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Dr Stephanie Luke
(she/her)
Teams and roles for Stephanie Luke
Lecturer in Politics
Overview
I am a Lecturer in Politics at Cardiff University
I am interested in how political parties adapt to different challenges, whether it be new parties, new technology or new issues. My work focuses on European and Australian political parties across the political spectrum. My current research focuses on political parties and their campaigning methods, including how legislation affects their ability to campaign.
Prior to joining Cardiff, I was a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield and a Researcher at UK in a Changing Europe.
Publication
2026
- Luke, S. 2026. UK political parties and the availability of membership rights. Frontiers in Political Science 8 1857633. (10.3389/fpos.2026.1857633)
- Dommett, K. , Luke, S. and Gordon, H. 2026. Making elections more transparent? Lessons from the implementation of digital imprints at the 2024 UK General Election. Policy Studies 47 (3), pp.439-462. (10.1080/01442872.2025.2482869)
2025
- Pattie, C. , Luke, S. and Temple, L. 2025. Mobilizing the countryside: rurality, turnout and postal voting. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties (10.1080/17457289.2025.2513299)
- Luke, S. et al. 2025. How does rurality affect campaigning?. Electoral Studies 95 102932. (10.1016/j.electstud.2025.102932)
2024
- Luke, S. 2024. What does it mean to be pro-European? The case of the European centre-left and centre-right in Austria, Germany and the UK. Party Politics 30 (6), pp.985-996. (10.1177/13540688231198794)
- Luke, S. et al. 2024. Editorial: Data-driven campaigning in a comparative context—toward a 4th era of political communication?. Media and Communication 12 , pp.1-8. (10.17645/mac.9227)
2022
Articles
- Luke, S. 2026. UK political parties and the availability of membership rights. Frontiers in Political Science 8 1857633. (10.3389/fpos.2026.1857633)
- Dommett, K. , Luke, S. and Gordon, H. 2026. Making elections more transparent? Lessons from the implementation of digital imprints at the 2024 UK General Election. Policy Studies 47 (3), pp.439-462. (10.1080/01442872.2025.2482869)
- Pattie, C. , Luke, S. and Temple, L. 2025. Mobilizing the countryside: rurality, turnout and postal voting. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties (10.1080/17457289.2025.2513299)
- Luke, S. et al. 2025. How does rurality affect campaigning?. Electoral Studies 95 102932. (10.1016/j.electstud.2025.102932)
- Luke, S. 2024. What does it mean to be pro-European? The case of the European centre-left and centre-right in Austria, Germany and the UK. Party Politics 30 (6), pp.985-996. (10.1177/13540688231198794)
- Luke, S. et al. 2024. Editorial: Data-driven campaigning in a comparative context—toward a 4th era of political communication?. Media and Communication 12 , pp.1-8. (10.17645/mac.9227)
Thesis
Research
I am interested in how political parties adapt to different challenges, whether it be new parties, new technology or new issues.
My current research explore the following areas:
- Political Parties and Election Campaigning
- Intra-Party Democracy - Reform UK, UKIP and the Green Party
- Data Protection and Political Parties
- Far-Right Party influence
Teaching
Introduction to European Integration (1st Year)
Introduction to Government (1st Year)
British Politics Since 1945 (2nd Year)
Governing Modern Britain (2nd Year)
Ideas and Ideology in British Politics (2nd Year)
Themes and Debates in Contemporary Comparative Politics (3rd Year)
Biography
Prior to joining Cardiff (in October 2024), I was a Research Associate (May 2023-July 2024) and Teacher (Feb 2024-July 2024) at the University of Sheffield and a Researcher at UK in a Changing Europe (Jan 2024-Sep 2024). Before that I was a teacher at Durham University (Sep 2022-July 2024).
I obtained my PhD from the University of York in December 2022 where I analysed the influence of far right parties on mainstream party postions on European integration, with a specific focus on Austria, Germany and the UK. I have BA in Politics and History, and an MA in International Relations from Newcastle University.
Honours and awards
PhD in Politics, 'How do Far-Right Parties Influence Chang in Mainstream Political Parties' Positions on the Question of Europe? An Analysis of United Kingdom Independence Party, Alternative für Deutschland and Freiheitliche Partei Ósterreichs'. Supervised by Professor Sofia Vasilopoulou and Professor Neil Carter, University of York, 2022.
MA in International Relations, Newcastle University, 2018
BA in History and Politics, Newcastle University, 2017
Professional memberships
Fellow of the Higher Education Authority
Political Studies Association Early Career Network 2023-2025
Academic positions
Researcher, UK in a Changing Europe - 2024
Teacher, University of Sheffield - 2024
Research Associate, University of Sheffield - 2023-2024
Seminar and Lecturer Tutor, Durham University, 2022-2024
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of York, 2019-2022
Speaking engagements
The big May elections preview - PoliticsHome The Rundown Podcast
The rightward shift in European politics, and wider implications - Democracy Forum
When Attack Strategies Backfire - Campaign Lab
Panel on European Parliament Elections - What's next? UKICE Lunch Hour
EU Election Special European Movement UK
How we win in rural Scotland? Believe in Scotland's Independence Congress
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Political parties
- European Integration
- Election Campaign Methods
- Political behaviour