![Stephen Thornton](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7040?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Stephen Thornton
Reader in Politics
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I've been at Cardiff University since 1996 when I started my Masters degree, then stuck around. My interests, which inform both my research and teaching, focus on less familar aspects of twentieth century British political history. For example, current projects include an exploration of the constitutionally murky position of deputy to the British prime minister and a study of 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. My work in this area focuses on exploring the ways in which students have adapted their information behaviours to cope with technological change. Related to this interest, I'm involved with the PSA Teaching and Learning Network, and presented a webinar on 'Information Literacy in a Changed Learning Environment' as part of the joint PSA/BISA series established as a response to the challenge to tertiary education posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow 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., article number: gsab038. (10.1093/pa/gsab038)
2022
- 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 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)
- 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)
2021
- 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. 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
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 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/
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Why Theresa May should appoint a deputy prime minister. The Conversation
- 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/
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. 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. 2015. Gothic glory and pop-up parliaments: could past visions help rescue the crumbling Palace of Westminster?. The Conversation 2015(29 Jun)
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. 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. 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. 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
- 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. 27. London: Tauris Academic Studies.
- 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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. 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. 2006. Information literacy and the teaching of politics. LATISS - Learning and Teaching in the Social Sciences 3(1), pp. 29-45.
2005
- 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. 2005. Pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. Developments in British Public Policy. London: Sage, pp. 161-179.
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
- 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)
- 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., article number: 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 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)
- 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 Kirkup, J. 2020. Boris Johnson is in intensive care, so who is in charge in the UK?. The Conversation
- 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)
- 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 Sharr, A. 2017. John Betjeman, policy entrepreneur. Environmental Law and Management 29(4), pp. 158-168.
- Thornton, S. and Kirkup, J. 2017. Why Theresa May should appoint a deputy prime minister. The Conversation
- 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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)
Book sections
- 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. 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. 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.
- 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. 2005. Pensions policy. In: Dorey, P. ed. Developments in British Public Policy. London: Sage, pp. 161-179.
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. 27. London: Tauris Academic Studies.
Conferences
- Thornton, S. L. and Sharr, A. 2012. The white heat of conservation. Presented at: 12th International Docomomo Conference, Espoo, Finland, 7-10 August 2012.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Websites
- 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 2016. Lessons from New Delhi. [Online]. Sheffield: Crick Centre, Sheffield University. Available at: http://www.crickcentre.org/blog/lessons-from-new-delhi/
- 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. 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. 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. 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. 2009. Richard Crossman and the welfare state: pioneer of welfare provision and Labour politics in Post-War Britain. International Library of Political Studies Vol. 27. London: Tauris Academic Studies.
- 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)
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 also convene There Is No Alternative? Britain Under Thatcher (Masters-level), a module that explores the policies, politics and legacy associated with Margaret Thatcher and her governments. I am also involved with the teaching of Sex, Drugs and Public Policy (3rd yr), and Parliamentary Studies (a module taught in collaboration with the Houses of Parliament).
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)
Committees and reviewing
Editorial Board: Teaching and Learning: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences; Undergraduate Journal of Politics and International Relations
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
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