I study elites and policy making both at the apex of government, in the executive triangle of ministers, political advisers and senior civil servants, as well as in parliaments and in specific sectors such as the environment. My research covers a variety of themes, from elite careers to policy making processes and the machinery of government, to ethical standards, transparency and accountability. It crosses the boundaries of comparative politics, public policy and administration, it is multi-method and for its most part internationally comparative. Here are my active research lines

Executive Triangle

I study executive politicians, top civil servants, and ministerial advisers (‘the executive triangle’) from an internationally comparative perspective. 

I currently represent the UK in the Management Committee of the EU Cost-Action Project CA22150 – Comparative Research on the Executive Triangle in Europe (CoREx) and also lead Working Group 4 on Accountability and Transparency in Executive Triangle in Europe. Action CA22150 – COST.

I am also partner to the international Scientific Research Network: The Executive Triangle: politicians, ministerial advisers, and senior civil servants, which is led by the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute and funded by the Research Organisation Flanders (FWO) FWO Scientific Research Network — Public Governance Institute

Political advisers 

I study political advisers, also known as special advisers, political staffers, or ministerial advisers. My research centres on how they influence politics and policy, as well as on issues of transparency, accountability and integrity (scandals and misconduct). I am currently authoring a monograph provisionally titled ‘Political Advisers in Modern Democracies: Dark Masters?’ to be published by Edward-Elgar.