Robert Mattes

Robert Mattes is a Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde since 2017, previously holding roles at the University of Cape Town, including Adjunct Professor (Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance) and Honorary Professor (2017-2021). He specializes in democratization, public opinion, legislatures, and African politics. His research employs survey methodologies and institutional analysis, co-founding key initiatives like Afrobarometer (35 African countries), the African Legislatures Project, and the South African National Election Study.

Education: PhD (University of Illinois, 1992), MA (University of Delaware, 1986), BA (Youngstown State University, 1984).

Research focuses on sustaining democracy in Africa via studies of voting behavior, legislative representation, and democratic governance. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to education and sustainable development. Awards include the Ronald F. Inglehart Honorary Lecture Award (2025) and election to the Academy of Science of South Africa (2014).

Current projects include the 'Sustainable Development and Citizenship in Africa' initiative and studies on African political parties. He supervises PhD students in voting behavior, elections, and democratization. Key collaborations involve Comparative National Elections Project and Comparative Study of Electoral Systems.

Labs/Teams: Afrobarometer (co-founder), African Legislatures Project (co-PI), South African National Election Study (PI). His work highlights themes like lived poverty trends, electoral integrity, and generational political shifts.