Professor Darren Halpin

Darren Halpin is Professor of Political Science, in the School of Politics and International Relations, at the Research School of Social Sciences, the Australian National University. He is Co-editor of the journal Interest Groups and Advocacy and the Foundation Series Editor for the book series Interest Groups, Advocacy and Democracy (Palgrave, UK). Darren is co-convenor of a newly established Political Organisations and Participation section of the Australian Political Studies Association. His research agenda examines interest groups in the policy process, with specific emphasis on the political representation provided by groups, the level of (and necessity for) internal democracy within groups, and in assessing group organizational development/capacity. He has undertaken research in several country contexts, including Australia, the UK, Denmark and the US. These themes are explored in his two recent books, Groups, Representation and Democracy (2010, Manchester University Press) and The Organization of Political Interest Groups (2014, Routledge). His current ARC funded project examines the transformation of the Australian interest group system, within which the federalism is an important element. He is currently collaborating with scholars in Scotland, Quebec and Catalonia to examine the impact of variations in levels of regional political and cultural autonomy on the pattern of group politics.

For more information please visit Darren's ANU Researchers page or his personal webpage.