![Stephen Thornton](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7040?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Stephen Thornton
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Stephen Thornton
Reader in Politics
Overview
My interests, which inform both my research and teaching, focus on less familar aspects of twentieth century British political history. Current projects include an exploration of the constitutionally hazy position of deputy to the British prime minister and a study into the complex relationship between architecture and politics. I also teach an innovative module that uses biography to help explore features of post-war British political history.
I'm also involved in pedagogic research, with a particular focus on information literacy.
I hold Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society.
Publication
2026
- Atkinson, D. and Thornton, S. 2026. Information literacy in the postgraduate Politics and International Relations classroom. Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences
2024
- Sharr, A. and Thornton, S. 2024. The populist prince: Returning to Charles's Vision of Britain. Cultural Politics 20 (3), pp.373-395. (10.1215/17432197-11321239)
- Thornton, S. 2024. The brace of the Cabinet: the legacy of Clement Attlee as deputy prime minister. Contemporary British History 38 (3), pp.359-382. (10.1080/13619462.2024.2305459)
2023
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2023. From Rab to Raab: the construction of the office of first secretary of state. Parliamentary Affairs 76 (1), pp.186-210. gsab038. (10.1093/pa/gsab038)
2022
- Atkinson, D. and Thornton, S. 2022. The citation behaviours and the academic performance of first-year Political Science students. European Political Science 21 , pp.292-307. (10.1057/s41304-021-00333-x)
- Thornton, S. and Atkinson, D. B. 2022. Everywhere and nowhere: Information literacy in the political science classroom. PS: Political Science & Politics 55 (3), pp.597-604. (10.1017/S1049096522000397)
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2022. Liz Truss names Therese Coffey as her second-in-command – here’s how deputies have performed this key role for past PMs. The Conversation 2022 (7 Sept)
2021
- Thornton, S. 2021. Information in a changed information environment: an update. [Online].Political Studies Association (PSA). Available at: http://www.psa.ac.uk/specialist-groups/group-news/information-changed-learning-environment-update.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2021. As first Secretary of State, is Dominic Raab the second most senior politician in the UK?. [Online].London: London School of Economics. Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/as-first-secretary-of-state-is-dominic-raab-the-second-most-senior-politician-in-the-uk/.
2020
- Thornton, S. 2020. Access to information in a changed learning environment. [Online].BISA/PSA. Available at: https://www.bisa.ac.uk/articles/access-information-changed-learning-environment.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2020. Boris Johnson is in intensive care, so who is in charge in the UK?. The Conversation
2019
- Thornton, S. 2019. A longitudinal comparison of information literacy in students starting Politics degrees. Learning and Teaching 12 (2), pp.89-111. (10.3167/latiss.2019.120206)
2017
- Kirkup, J. and Thornton, S. L. 2017. 'Everyone needs a Willie': The elusive position of deputy to the British prime minister. British Politics 12 (4), pp.492-520. (10.1057/bp.2015.42)
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Was Damian Green really the Deputy Prime Minister?. [Online].LSE. Available at: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/62576-2/.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Why Theresa May should appoint a deputy prime minister. The Conversation
- Thornton, S. and Sharr, A. 2017. John Betjeman, policy entrepreneur. Environmental Law and Management 29 (4), pp.158-168.
- Thornton, S. L. 2017. "Even Big Ben has outlived its use": Cedric Price and the Pop-Up Parliament. [Online].Crick Centre, Sheffield University. Available at: http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/pop-up-parliament/.
2016
- Thornton, S. L. 2016. Lessons from New Delhi. [Online].Sheffield: Crick Centre, Sheffield University. Available at: http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/lessons-from-new-delhi/.
2015
- Thornton, S. L. 2015. Gothic glory and pop-up parliaments: could past visions help rescue the crumbling Palace of Westminster?. The Conversation 2015 (29 Jun)
- Thornton, S. L. 2015. Promoting Information Literacy and information research. In: Ishiyama, J. , Miller, W. J. and Simon, E. eds. Handbook on Teaching and Learning in Political Science and International Relations. Edward Elgar. , pp.121-131.
2013
- Sharr, A. and Thornton, S. L. 2013. Demolishing Whitehall: Leslie Martin, Harold Wilson and the architecture of White Heat. Ashgate Studies in Architecture Farnham: Ashgate.
2012
- Thornton, S. L. 2012. Issues and controversies associated with the use of new technologies. In: Gormley-Heenan, C. and Lightfoot, S. eds. Teaching Politics and International Relations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. , pp.91-104.
- Thornton, S. L. 2012. Trying to learn (politics) in a data-drenched society: can information literacy save us?. European Political Science 11 (2), pp.213-223. (10.1057/eps.2011.20)
- Thornton, S. L. and Sharr, A. 2012. The white heat of conservation. Presented at: 12th International Docomomo Conference Espoo, Finland 7-10 August 2012.
2011
- Thornton, S. L. 2011. We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works. In: Curtis, S. and Simon Rofe, J. eds. Does the medium matter? IT-assisted learning and teaching in international relations and politics. Why Social Science Matters Vol. 5.Birmingham, UK: Higher Education Academy Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, Politics (C-SAP). , pp.7-11.
2010
- Thornton, S. L. 2010. From "Scuba Diving" to "Jet Skiing"? Information Behavior, Political Science, and the Google Generation. Journal of Political Science Education 6 (4), pp.353-368. (10.1080/15512169.2010.518111)
2009
- Haerkoenen, S. and Thornton, S. L. 2009. Embedding information literacy education across five departments – a Subject Librarian’s perspective. Presented at: Invited paper plus workshop (led with Nigel Morgan) for the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Tampere, Finland 15 April 2009.
- Haerkoenen, S. and Thornton, S. L. 2009. Trial and error – student responses to different approaches of embedding information literacy education across five departments. Presented at: Librarians Information Literacy Annual Conference (LILAC) 2009 Cardiff, UK 30 March - 1 April 2009.
- Thornton, S. L. 2009. Lessons from America: teaching politics with the Google generation. Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences (ELiSS) 1 (3), pp.1-20.
- Thornton, S. L. 2009. Richard Crossman and the welfare state: pioneer of welfare provision and Labour politics in Post-War Britain. International Library of Political Studies Vol. 27London: Tauris Academic Studies.
- Thornton, S. L. and Haerkoenen, S. 2009. Attempting to bridge the barrier between academic study and research skills training: Early student responses to a fully integrated academic/skills-based method of assessment. Presented at: PSA Conference Manchester University, UK 8 April 2009.
2008
- Thornton, S. L. , Palmer, R. and Crowley, M. 2008. Government formation in the National Assembly for Wales. In: Brazier, A. and Kalitowski, S. eds. No overall control? The impact of a "hung parliament" on British politics?. London: Hansard Society. , pp.63-72.
2007
- Thornton, S. L. 2007. Pedagogy, Politics and Information Literacy. Politics 28 (1), pp.50-56. (10.1111/j.1467-9256.2007.00310.x)
2006
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. A case of confusion and incoherence: Social security under Wilson, 1964-1970. Contemporary British History 20 (3), pp.441-459. (10.1080/13619460500407160)
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. Information literacy and the teaching of politics. LATISS - Learning and Teaching in the Social Sciences 3 (1), pp.29-45.
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. Towards public-private partnership: Labour and pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. The Labour Governments 1964-1970. British Politics and Society London: Routledge. , pp.292-308.
2005
- Thornton, S. L. 2005. Pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. Developments in British Public Policy. London: Sage. , pp.161-179.
- Thornton, S. L. 2005. Richard Crossman, the civil service and the case of the disappearing pension. Public Policy and Administration 20 (2), pp.67-80. (10.1177/095207670502000205)
Articles
- Atkinson, D. and Thornton, S. 2026. Information literacy in the postgraduate Politics and International Relations classroom. Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences
- Atkinson, D. and Thornton, S. 2022. The citation behaviours and the academic performance of first-year Political Science students. European Political Science 21 , pp.292-307. (10.1057/s41304-021-00333-x)
- Kirkup, J. and Thornton, S. L. 2017. 'Everyone needs a Willie': The elusive position of deputy to the British prime minister. British Politics 12 (4), pp.492-520. (10.1057/bp.2015.42)
- Sharr, A. and Thornton, S. 2024. The populist prince: Returning to Charles's Vision of Britain. Cultural Politics 20 (3), pp.373-395. (10.1215/17432197-11321239)
- Thornton, S. 2019. A longitudinal comparison of information literacy in students starting Politics degrees. Learning and Teaching 12 (2), pp.89-111. (10.3167/latiss.2019.120206)
- Thornton, S. 2024. The brace of the Cabinet: the legacy of Clement Attlee as deputy prime minister. Contemporary British History 38 (3), pp.359-382. (10.1080/13619462.2024.2305459)
- Thornton, S. and Atkinson, D. B. 2022. Everywhere and nowhere: Information literacy in the political science classroom. PS: Political Science & Politics 55 (3), pp.597-604. (10.1017/S1049096522000397)
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2020. Boris Johnson is in intensive care, so who is in charge in the UK?. The Conversation
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2023. From Rab to Raab: the construction of the office of first secretary of state. Parliamentary Affairs 76 (1), pp.186-210. gsab038. (10.1093/pa/gsab038)
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2022. Liz Truss names Therese Coffey as her second-in-command – here’s how deputies have performed this key role for past PMs. The Conversation 2022 (7 Sept)
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Why Theresa May should appoint a deputy prime minister. The Conversation
- Thornton, S. and Sharr, A. 2017. John Betjeman, policy entrepreneur. Environmental Law and Management 29 (4), pp.158-168.
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. A case of confusion and incoherence: Social security under Wilson, 1964-1970. Contemporary British History 20 (3), pp.441-459. (10.1080/13619460500407160)
- Thornton, S. L. 2010. From "Scuba Diving" to "Jet Skiing"? Information Behavior, Political Science, and the Google Generation. Journal of Political Science Education 6 (4), pp.353-368. (10.1080/15512169.2010.518111)
- Thornton, S. L. 2015. Gothic glory and pop-up parliaments: could past visions help rescue the crumbling Palace of Westminster?. The Conversation 2015 (29 Jun)
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. Information literacy and the teaching of politics. LATISS - Learning and Teaching in the Social Sciences 3 (1), pp.29-45.
- Thornton, S. L. 2009. Lessons from America: teaching politics with the Google generation. Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences (ELiSS) 1 (3), pp.1-20.
- Thornton, S. L. 2007. Pedagogy, Politics and Information Literacy. Politics 28 (1), pp.50-56. (10.1111/j.1467-9256.2007.00310.x)
- Thornton, S. L. 2005. Richard Crossman, the civil service and the case of the disappearing pension. Public Policy and Administration 20 (2), pp.67-80. (10.1177/095207670502000205)
- Thornton, S. L. 2012. Trying to learn (politics) in a data-drenched society: can information literacy save us?. European Political Science 11 (2), pp.213-223. (10.1057/eps.2011.20)
Book sections
- Thornton, S. L. 2012. Issues and controversies associated with the use of new technologies. In: Gormley-Heenan, C. and Lightfoot, S. eds. Teaching Politics and International Relations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. , pp.91-104.
- Thornton, S. L. 2005. Pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. Developments in British Public Policy. London: Sage. , pp.161-179.
- Thornton, S. L. 2015. Promoting Information Literacy and information research. In: Ishiyama, J. , Miller, W. J. and Simon, E. eds. Handbook on Teaching and Learning in Political Science and International Relations. Edward Elgar. , pp.121-131.
- Thornton, S. L. 2006. Towards public-private partnership: Labour and pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. The Labour Governments 1964-1970. British Politics and Society London: Routledge. , pp.292-308.
- Thornton, S. L. 2011. We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works. In: Curtis, S. and Simon Rofe, J. eds. Does the medium matter? IT-assisted learning and teaching in international relations and politics. Why Social Science Matters Vol. 5.Birmingham, UK: Higher Education Academy Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, Politics (C-SAP). , pp.7-11.
- Thornton, S. L. , Palmer, R. and Crowley, M. 2008. Government formation in the National Assembly for Wales. In: Brazier, A. and Kalitowski, S. eds. No overall control? The impact of a "hung parliament" on British politics?. London: Hansard Society. , pp.63-72.
Books
- Sharr, A. and Thornton, S. L. 2013. Demolishing Whitehall: Leslie Martin, Harold Wilson and the architecture of White Heat. Ashgate Studies in Architecture Farnham: Ashgate.
- Thornton, S. L. 2009. Richard Crossman and the welfare state: pioneer of welfare provision and Labour politics in Post-War Britain. International Library of Political Studies Vol. 27London: Tauris Academic Studies.
Conferences
- Haerkoenen, S. and Thornton, S. L. 2009. Embedding information literacy education across five departments – a Subject Librarian’s perspective. Presented at: Invited paper plus workshop (led with Nigel Morgan) for the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Tampere, Finland 15 April 2009.
- Haerkoenen, S. and Thornton, S. L. 2009. Trial and error – student responses to different approaches of embedding information literacy education across five departments. Presented at: Librarians Information Literacy Annual Conference (LILAC) 2009 Cardiff, UK 30 March - 1 April 2009.
- Thornton, S. L. and Haerkoenen, S. 2009. Attempting to bridge the barrier between academic study and research skills training: Early student responses to a fully integrated academic/skills-based method of assessment. Presented at: PSA Conference Manchester University, UK 8 April 2009.
- Thornton, S. L. and Sharr, A. 2012. The white heat of conservation. Presented at: 12th International Docomomo Conference Espoo, Finland 7-10 August 2012.
Websites
- Thornton, S. 2020. Access to information in a changed learning environment. [Online].BISA/PSA. Available at: https://www.bisa.ac.uk/articles/access-information-changed-learning-environment.
- Thornton, S. 2021. Information in a changed information environment: an update. [Online].Political Studies Association (PSA). Available at: http://www.psa.ac.uk/specialist-groups/group-news/information-changed-learning-environment-update.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2021. As first Secretary of State, is Dominic Raab the second most senior politician in the UK?. [Online].London: London School of Economics. Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/as-first-secretary-of-state-is-dominic-raab-the-second-most-senior-politician-in-the-uk/.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Was Damian Green really the Deputy Prime Minister?. [Online].LSE. Available at: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/62576-2/.
- Thornton, S. L. 2017. "Even Big Ben has outlived its use": Cedric Price and the Pop-Up Parliament. [Online].Crick Centre, Sheffield University. Available at: http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/pop-up-parliament/.
- Thornton, S. L. 2016. Lessons from New Delhi. [Online].Sheffield: Crick Centre, Sheffield University. Available at: http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/lessons-from-new-delhi/.
Research
Current projects include:
- A study that explores links between public policy and architectural design (with Professor Adam Sharr, Newcastle University)
- An investigation into the role of information literacy in the Political Science classrom (with Dr Doug Atkinson, Brigham Young University)
- An exploration of the role played by the deputy to the British prime minister (with Dr Jonathan Kirkup, Cardiff University)
Teaching
I currently convene the module Personality and Power (3rd yr undergraduate), a course that uses biography to help uncover aspects of British political history from 1955 to 2015. I am also involved with the teaching of Sex, Drugs and Public Policy (3rd yr).
In addition, I supervise students at all levels engaged in the writing of their dissertation or thesis.
Biography
Education and qualifications
2003: PhD, (University of Wales, Cardiff)
1997: MScEcon in the European Policy Process (with distinction), (University of Wales, Cardiff)
1992: Postgraduate Certificate in Education, (Charlotte Mason College, University of Lancaster)
1991: BA Hons, (University of Nottingham)
Career overview
2020 to present: Reader in Politics
2012 – 2020: Senior Lecturer in Politics, initially in the School of European Studies, now the School of Law and Politics
2006 – 2012: Lecturer in Comparative Politics
Honours and awards
Commendation: RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding University Located Research for Demolishing Whitehall: Leslie Martin, Harold Wilson and the Architecture of White Heat (2014)
Professional memberships
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2023)
Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (since 2016)
Speaking engagements
Keynote: 'The Information Literacy Conference on the topic of ‘Light at the end of the tunnel? Twenty Years of Information Literacy in the Politics Classroom’, LILAC Conference, Cardiff, 14-16 April 2025.
‘Supporting Pedagogical Innovation and Scholarship’ at the Cardiff University Learning and Teaching Conference, 12-13 September 2024 (with Nicola Harris).
‘What Does a Good Politics/International Relations Degree Look Like?’, as part of the Pedagogy of Politics Seminar Series, University College London, 26 February 2024.
‘Information Literacy in the Politics classroom’, as part of the Pedagogy of Politics Seminar Series, University College London, 18 November 2022.
‘Cedric Price’s Pop-Up Parliament’ at the North American Conference on British Studies Sheraton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, 10-13 November 2022.
‘Then and Now, Now and Then: Re-reading Prince Charles’ A Vision of Britain’, Society of Architectural Historians, Annual International Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 27 April 27-1 May 2022 (with Adam Sharr).
Committees and reviewing
Editorial Board: Teaching and Learning: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences
Journal reviewer: Political Studies; Journal of Political Science Education; Teaching and Learning; PS: Political Science and Politics
Book reviewer: Oxford University Press; Macmillan/Red Box Press; Routledge; Bloomsbury
Supervisions
I would welcome enquires from prospective doctoral applicants in my fields of interest.
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- British history
- Comparative government and politics
- Information retrieval and web search