Dr. Ben Williams
School of Arts and Media
Current positions
Lecturer in Politics and Political Theory
Biography
Ben completed his PhD at the University of Liverpool between 2009 and 2013 and has written for a range of books, magazines, blogs and journals covering British politics and political history. He has taught at Salford University since 2013 and specialises in post-war British political history and international politics.
Areas of research
British Politics, Ideology, Political theory, International politics and international relations
- Britain & the World
- International Politics 1
- International Politics 2
- British Political History since 1945
- US Foreign Policy
Responsibilities
- PCH Admissions tutor
My main academic focus is on post-war British politics, and in particular the key ideologies and theories that shape policy-making. My PhD research focused on the evolution and development of Conservative social policy after the party lost office in 1997, and how social policy in particular changed and evolved over the next two decades, incorporating thirteen years of opposition and five years of coalition government. Specific focus was given to core policy developments such as free schools, The Big Society and NHS restructuring.
This academic background has enhanced my teaching specialisms which include the policy agendas of UK political parties and their ideological traditions. I have also taken such theoretical information and applied it to the teaching and study of international politics, specifically how various political ideologies and traditions have shaped the global political scene and international relations also.
Qualifications
- B.A (Hons.) in Modern History and Politics, University of Liverpool (1995)
- PGCE in Higher/Further Education, University of Bolton (2000)
- MA, Politics and Irish Studies, University of Liverpool (2009)
- PhD, 'Warm Words or real change?: Conservative social policy since 1997', University of Liverpool (2013)
Memberships
- Member of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
- Senior examiner at Politics A-Level
- Member of the Political Studies Association (PSA)