People features

Liz David-Barrett, Professor of Governance and Integrity (Politics), is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption, leading the centre’s activities in research, teaching and policy impact. Her proposal Power Grab: The Rise of State Capture has recently been shortlisted for the 2023 Ideas Prize. The prize, from Profile Books, awards the best debut trade non-fiction proposal from an academic.

When I was younger I wanted to be a vet, mainly because I was a huge cat lover, then later a science journalist. I was quite into science in my early teens and liked the idea of being a bridge between scientists and the general public. Natural sciences turned out not to be my thing, but I did later become a journalist, reporting on politics and business in the Balkans in the late 1990s/early 2000s for The Economist and Financial Times.

I research corruption, particularly a form of high-level political corruption called state capture. This is where a narrow interest group diverts public policy from serving the public interest and instead skews rules, laws and institutions to its own advantage. It does really long-term damage by increasing inequality and undermining democracy and can be difficult to recover from. I hope that my work will help make societies more resistant and resilient to state capture.

My colleagues are really great – everyone is easy-going but very supportive. They are open to new ideas and committed to what they do. I love teaching on our Masters in Corruption and Governance, which attracts interesting and passionate students from all around the world. On campus, my favourite place is the view of the South Downs from the top of the hill near Freeman building.

I’ve recently taken up running again and I’m a big fan of Park Run. I have been enjoying exploring south coast vineyards at weekends recently and, if my sons are around, we often end up playing Civilization. Otherwise, I spend spare time cooking, and watching or listening to crime and police shows or political satire. And if I can find an 80s/90s disco night, you can’t get me off the dancefloor.

The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to work with people you admire and like. Then you’re motivated to do interesting things and achieve results, but you also have a lot of fun along the way.

The winner of the Ideas Prize 2023 will be announced by the end of summer 2024.