Parties, Voters and Elections Research Group

The Parties, Voters and Elections research group at the University of Birmingham is based in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, but welcomes colleagues and students from all departments, centres and institutes of the University who have research interests in political parties, party systems and elections. We work closely with networks of scholars from outside the University and organize some events as part of the REPRESENT network with colleagues at the University of Nottingham. 

In addition to a parties reading group which has been running for a number of years and which meets monthly during term time to discuss a recently published article or book, we organize a number of special events.

We are an inclusive group. Although the main focus of many members of the group is European politics, we welcome members with any geographical area of expertise and interest. Moreover, all scholars of political parties whether they use quantitative, qualitative or a mixture of methodological approaches are very welcome to join us.

Members of the Parties, Voters and Elections Research Group are working on a number of projects at the moment covering topics such as depoliticization, small parties, political campaigning, African party politics, populist parties, party membership, national political parties and the challenges of European integration, parties and the Eurozone crisis, opposition parties in non-democratic systems, the evolution of the British party system, and the dynamics of party politics in Central and Eastern Europe. 

Here is a flavour of some of the exciting research being conducted by members of the research group.

Dr David Bailey is a Senior Lecturer in Politics. David researches the political economy of left parties and protest movements and the European context.

Dr Karin Bottom is a Lecturer in British Politics and Public Policy. Karin researches directly elected mayors, the cartel party model, depoliticization, and the role and relevance of small parties.

Professor Nic Cheeseman is a Professor of Democracy and International Development. Nic researches many aspects of African politics, including party politics. Among his recent publications in How to Rig an Election (Yale University Press, 2018).

Professor David Cutts is a Professor of Political Science. Dave researches many aspects of voting behaviour and campaigning, particularly in UK elections. He is beginning work with Tim Haughton on a project examining election campaigning in Central and Eastern Europe.   

Dr Tim Haughton is a Reader (Senior Associate Professor) in European Politics. Tim co-authored a recent book The New Party Challenge with Kevin Deegan-Krause examining the patterns of party politics across Central and Eastern Europe. He is also embarking on a project with David Cutts on election campaigning in Central and Eastern Europe.

Julian Hoerner is a Lecturer in Politics at POLSIS. His research focuses on the interaction of electoral behaviour and political institutions in shaping representation, accountability, and the quality of democracy in Europe.

Dr Peter Kerr is a Senior Lecturer in Politics. Pete’s research encompassing many themes in British politics, including a focus on party politics.

Dr George Kyris is a Lecturer in International and European Politics. George has researched and published on the impact of the European Union on domestic affairs, including institutions, civil society and political parties. He has also researched the interplay between public opinion and party competition.

For further information about the Parties, Voters and Elections research group, please contact Dr Tim Haughton (t.j.haughton@bham.ac.uk).

Previous activities of the group include:

A joint seminar with Leiden and Temple Universities on the November 2021 elections in Bulgaria at which Maria Spirova (Leiden), Emilia Zankina (Temple University Rome) and Yuxiang Lin (PhD Student, Birmingham) spoke.   

A special seminar examining the results of the 2021 German elections with Isabelle Hertner (King’s College London) and Ed Turner (Aston University). 

Gabrielle Lynch (Warwick) presented on her new co-authored book, The Moral Economy of Elections in Africa, in February 2021  

As part of the REPRESENT network’s events Jonathan Hopkin spoke about his new book Anti-System Politics, the impact of the Great Recession and the rise of anti-system parties in Europe 

In November 2020 in a special seminar we invited Catherine De Vries and Sara Hobolt to discuss their new book on Challenger Parties in Europe 

On the Monday after the 2020 US Presidential elections we organized a special event with staff and students to discuss the results and their implications for the United States.   

In October 2020 we invited Vivien Schmidt to speak to staff and students reflect on the Eurozone crisis and its impact on politics in Europe 

Due to the pandemic our activities for much of 2020 were restricted, but we organized some reading group zoom meetings to discuss recent articles including one on Corbyn’s use of rallies. 

In March 2020 following Super Tuesday we organized a special seminar with staff and students to discuss the state of the US presidential race. 

In December 2019 on the morning after the UK general election we held a seminar with staff and students to dissect and explain the results. 

In November 2018, in conjunction with the International Development Department we organized a panel discussion, ‘State of Democracy: Reflections from recent elections’ at which Nicole Beardsworth (York) spoke on Zimbabwe, Marco Vieira spoke on Brazil and Tim Haughton spoke on Slovenia 

In October 2018 we invited Prof. Matthew Goodwin for a discussion on his new book on “National Populism”. Following a presentation of the book, several members of the research group (Daniele Albertazzi, David Cutts and Tim Haughton along with Kataryna Wolczuk) spoke on a panel discussion. [I cannot find the link to this event on the website. Please ask the web team to find it and add it to this story]  

Nic Cheeseman delivered his inaugural lecture, How to Rig an Election without getting caught, in October 2018 

In October 2018 POLSIS welcomed Prof. Daniel Ziblatt (Harvard) to discuss his new book, How Democracies Die? 

To coincide the Conservative Party conference being held in Birmingham in October 2018, members of the group were involved in a fringe session on how to engage young people in politics 

Actions and Reactions - On the dynamics of competition between populist challengers and mainstream parties in Europe today (22 and 23 January 2018)
A Workshop co-organised by the PSA’s Italian Politics Specialist Group, the Department of Political Science and international Studies of the University of Birmingham, and the Department of Politics and International Relations at Aston University, with presentations by several international experts.

Seminar on the Kenyan election with Nic Cheeseman (8 November) 

Seminar on the Japanese elections (25 October 2017)
Julie Gilson examined the Japanese elections in this special seminar. 

Party Change and Party Development in Europe and Beyond (31 May 2017)
Chair: Tim Haughton and Daniele Albertazzi (POLSIS). Speakers: Various from POLSIS. External Speaker: Professor Reinhard Heinisch (University of Salzburg)

Political Parties Expert Delivers Seminar on Radical Right-Wing Political Parties (25 January 2017)
Speaker: Professor Sarah de Lange

Organizing Representation: Political Parties, Participation, and Power (24 November 2016)
Speakers: Susan Scarrow (University of Houston). Discussant: Isabelle Hertner (Kings College London). Chair: Tim Haughton (POLSIS).

Experts Examine Political Parties in Europe (24 May 2016)
The POLSIS Parties, Voters and Elections Research Group held a seminar with Distinguished External Speakers to discuss political parties in contemporary Europe. In addition, to presentations from members of the group we were joined by Paul Webb (Sussex) who discussed 'The Activism of Party Members and Supporters in Britain', Catherine de Vries (Oxford) who presented ‘Challenger Parties: A Conceptual Note’ and Sofia Vasilopoulou (York) whose paper was entitled 'Fear, anger and enthusiasm about the EU: Effects of emotional reactions on public preferences towards European integration’.

Convenor:

• Dr Tim Haughton

Academic members:

PhD doctoral researchers:

More PhD doctoral researcher profiles across the School of Government and Society.