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Matthew Flinders

Founding Director of the Sir Bernard Crick Centre for the Public Understanding of Politics, University of Sheffield

Professor Flinders studied Modern European Studies at Loughborough University before coming to the University of Sheffield to complete his doctorate in public policy and governance. He was appointed to a permanent Lectureship in 2000 (Senior Lecturer 2003, Reader 2005, Professor 2009). He was Sub-Dean for Graduate Affairs during 2004-2005 and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences 2005-2006. He was a Governor on the Board of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust between 2008-2011 and Deputy Head of the Department of Politics between 2008-2012. Professor Flinders is also on the Executive Committee of the Political Studies Association. In addition to his academic work, Professor Flinders is a writer and broadcaster and has made numerous contributions to national newspapers, including The Times and The Guardian, and in 2011 he wrote and presented a three-part series for BBC Radio 4 entitled ‘In Defence of Politics’.

His latest book, 'What Kind of Democracy is This?' is published by Policy Press, 2017.

Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board

Apr 25, 2024 06:12 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

To say that the Labour party is flying high in the polls is something of an understatement. But despite its consistent lead against the Tories, the opposition finds itself in a rather odd position: on the cusp of power but...

Liz Truss resigns as prime minister: the five causes of her downfall explained

Oct 21, 2022 06:24 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

As Liz Truss stepped away from the lectern outside No.10 Downing Street after resigning as leader of her party, it probably occurred to her that her time as prime minister will have been only as long as the leadership...

Coronavirus and the politics of crisis fatigue

Mar 26, 2020 16:02 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The new coronavirus pandemic is affecting our daily lives in many unexpected ways. We are particularly trying to understand why some people are not heeding official advice about social isolation. I believe this relates to...

How Boris Johnson's Conservatives swept to election victory in Labour heartlands

Dec 16, 2019 13:40 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Welcome to a new whole new political world. The UK general election of 2019 has delivered a seismic shift in the balance of the countrys politics, the consequences of which are very hard, if not impossible to predict. But...

Brexit impasse: where have all the political leaders gone?

Jan 27, 2019 14:41 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Adrift, rudderless, confused, chaotic. A mess. How else can anyone honestly describe the state of British politics? The UK is, if truth be known, currently a nation that resembles little more than a vast community of...

Parliament may not have what it takes to fix its crumbling house

Jan 30, 2018 12:36 pm UTC| Insights & Views Real Estate Economy

Back in 2015, a detailed analysis of the Palace of Westminster concluded that the risk of catastrophic failure is increasing … a major failing of the existing service infrastructure is inevitable. As the subsequent...

Economy

Japanese Yen Nears Seven-Month High as Oil Approaches $100

The Japanese yen held near its strongest level since February on Wednesday, pressuring the U.S. dollar as escalating Middle East tensions pushed oil prices toward $100 a barrel and investors prepared for major central bank...

US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Motorcycles as Trade War Escalates

The United States has announced sweeping import bans on Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and some dairy products, escalating a trade dispute between the longtime North American allies. The restrictions, announced...

Oil Prices Rally as Brent Nears $100 on U.S.-Iran Escalation

Oil prices extended their rally during Asian trading on Wednesday, with Brent crude approaching the key $100-per-barrel level as escalating U.S.-Iran tensions fueled concerns over Middle East oil supplies and shipping...

Asian Stocks Mixed as AI Chip Rally Meets Oil Surge

Asian stocks traded mixed on Wednesday as semiconductor shares extended gains on strong artificial intelligence demand, while rising oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions fueled concerns about inflation and higher...

Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally

Asian stocks traded mixed on Tuesday as strong gains in South Korean semiconductor shares boosted the regions technology sector, while rising oil prices, higher U.S. Treasury yields and expectations for tighter monetary...

Politics

Chris Hipkins Targets Cost-of-Living Relief in New Zealand Election

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says Labour was too slow to recognize the cost-of-living pressures facing households after the COVID-19 pandemic, as the party seeks to regain urban and middle-income voters...

Trump’s ‘New America’ Proposal Draws Backlash in New Mexico

President Donald Trumps proposal to rename New Mexico as New America has sparked criticism from residents and political leaders who say the move threatens to erase centuries of history and cultural identity. Trump, a...

US Judge Dismisses Imran Ahmed Deportation Lawsuit

A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by British anti-disinformation campaigner Imran Ahmed challenging the Trump administrations authority to detain and deport him, potentially clearing the way for...

Iran Strikes U.S.-Used Jordan Base as Gulf War Escalates

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at a military base in Jordan used by U.S. forces and said it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, marking a sharp escalation...

U.S. Envoy Warns Taiwan Conflict Could Devastate Global Economy

A military conflict across the Taiwan Strait could inflict greater damage on the global economy than World War Two, the top U.S. diplomat in Taipei warned on Wednesday, highlighting the importance of an upcoming U.S.-China...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Kioxia Rules Out SK Hynix Manufacturing Partnership

Kioxia Holdings CEO Hiroo Ota has ruled out closer manufacturing cooperation with South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix, pointing to antitrust concerns and complications involving Kioxias existing production partnership...

Qualcomm Stock Jumps on Amazon AI Chip Deal

Qualcomm Technologies (NASDAQ: QCOM) shares surged 9.5% after the chipmaker announced a multi-generational partnership with Amazon to develop custom silicon and high-speed optical connectivity technology for artificial...

Google Revamps EU Search Results to Meet DMA Rules

Alphabets Google has introduced major changes to its search results in Europe as it seeks to comply with European Union antitrust rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Google said Tuesday that the overhaul represents...

Australia Plans New Rules Giving Users Control Over Social Media Feeds

Australia has proposed new social media regulations that would give users greater control over the content appearing in their feeds, expanding the governments efforts to strengthen online safety and regulate major...

Anthropic Drops $6 Billion Decart AI Acquisition Talks

Anthropic has reportedly abandoned plans to acquire artificial intelligence startup Decart AI after exploring a potential transaction valued at roughly $6 billion, according to Bloomberg News. The maker of the Claude AI...