Dr Wall is a specialist in the study of elections and campaigns, with a particular focus on how the Internet is affecting contemporary campaign dynamics. He has produced over 20 peer-reviewed publications on these topics across a range of prestigious academic journals. Dr Wall holds a PhD in Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. He is a Marie Curie Fellow, having participated in the ELECDEM Initial Training Network as an Experienced Researcher at Kieskompas, based in the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. Dr Wall completed a further postdoctoral fellowship at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, prior to taking up a Lectureship in Politics at Swansea University in 2012. While at Swansea, Dr Wall has led major, interdisciplinary and international research projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the CHERISH Digital Economy Centre. He is currently a co-director of Swansea University’s Politics and Governance Research Group as well as being the Director of the WISERD Politics and Governance Research Network.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Election campaign dynamics
  • Online politics and the role of the Internet in contemporary campaigns
  • Vote Advice Application Websites
  • Election forecasting
  • Political Party Policy Analysis
  • Electoral System Consequences and Reform Dynamics

 

RESEARCH

My research covers a wide range of aspects of my core focus on the electoral process. My early work focused on electoral systems, both in terms of their consequences and the processes that lead to their reform. The main body of my research examines how the advent and mass adoption of Internet technologies is affecting election campaigns – looking at how these technologies are affecting voters, political actors, and the wider dynamics of political campaigning. I have focused particularly on how online ‘Voter Advice Application’ tools are designed and how they can influence participation and vote choice. My most recent work uses online political gambling markets to generate fresh insights into the granular unfolding of political campaigns over time.

Matthew Wall Bio