Professor Gordon Crawford

Professor of Development Politics

Photo of Professor Gordon Crawford

I specialise in the politics of development. I hold a Bachelors degree in Sociology, a Masters in Development Studies, and a PhD in Development Politics. I have worked at the University of Leeds since 1993.

I am co-editor of the journal Democratization. I am co-convenor of the Governance Working Group of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). I am an international adviser to the Poverty and Development (PAD) research programme at the Centre for Development and Environment at the University of Oslo.

Research Interests

My research focuses on issues of democracy, human rights and development, especially in Africa. Recent research has explored the intersection between decentralisation and a rights-based approach to development, as well as decentralisation and poverty reduction, with fieldwork in Ghana. I have written extensively on international democracy promotion policies, especially those of the EU, including their evaluation.

Current Research Project: Human Rights, Power and Civic Action

Teaching

I teach core modules on the undergraduate and postgraduate Development Studies programmes, including theories and strategies of development. I also teach a research-led postgraduate module on 'Democracy and Development'. I am a qualified teacher in further and adult education, where I taught prior to my current academic career.

PhD Supervision

I am keen to supervise enthusiastic research students in areas including:

Decentralisation
Democratisation and governance
Human rights and development
Alternatives and resistance to neo-liberal globalisation
Participatory development

Research proposals on Africa (and Ghana in particular) are especially welcomed, as well as from selected countries in Asia and Latin America.

Key Publications

Journal Articles

Crawford, G. (2008) Decentralization and the Limits to Poverty Reduction: Findings from Ghana. Oxford Development Studies, 36(2), pp.235-258.
Crawford, G. (2008) EU Human Rights and Democracy Promotion in Central Asia: From Lofty Priniciples to Lowly Self-Interests. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 9(2), pp.172-191.
Crawford, G. (2007) Promoting Democracy in Central Asia: What's Needed and Why It Won't Happen. Sicherheit und Frieden/Security and Peace, 3, pp.133-38.

Books

Crawford, G. and Hartmann, C. (2008) Decentralisation in Africa: A Pathway out of Poverty and Conflict? Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, EADI Book Series.
Crawford, G. (2000) Foreign Aid and Political Reform: a comparative analysis of democracy assistance and political conditionality. Palgrave.