Department of Politics and International Relations
Professor of Politics at Royal Holloway, James has published extensively on issues relating to youth participation in democracy, including recent books on youth and elections in the UK, Europe and the United States (Springer 2019 and 2026).
James has worked extensively with civil society, civic authorities and international organisations to empower young people from traditionally marginalised groups through civic and political engagement, including UNICEF UK, and supporting the implementation of citizenship education in the National Curriculum in England.
James developed the concept of 'civic mentoring' through work with the Mayor of London's Peer Outreach Team, to amplify youth voice and improve the quality of public policy. His research with organisations ranging from Partnership for Young London to the United Nations (World Public Sector Report 2023) highlights practical steps for policy-makers to engage with young people. These insights are explored in depth in his new book, Turning youth voice into sustainable public policy: the promise of public policy (Bristol University Press 2025).
