Matt Qvortrup is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Coventry University. Editor-in-Chief of the Q1 journal European Political Science Review, and he is editor of the DeGruyter Series, Democracy in Times of Upheaval. An expert in referendums, European politics and comparative government, recently, Professor Qvortrup has worked with brain-scientists to understand the neuro science of political action.  Professor Qvortrup was awarded the PSA Prize in 2013 for his research on political institutions and policy outputs. His book Angela Merkel: Europe's Most Influential Leader was translated into Russian, Chinese and Korean. During 2015 Matt was a Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. He has previously worked as member of President Obama’s Special Envoy Team in Africa (2009-2010). Before his career as an academic Dr Qvortrup served as Head of the Gun Crime Section in the British Home Office (2002-2004) and before that as an advisor to the Home Secretary (Minister for the Interior)

Professor Qvortrup earned his doctorate in Politics at Brasenose College, University of Oxford in 2000. Also a qualified lawyer, he holds a Diploma from the College of Law, London.

A frequent commentator for the BBC, Professor Qvortrup is also a regular contributor to Philosophy Now.

Area of Expertise:

Political Institutions, Comparative Politics, Referendums, European Politics, Democracy.

Referendums; Europe; European Politics; Constitutions; Democracy; Comparative Politics

“The state is a partnership of families living together and its object is a full and independent life”. This is how Aristotle (386-322 BC) summed up the role of politics. It is also how I see the world. Politics, like medicine and engineering, is not just neutral reflection (though that is important too) but a practical discipline devoted to making our dreams of a better world come true. For political scientists to do this, they must rely insights from disciplines ranging from historiography, philosophy and law to economics and statistics.