Profile
Dr Nick Kirsop-Taylor
Lecturer (Cornwall)
I am an early career Lecturer (Education and Scholarship) in the Politics department of the University of Exeter (Cornwall). From March till July 2020 I am seconded on the ‘Policy@Exeter’ programme. In this role I am supporting a University-wide effort at consolidating our policy-impacting research, facilitating our institutional focus on policy-relevant research, and enhancing our brand as a policy-facing institution.
I have a problem-orientated research agenda that seeks to contribute towards addressing critical global environmental challenges through the conceptual lenses of the state, governance, public policy and administration.
I convene undergraduate modules in environmental politics and public administration, with a special focus on student employability.
I am an active member of the international environmental politics academic community, and am the 2019-2021 Secretary of Political Studies Association's Early Career Network.
Research group links
- College of Social Sciences and International Studies
- Department of Politics
- Centre for Rural Policy Research
Research interests
I have a problem-orientated and interdisciplinary research agenda that builds upon and reflects my professional experiences and academic interests. This agenda is currently engaged across three broad themes: 1) the changing nature of environmental governance, policy, and the state; 2) public administration-orientated research into environment-facing bureaucrats and public agencies; and 3) the contemporary environmental voluntary sector: its role, governance contributions, and changing dyanmics. I have previously secured research funding from the EPSRC and through an ESRC Centre, and have near future research projects (in creation) targetting EPSRC and GCRF funding.
External impact and engagement
My current research agenda works cloeley with, and impacts upon, UK environmntal public agencies; and with the Welsh national natural resource agency (Natural Resources Wales) in particular. I am have previously delivered research in partnership with the UK National Flood Forum. I have current research proposals in collaboration with international partners in the puiblic and voluntary sectors.in creation and under review.
Modules taught
- POC2117 - The Politics of Climate Change
- POC2118 - Land, Power and Politics: a Critical Problem-Based Approach
- POC3094 - Global Policy Challenges
- POC3119 - The Modern Civil Service: Working in Government
Biography
Prior to becoming an academic I worked in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the British Government (2004-2010) and then in multiple policy-facing environmental voluntary roles in the third sector (2011-2014). These professional experiences have contributed towards an academic identity that is intensely problem-orienteted, with a keen focus on working partnerships with external partners to deliver research with rigour, impact and value.