Charles Pattie

Professor Charles Pattie serves as Professor of Politics within the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield. He joined the department in 2016 but has maintained continuous affiliation with the University since 1994, progressing from Senior Lecturer to Reader (1999) and ultimately Professor (2000). Prior to this, he lectured in political geography at the University of Nottingham (1989-1994).

His academic foundation lies in geography, having earned both undergraduate and doctoral degrees in the discipline. This geographical perspective underpins his research approach to political phenomena.

Pattie's research program centers on three interconnected pillars: contextual effects in voting examining how social networks and local environments shape political decisions; election campaigning analyzing localized party strategies and voter targeting; and electoral systems investigating systemic biases and redistricting politics. His methodological emphasis on quantitative spatial analysis bridges geography and political science.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate persistent focus on UK electoral dynamics, featuring analyses of 2024 General Election bias, Conservative campaign evolution (1997-2024), and rural campaigning effects. These works reveal consistent attention to spatial dimensions of voting behavior and electoral system mechanics.

Professor Pattie actively supervises PhD candidates specializing in public opinion, political participation, and electoral behaviour. His teaching portfolio includes POL3100 (Explaining Politics) and POL6255 (Research Methods), where he emphasizes hands-on analytical skill development through practical data analysis and critical discussion.