Staff Profile

Stephen joined the Department of Politics at Newcastle University in 2015 and is currently the Director of Research for the School of Geography, Politics, and Sociology. His main research interests are in the theory and practice of democracy, democratic innovation, environmental politics, public opinion, political communication, civil society and citizen participation, all viewed through the lens of deliberative democracy. His research is normative but applied, utilising mixed methods, locating his research on the critical intersection between normative political theory and empirical political science.

He is a member of the Tyndall Centre and a Fellow of the Centre of Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance and has been a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts since 2008. He is also a member of the Governance and Political Organisations research cluster at Newcastle University. Stephen has been a POST Academic Fellow at the UK Parliament and an Academic Fellow at the Scottish Parliament, working on how parliamentary committees can be linked with mini-publics such as Citizens' Assemblies and Citizens' Juries.

Professor Elstub is the Co-Editor of the journal Representation: Journal of Representative Democracy and Editor of the Citizens’ Assemblies and Mini-Publics De Gruyter book series. He is author of Towards a Deliberative and Associational Democracy (Edinburgh University Press 2008), editor of Democracy in Theory and Practice (Routledge 2012), and co-editor of the Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance (Edward Elgar 2019), Deliberative Systems in Theory and Practice (Routledge 2018) and Deliberative Democracy: Issues and Cases (Edinburgh University Press 2014). 

He has been involved in a number of research projects funded by a variety of organisations including: the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council, Edinburgh City Council, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, European Climate Foundation, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, the House of Commons, Involve, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, NESTA, Scottish Government Social Research and UK Research and Innovation. Stephen has also acted as an expert advisor to the North of Tyne Combined Authority; the European, UK, and Scottish Parliaments; and to the Scottish government.

Qualifications

PhD University of Sheffield

MA University of Leeds

BA University of Leeds

Research Interests

Democracy in theory and practice, particularly deliberative, associational, and participatory democracy. Specific focus on democratic innovation, mini-publics, citizens' assemblies, environmental politics, public opinion, political communication, televised election debates and civil society. 

POL3111 UK Parliamentary Studies

POL3112 Can Democracy be Saved?

• Articles

  • Elstub S, Carrick J, Farrell DM, Mockler P. The Scope of Climate Assemblies: Lessons from the Climate Assembly UK. Sustainability 2021, 13(20), 11272.
  • Elstub S, Thompson R, Escobar O, Hollinghurst J, Grimes D, Aitken M, McKeon A, Jones KH, Waud A, Sethi N. The Resilience of Pandemic Digital Deliberation: An Analysis of Online Synchronous Forums. Javnost - The Public 2021, 28(3), 237-255.
  • Thompson AGH, Escobar O, Roberts JJ, Elstub S, Pamphilis NM. The importance of context and the effect of information and deliberation on opinion change regarding environmental issues in citizens’ juries. Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9852.
  • Elstub S, Carrick J, Khoban Z. Democratic Innovation in the Scottish Parliament: An Evaluation of Committee Mini-Publics. Scottish Affairs 2021, 30(4), 493-521.
  • Drury SAM, Elstub S, Escobar O, Roberts JJ. Deliberative Quality and Expertise: Uses of Evidence in Citizens’ Juries on Wind Farms. Journal of Deliberative Democracy 2021, 17(2).
  • Roberts J, Lightbody R, Low R, Elstub S. Experts and evidence in deliberation: scrutinising the role of witnesses and evidence in mini-publics, a case study. Policy Sciences 2020, 53, 3-32.
  • Marien S, Goovaerts I, Elstub S. Deliberative qualities in televised election debates: the influence of the electoral system and populism. West European Politics 2020, 43(6), 1262-1284.
  • Beswick D, Elstub S. Between Diversity, Representation and ‘Best Evidence’: Rethinking Select Committee Evidence-Gathering Practices. Parliamentary Affairs 2019, 72(4), 945-964.
  • Davidson S, Elstub S, Johns R, Stark A. Rating the debates: The 2010 UK party leaders’ debates and political communication in the deliberative system. British Politics 2017, 12(2), 183-208.
  • Elstub S, Ercan S, Mendonca R. The Fourth Generation of Deliberative Democracy. Critical Policy Studies 2016, 10(2), 139-151.
  • Boeker M, Elstub S. The Possibility of Critical Mini-Publics: Realpolitik and Normative Cycles in Democratic Theory. Representation 2015, 51(1), 125-144.
  • Elstub S. A Genealogy of Deliberative Democracy. Journal of Democratic Theory 2015, 2(1), 100-117.
  • Elstub S, Poole L. Democratising the non-profit sector: reconfiguring the state-non-profit sector relationship in the UK. Policy and Politics 2014, 42(3), 385-401.
  • Elstub S. Deliberative Pragmatic Equilibrium Review: A Framework for Comparing Institutional Devices and their Enactment of Deliberative Democracy in the UK. British Journal of Politics and International Relations 2014, 16(3), 386-409.
  • Davidson S, Elstub S. Deliberative and Participatory Democracy in the UK. British Journal of Politics and International Relations 2014, 16(3), 367-385.
  • Elstub S. The Third Generation of Deliberative Democracy. Political Studies Review 2010, 8(3), 291-307.
  • Elstub S. Linking Micro Deliberative Democracy and Decision-Making: Trade Offs in Theory and Practice in a Partisan Citizen Forum. Representation 2010, 46(3), 309-324.
  • Elstub S. Democracy in Theory and Practice. Representation 2010, 46(3), 255-260.
  • Elstub S. Weber’s Dilemma and a Dualist Model of Deliberative and Associational Democracy. Contemporary Political Theory 2008, 7(2), 169-199.
  • Elstub S. Overcoming Complexity: Institutionalising Deliberative Democracy through Secondary Associations. The Good Society 2007, 16(1), 14-22.
  • Elstub S. Towards an Inclusive Social Policy in the UK: The Need For Democratic Deliberation in Voluntary and Community Associations’. Voluntas 2006, 17(1), 17-39.
  • Elstub S. A Double Edged Sword: The Increasing Diversity of Deliberative Democracy. Contemporary Politics 2006, 12(3-4), 301-319.

• Authored Book

  • Elstub S. Towards a Deliberative and Associational Democracy. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2008.

• Book Chapters

  • Carrick J, Elstub S. The Impact of Climate Assemblies on Formal and Informal Publics Spheres: The Case of Climate Assembly UK. In: Jacquet V; Ryan M; van der Does R, ed. The Impact of Democratic Innovations. Colchester: ECPR Press, 2023.
  • Elstub S, Khoban Z. Citizens’ assemblies: A critical perspective. In: Min Reuchamps, Julien Vrydagh and Yanina Welp, ed. De Gruyter Handbook of Citizens’ Assemblies. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2023, pp.113-126.
  • Elstub S, Pomatto G. Case Study Research. In: Selen A. Ercan, Hans Asenbaum, Nicole Curato, and Ricardo F. Mendonça, ed. Research Methods in Deliberative Democracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022, pp.406-420.
  • Elstub S, Escobar O. Introduction to the Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance: the field of democratic innovation. In: Elstub, S; Escobar, O, ed. The Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2019.
  • Elstub S, Escobar O. Defining and typologising democratic innovations. In: Elstub, S; Escobar, O, ed. The Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2019, pp.11-31.
  • Elstub S, Pomatto G. Mini-Publics and Deliberative Constitutionalism. In: King, J; Kong, H; Levy, R, ed. The Cambridge Handbook of Deliberative Constitutionalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018, pp.295-310.
  • Elstub S. Deliberation and Participatory Democracy. In: Bächtiger A; Dryzek JS; Mansbridge J; Warren M, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, pp.976.
  • Elstub S, McLaverty P. The Future of Deliberative Democracy. In: Elstub, S; McLaverty, P, ed. Deliberative Democracy: Issues and Cases. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014, pp.189-195.
  • Elstub S. Minipublics: Issues and Cases. In: Elstub, S; McLaverty, P, ed. Deliberative Democracy: Issues and Cases. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014, pp.166-188.
  • Elstub S, McLaverty P. Issues and Cases in Deliberative Democracy. In: Elstub, S; McLaverty, P, ed. Deliberative Democracy: Issues and Cases. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014, pp.1-16.
  • Elstub S. Linking Micro Deliberative Democracy and Decision-Making: Trade Offs in Theory and Practice in a Partisan Citizen Forum. In: Elstub, S, ed. Democracy in Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge, 2012, pp.55-70.
  • Elstub S. Democracy in Theory and Practice. In: Elstub, S, ed. Democracy in Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge, 2012, pp.1-6.
  • Elstub S, Kiernan A. Democratic Failings, Successes and Prospects in the European Union: Transnational Deliberative Democracy and the Social Open Method of Co-ordination. In: Jaworski, J.A, ed. Advances in Sociology Research. New York: Nova Science, 2011, pp.71-88.
  • Elstub S. Participation. In: Taylor, R, ed. Third Sector Research. New York: Springer, 2010, pp.105-119.
  • Elstub S. Synthesising Deliberative Democracy and Environmental Sustainability: Lessons from the Stanage Forum. In: Hindsworth, M.F.; Lang, T.B, ed. Community Participation and Empowerment. New York: Nova Science, 2009, pp.43-80.
  • Elstub S. Democracy. In: Mackenzie, I, ed. Political Concepts: A Reader and Guide. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005, pp.147-178.

• Edited Books

  • Elstub S, Escobar O, ed. The Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2019.
  • Elstub S, Ercan S, Mendonca R, ed. Deliberative Systems in Theory and Practice. Abingdon: Routledge, 2018.
  • Elstub S, McLaverty P, ed. Deliberative Democracy: Issues and Cases. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2014.
  • Elstub S, ed. Democracy in Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge, 2012.

• Editorials

  • Elstub S, Liu S-JS, Lühiste M. Coronavirus and Representative Democracy. Representation 2020, 56(4), 431-434.
  • Elstub S, Luhiste M. Editors’ Introduction. Representation 2017, 53(1), 1-4.

• Letter

  • Aitken M, Cunningham-Burley S, Darlington A, Elstub S, Escobar O, Jones K, Sethi N, Thompson R. Why the public need a say in how patient data are Used for Covid-19 Responses. International Journal of Population Data Science 2020, 5(2), 01.

• Reports

  • Curato N, Chalaye P, Conway Lamb W, De Pryck K, Elstub S, Morán A, Oppold D, Romero J, Ross M, Sanchez E, Sari N, Stasiak D, Tilikete S, Veloso L, von Schneidemesser D, Werner H. Global Assembly on the Climate and Ecological Crisis: Evaluation Report. Canberra: University of Canberra, 2023.
  • Andrews N, Elstub S, McVean S, Sandie G. Scotland’s Climate Assembly Research Report - process, impact and Assembly member experience. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Research, 2022. Social Research series.
  • Elstub S, Escobar O, Henderson A, Thorne T, Bland N, Bowes E. Research Report on the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2022. Social Research series.
  • Elstub S, Farrell DM, Carrick J, Mockler P. Evaluation of Climate Assembly UK. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2021.
  • Bowes E, Bland N, Escobar O, King B, Elstub S, Rozenberg M, Hendersen A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing - Weekend 8. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2021. 8.
  • Elstub S, Carrick J. Comparing Mini-Publics in the Scottish Parliament. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2020.
  • Bowes E, Bland N, Escobar O, Elstub S, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing- Weekend 4. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2020. 4.
  • Bows E, Bland N, Escobar O, King B, Elstub S, Rosenberg M, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing - Weekend 7. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2020. 7.
  • Bowes E, Escobar O, Rozenberg M, King B, Elstub S, Bland N, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing - Weekend 6. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2020. 6.
  • Bowes E, Bland N, Elstub S, Escobar O, Henderson A, King B, Rosenberg B. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing - Weekend 5. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2020. 5.
  • Bowes E, Escobar O, Elstub S, Bland N, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland Data Briefing- Weekend 3. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2020. 3.
  • Elstub S, Carrick J, Khoban Z. Evaluation of the Scottish Parliament's Citizens' Panels on Primary Care. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2019.
  • Elstub S, Carrick J, Khoban Z. Evaluation of the Scottish Parliament's Citizens' Jury on Land Management and the Natural Environment. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2019.
  • Elstub S, Carrick J. Evaluation of the Citizens’ Assembly on the Inquiry of Long-Term Funding of Adult Social Care. Newcastle: Newcastle University, 2019.
  • Carson L, Elstub S. Comparing participatory and deliberative democracy. newDEMOCRACY, 2019. Research and Development Notes.
  • Bowes E, Escobar O, Elstub S, Bland N, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing: Weekend 2. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2019. 2.
  • Bowes E, Escobar O, Elstub S, Bland N, Henderson A. Citizens' Assembly of Scotland: Data Briefing- Weekend 1. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2019. 1.
  • Elstub S, Johnson I, Puttick R, Wilkinson M. Assessing the Potential of Mini-Publics to Promote Evidence Uptake in Social Policy and Practice. Newcastle: Nesta, 2018.
  • O'Flynn I, Elstub S, Luhiste M. Report on the Northern Ireland Deliberative Forum on Social Care. Newcastle: Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, 2017.
  • Escobar O, Elstub S. Forms of mini-publics: An introduction to deliberative innovations in democratic practice. newDEMOCRACY, 2017. Research and Development Notes.
  • Escobar O, Elstub S. Deliberative innovations: Using ‘mini-publics’ to improve participation and deliberation at the Scottish Parliament. prepared for the Scottish Parliament Commission on Parliamentary Reform, 2017.
  • Elstub S, Johnson I, Puttick R. Overcoming Inequalities in Citizen Participation in Participatory Budgeting. Newcastle: Edinburgh City Council, 2016.
  • Elstub S. Deliberative Democracy and the Beyond 2015 Campaign. Newcastle: Newcastle University and Beyond 2015, 2016. An Academic Response to the Final Evaluation of the 2015 Beyond Campaign.

• Research Dataset/Database

  • Elstub S, Escobar O, Henderson A, Thorne T, Bland N, Bowes E. Research on the Citizens' Assembly of Scotland, 2019-2021. 2022. UK Data Service.