In a pioneering initiative, academic experts from UWE Bristol, Ghent University, University of Bristol, and Swansea University have come together to lead a groundbreaking research project spanning England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Dr Thom Oliver, Professor Colin Copus, Dr David Sweeting, and Dr Bettina Petersohn are spearheading an ambitious academic survey aimed at shedding light on the pivotal role of councillors in shaping local governance.
The International Context
This collaborative effort extends beyond the borders of the United Kingdom, forming part of a larger research network that has been conducting surveys with local political actors for over two decades. The project has traversed Europe, reaching countries such as Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Latvia, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Turkey, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Croatia, Iceland, Ireland, Romania, Lithuania, Spain, France, Portugal, and Bosnia. The wealth of comparative data generated by this network has deepened our understanding of local politics across diverse contexts.
Evolution of the Study
The study is an evolutionary step building upon years of research, with a specific focus on local political actors. Previous surveys by this group since the 1990s delved into the realm of municipal executive officers, local political leaders, and councillors. This time, the gaze is once again set upon councillors across the whole of Europe with our particular focus the United Kingdom, promising insights into the nuanced dynamics of local governance in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Collaborative Endeavours for Widespread Impact
Working in tandem with researcher Jon Lawson of Open Council Data, the academic team has meticulously curated a database containing just under 20,000 email addresses of councillors across the four nations. This marks the first occasion the survey has been extended across all UK nations, reflecting the team’s commitment to comprehensiveness and inclusivity.
Encouraging Councillors to Make Their Voices Heard
Councillors across the UK will receive a personalised email to their council email address, inviting them to contribute to this landmark study. The team is strongly encouraging councillors to seize this opportunity and make their voices heard. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete, and can be completed over multiple sittings, by returning to the original invitation. The success of this survey hinges on the active participation of councillors, whose insights will be instrumental in shaping a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, triumphs, and evolving roles within local governance.
Why Now?
As we launch into this unprecedented survey across the United Kingdom, the timing is crucial. The complexities of modern governance require a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at the local level. By participating in this survey, councillors have a unique opportunity to contribute to a body of knowledge that will not only benefit academic research but also inform policy decisions and foster a stronger, more responsive local governance structure.
Dr Thom Oliver a Senior Lecturer in Politics in the School of Social Sciences added “Ultimately the launch of this academic survey is more than a research endeavour; it is an invitation for councillors to become active participants in shaping the narrative of local governance as we seek to unveil the voices and experiences that form the bedrock of our vibrant communities.”
Dr Bettina Petersohn, Senior Lecturer in Politics at Swansea University expressed her excitement about the project. “Wales often ends up underrepresented in surveys, and this project offers a unique opportunity to include voices from local councillors in Wales, their experiences in shaping policies and representing their communities within the context of devolved government.”
Professor Colin Copus, Emeritus Professor of local politics at De Montfort University, and Visiting Professor at Ghent University explained “England has a diverse and exciting local government landscape with different councils representing and governing different localities. In the international survey we want to find out more about the life and experiences of our councillors, serving on those various councils, and make sure the public, the media and the centre understand what it really means to be a councillor.”
Dr David Sweeting, Senior Lecturer in Urban Studies at the University of Bristol added “we have much to learn from comparing the UK with other countries. Many challenges facing councillors across Europe are similar, some are different, and we look forward to learning more about the challenges, roles, and beliefs of UK councillors by comparing them with those elsewhere.”