Andy is a political scientist based at the University of Leeds with extensive experience of research-to-policy engagement. He is Cross-Programme Lead for the University Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), a UK-wide network of 120 universities supporting and facilitating researchers, policy actors, and professional services staff to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking. In 2025, UPEN received £6 million from leading UK national funders (2025-28) to establish a sustainable membership organisation that better connects policymakers with researchers. Andy is part of the core UPEN team overseeing the delivery of this investment.

Andy collaborates with a wide range of government and non-government stakeholders across the UK and internationally. He regularly advises UK and devolved governments on youth democratic education and engagement policymaking and is currently supporting the lowering of the voting age to 16. Andy’s expertise democratic and community engagement and participation in public policy is widely recognised, and he has sat on several influential national and local policy commissions.

He contributes regularly to BBC local and national media, and national and international online, print and broadcast media, and served as an elected trustee (2019-25) of the UK Political Studies Association.

Together with Dr Ben Wellings (Monash University), Andy co-led a British Academy funded project exploring the Anglosphere in the wake of Brexit. He is currently working with colleagues at the Australian National University and other institutions to support the Australian Government’s Strengthening Australian Democracy programme.

His fellowship will draw on his extensive experience to explore common challenges and opportunities and build mutual learning and understanding of best practice through the leveraging of an international partnership between ANZSOG and UPEN.