Welcome Núria Franco-Guillén

I’m delighted to welcome Dr Núria Franco-Guillén who has joined the National Conversation Project as Project Specialist, based with me in the Centre for Governance and Public Policy at Griffith . Dr Franco-Guillén holds a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. Her research interest focus on territorial and multilevel politics and diversity studies, and she has expertise in computer-assisted qualitative … Continue reading Welcome Núria Franco-Guillén

Closed: Research Assistant Job

I’m hiring a research assistant (or possibly two) to work on my ARC-funded research project, Sparking a National Conversation. The research assistant might contribute in a number of different ways to the project, but the right person might have one, two or all of these skill sets: e-social science or big data skills qualitative and interpretive skills experience with research in indigenous Australian politics an … Continue reading Closed: Research Assistant Job

Brexit part 2: thresholds, representation, and ‘what next?’

The other day I wrote a post-Brexit reaction which focused on the rather specialised question of how deliberative democrats ought to respond to politics in a ‘post-fact’ society. In that piece I raised but didn’t specifically respond to claims about parliamentary action and bare majorities for issues of such significance. Here’s that response. First, the issue of whether 50%+1 was the right threshold, or whether … Continue reading Brexit part 2: thresholds, representation, and ‘what next?’

Brexit, deliberative democracy, and the unforced force of the better argument

It’s more than a week after the vote in the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union, and it’s taken me this long to write something. I mourn for a Britain that can be so courageous and welcoming, but has now legitimised blaming ‘the other’ to deflect blame at home. I am concerned for my many European friends in Britain, some of whom now … Continue reading Brexit, deliberative democracy, and the unforced force of the better argument

2017 deliberative democracy summer school announced

The 2017 edition of the University of Canberra’s excellent deliberative summer schools has just been announced. These are great – two days, 30-or-so participants from big names to just-starting PhD students, focusing on cutting edge themes in deliberative theory and practice, with lovely hosts and great surrounds. The 2015 event was excellent and I’m sure this won’t disappoint, so register now! Contact details are on the poster … Continue reading 2017 deliberative democracy summer school announced

Appearing in a seminar room near you…

I’ve been remiss in posting news about travel, seminars etc – actually, I’ve been remiss about posting anything at all, and plead the usual feeble excuses. But the northern Spring is the season for conferences and workshops in Europe, and this year I’ll be concentrating on two engagements in the first half of the year, with possibly one other set in the second half. The first is the … Continue reading Appearing in a seminar room near you…