Social JusticeWidening ParticipationEvaluation of education practice and programmesProfessional identity and practice of those working within widening participationHigher Education policy and regulationCo-production and collaboration in evaluation and research within education
I research governance and citizenship, with a focus on three main areas:
1) Innovative responses to globalisation (2004-present). This research has been funded by grants from the ESRC, the Nuffield Foundation, and the Local Government Alliance for International Development. The focus has been on global citizenship, ethical consumption, and interurban partnerships. See especially my co-authored book, Globalising Responsibility (2011, Wiley-Blackwell).
2) The challenges presented to representative democracy by the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the rise of populism, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic (2013-present). This research has been funded by grants from the ESRC, the British Academy, and the Leverhulme Trust. The focus has been on the relations between national and local government, and between politicians and citizens. See especially my co-authored book, The Good Politician (2018, Cambridge University Press).
