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Special Recognition Award

Prof David Denver

The jury chose Professor David Denver for a Special Recognition Award in light of his major contribution to political studies. Jury members noted his widely acknowledged professionalism and excellence in both teaching and research. They commented on his unrivalled ability to set the standard in British election studies, question received wisdoms and render the complexities of his field accessible to students. They also noted his important work to make electoral research accessible to a range of audiences via EPOP and his encouragement of younger members of the profession. The jury noted that David Denver is seldom short of opinions but they are always shared with good humour and more often than not with telling wit.

As one of the foremost psephologists in Britain, David Denver has for years been a familiar figure to newspaper readers and television and radio audiences, particularly in his native Scotland. But his contribution to the literature, teaching and communication of political science over the past forty years has been immense.

David Denver was born in Ayrshire in 1944. He was brought up in Ardrossan, Ayrshire, where his father was a shipyard worker. He was educated at the University of Dundee, and had his first job in political science as a research assistant there from 1967 to 1969. In that year he took up a lectureship in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Lancaster, where he still works. He was senior lecturer from 1990, reader in politics from 1996, and has been professor of politics since 1997.

Over the years his publications have been some of those most frequently used in the teaching of political science. His book Elections and Voters in Britain is widely acknowledged as the best introductory textbook on elections and voting behaviour. As co-author of the long-running British Elections and Parties Yearbook, later known as British Elections and Parties Review, he collaborated with many established and up-and-coming political scientists. His analyses of the great changes that took place with the introduction of devolution to Scotland are widely respected, and he has continued to monitor Scottish politics from his vantage point not too far the other side of the border. He is currently working with undiminished enthusiasm on the forthcoming changes to the boundaries of Scottish Parliament constituencies.

Professor Denver has a long record of promoting and encouraging the work of younger political scientists and has worked unstintingly to promote political science through the Political Studies Association. He was an elected member of its council from 1988 to 1994 and again from 1999 to 2008. He is also closely associated with its Elections, Public Opinion and Parties group (EPOP) and was convenor of the EPOP conferences for nearly a decade, from 1993 to 2001. He chairs the editorial board of the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties.

In his spare time Professor Denver sings in the Lancaster University choir. Given his origins it is no surprise that his other interests include golf, Robert Burns and Presbyterianism. Perhaps more surprisingly, he is also an enthusiast for real beer.