Professor Claire Dunlop (she / they)

I am a Professor of Politics and Public Policy. I am an internationally recognized expert in policy design, regulatory governance, evaluation, and the politics of scientific advice. I use mixed-methods to investigate complex policy conflicts (mainly in the UK, EU, and USA), in areas as diverse as agricultural and environmental technologies to the regulation of LGBTQ+ lives. The ultimate goal of my work is to provide the evaluative tools and insights necessary for policymakers, advisors, and citizens to unblock regulatory bottlenecks and develop effective, socially just public policies. My research is regularly used by policymakers and I have directly advised a range of national governments, international organizations and policy stakeholders.

I have authored over 100 academic publications (a mix of books, articles and chapters); written reports for policy-makers including the World Bank, European Commission, OECD and HSE; regularly win major research funding from bodies including the ESRC, British Academy and ERC; and supervised a range of PhD students through to completion. I am happy to hear from prospective PhD students and post-doctoral candidates who want to analyse governance challenges using policy process theories, public administration concepts, queer theory or science and technology studies approaches. Please send me a 500 word outline of your PhD research proposal and copy of your CV if you would like to make an inquiry.

I was a panel member for Politics and International Studies in REF2021 and serve again for REF2029.

I have been an LGBTQ+ advocate since the early 1990s and I am a proud member of the University of Exeter’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network. Since 2023, I have served as a Speak Out Guardian. My office is room 205 in the Amory Building (Streatham) and I am on campus daily. If you require support or assistance, please feel free to email me in confidence.