Key research themes
1. How does mayoral leadership manifest and influence effectiveness in council-manager local government systems?
This theme investigates the nature, potential, and impact of mayoral leadership in council-manager cities, where formal executive powers are limited and leadership operates within a shared governance structure. Understanding this leadership is crucial for improving local government responsiveness and performance given the distinct institutional constraints of such systems.
2. What roles do advisory councils play in urban governance, and how do formal and informal functions shape their influence?
This theme explores the diverse and multi-dimensional roles of advisory councils within urban governance frameworks, emphasizing their involvement beyond formal mandates. Given the expanding emphasis on participatory governance and stakeholder engagement in cities, understanding both statutory and informal roles of advisory councils informs how these bodies contribute to policy-making and governance processes.
3. How does the rotating presidency affect leadership, continuity, and legislative effectiveness in the Council of the European Union before and after the Lisbon Treaty?
This theme examines institutional leadership dynamics in the EU Council, focusing on the presidency’s role in legislative decision-making continuity amidst structural reforms introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. Understanding these effects is vital to assessing how leadership rotation influences policy efficiency, agenda-setting power, and negotiation processes within the EU’s evolving governance system.