Mile End Institute to collaborate with the British Election Study

Over the last 60 years, the British Election Study (BES) has transformed the study of electoral behaviour, changing the way that academics, politicians and voters think about political attitudes and behaviour across the UK. Since the first study was conducted by David Butler and Donald Stokes in 1964, the BES has reported after every general election, helping researchers to understand changing patterns of party support and election outcomes. 

After a new team, led by Royal Holloway, was awarded leadership of the British Election Study, we are delighted to announce that the Mile End Institute in the School of Society and Environment will be supporting the BES. In collaboration with the Electoral Commission, Queen Mary researchers will develop an integrated survey of candidates running in the next general election. 

Professor Maria Sobolewska, BES Co-Investigator at the University of Manchester, said:

 

“The British Election Study has always been about representation, understanding how different communities across Britain engage with democracy.  This new award lets us go further: to study the candidates who stand before them, enabling the BES to capture a fuller picture of the electoral process, both voters and those who seek to represent them.”

 

Dr Sofia Collignon, Director of the Mile End Institute, QMUL, said:

 

“I have run candidate studies for more than ten years. They are one of the best ways to understand who represents us, including candidates’ motivations, experiences and backgrounds. Bringing the Candidate Study into the BES creates a unique opportunity to compare the behaviour and experiences of political elites with those of voters, giving us a fuller picture of representation and electoral politics. It also safeguards the future of these important studies.”

 

You can find out more about the British Election Study and the new team's plans for its future on Royal Holloway's website.