social Sciences and Professions, London Metropolitan University. She leads research on Social Integration and Regeneration and co-convenes the PSA (Political Studies Association) Parliaments specialist group. She is a member of the Expert Panel supporting the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales and affiliated with the Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre. Her research interests include: Territorial politics and governance, with a focus on devolution and constitutional design Public engagement and participatory governance in local and parliamentary contexts Gender representation and institutional innovation in political institutions Parliamentary governance and strategic leadership Social integration, community resilience, and urban governance Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on public engagement, particularly within the Welsh Parliament (Senedd), and the effectiveness of parliamentary committees. She explores themes of co-production, value creation in municipal services, and institutional change in devolved governments. Her work bridges academic research and policy impact, emphasizing democratic legitimacy and inclusive governance. Scientific awards and recognitions include: British Federation for Women Graduates - Ellen Wynne Vanstone Scholarship (2008) Duncan Norman Scholarship (£60,000) for PhD studies (2005–2008) Diana Stirbu has led and co-led multiple research projects and secured significant grant funding, including from the Greater London Authority (GLA), National Housing Federation, and London Metropolitan University. She has served as an Academic Fellow at the Welsh Parliament (2020–2021), where she researched committee effectiveness. She has also acted as an Independent Trustee for the Centre for Public Scrutiny and provided expert advice to various parliamentary committees. Her advisory work supports public engagement and strategic governance in representative institutions. She leads the Connected Communities programme and the Social Integration and Regeneration Learning Network, focusing on inclusive recovery and community resilience in London. Her work often involves collaboration with external organizations such as Snook, NEF Consulting, and the Wales Governance Centre.

Samuel WarnerView profile

Research Fellow

• British Politics
• Public Policy
• Political Economy
• +3 more

Samuel Warner is a Research Fellow at the Department of Politics, University of Manchester, and a member of The Productivity Institute (TPI). His work focuses on British politics, public policy, and political economy, particularly exploring how institutional landscapes constrain regional development and productivity growth. He co-leads the TPI’s 'Institutions and Governance' theme and is part of the Nuffield Foundation-funded project on public expenditure planning, resulting in a forthcoming Oxford University Press book on Treasury governance. Education: PhD in Political Science (University of Birmingham, 2018), MA Political Science (Birmingham, 2014), BSc Politics with Law (Aston University, 2011). Previous roles include Associate Lecturer at the University of York (2019–20) and Teaching Fellow at the University of Birmingham (2017–19). Research interests center on fiscal credibility, institutional reform, and the intersections between political economy and governance. His recent publications analyze Labour’s governance approaches, spatial inequality in devolved systems, and Whitehall-Treasury dynamics. Collaborations include projects with the Institute for Government and contributions to parliamentary committees. Key grants: £324,488 Nuffield Foundation grant (2020–2023) for 'Public Expenditure Planning and Control in Complex Times.' Media engagements include analyses for The Conversation and parliamentary inquiry submissions. Sam’s monograph Who Governs Britain? examines the 1971 Industrial Relations Act. He contributes to interdisciplinary teams addressing UK governance challenges, emphasizing sustainable institutional frameworks aligned with UN SDGs on prosperity and equality.

• Political participation
• Party membership and electoral behaviour
• Democracy and political representation
• +3 more

Lynn Bennie is Reader in Politics at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Social Science, where she has taught since 1996. Previously she lectured at the University of Paisley and holds a BA and PhD in Politics from the University of Strathclyde. Education BA in Politics – University of Strathclyde PhD in Politics – University of Strathclyde Research Interests Her research focuses on political participation , party membership and electoral behaviour , democracy and political representation , party adaptation and change , multi-level politics , and social movements, protest and green politics . These themes are investigated through the lens of British and Scottish politics, with particular attention to environmental and nationalist movements. Publications Profile Bennie’s recent publications address surges in party membership within the SNP and Scottish Greens after the 2014 independence referendum, the evolving role of smaller and insurgent parties such as Reform UK and the Greens, and Labour’s adaptation to multilevel governance. Her work is characterised by mixed-methods analysis of electoral data, party documents and membership surveys. Funding & Grants ESRC project Recruited by Referendum: Party Membership Energised (2016–2017) Royal Society of Edinburgh grant Defenders of Local Democracy (2023–2024) Teaching & Supervision She co-convenes the first-year module Democracy and Governance , contributes to Ideas and Ideologies and the interdisciplinary Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunity , and convenes the honours course Political Parties in Britain . She welcomes PhD proposals on elections, political participation, green politics and related topics.

• Constitutional Law
• Devolution
• Judicial Functions
• +3 more

Dr Gregory Davies is a Lecturer in the School of Law and Social Justice at the University of Liverpool since September 2021. Previously, he served as a Research Associate at Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre, focusing on UK devolution and Brexit implications. His research integrates empirical and theoretical approaches to UK constitutional law, emphasizing devolution (especially Wales), judicial political functions within territorial governance, prisoners' rights, and materialist legal analysis. Research focuses include a critical theoretical analysis of the senior judiciary's post-devolution role and an empirical study on Welsh-speaking prisoners' language rights with Dr Robert Jones (Cardiff University). His work bridges constitutional theory with socio-political realities, addressing tensions between devolved autonomy and UK-wide legal frameworks. Publications (2022–2024) explore devolution dynamics, prisoner voting rights, Welsh Labour government post-Brexit challenges, and intergovernmental agreements. Teaching includes modules on Foundations of Law and Social Justice, Public Law, and Law in Action. No scientific awards explicitly mentioned. Advising/grants: No doctoral students or grant details provided. Active in collaborative research projects with Cardiff University colleagues.

Lisa WhittenView profile

Research Fellow

• Brexit and Post-Brexit Governance
• Constitutional Law in Northern Ireland
• EU Law and Regulatory Divergence
• +3 more

Lisa Whitten is a Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast's School of Law, specializing in constitutional law, Brexit impacts, and post-Brexit governance. She holds a PhD in Law from Queen's University Belfast (2021), supervised by Professors Anthony and Phinnemore. Her research focuses on territorial cohesion in Northern Ireland post-Brexit, regulatory divergence, and UK-devolved government relations. Education: PhD in Law (2021), Queen's University Belfast; Previous degrees not explicitly listed but implied through academic career progression. Research interests include analyzing Brexit's constitutional implications for Northern Ireland, EU legal frameworks post-exit, and the evolving dynamics between UK central and devolved governments. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peaceful societies and institutional resilience. Key publications include policy reports for the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Department for the Economy, as well as peer-reviewed chapters on post-Brexit territorial fragmentation. Her recent work highlights regulatory challenges and cross-border cooperation in the British Isles. Awards: Basil Chubb Memorial Prize (2022), Brendan Halligan Essay Competition (2021), and PSAI Farrell Book Prize (2024). Advisory roles include providing oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee (2024) and House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee (2023). Organized workshops on cross-border environmental cooperation (2022). Active in media commentary, featured in the Irish Times Politics Podcast, BBC Radio Wales, and UTV Live discussions on Windsor Framework implications and Brexit legacies.