I studied Political Science, Modern History and English Cultural and Literary Studies at the University of Hannover (Germany) and at Liverpool John Moores University. In 2008, I earned my PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University. Following a year of post-doctoral research at GCU, I worked as a researcher in an EU-financed FP7 research project about policing in Europe. In January 2014, I started at UWS as Lecturer in Social Sciences - first based on the Dumfries Campus. Since summer 2016, I have been based on the Paisley Campus.

I am pursuing different research strands. My research focus lies on the role of knowledge and expertise in policy-making - in social and economic policy mainly. Institutions at the centre of this research interest are think tanks, broadly defined. Further research interests are centred on e-democracy, political parties of the centre-left, extra-parliamentary political and social movements on the far left and far right, 'decent work' and (social) care. 

My work on the role of experts and expertise in policy-making is central with regards to my current research activities. I have published work on think tanks and their role as "idea makers" during the Global Financial Crisis and the Great Recession. Furthermore, I have published on e-democracy and have led work of the UWS-Oxfam Partnership on the topic of "decent work" and on how Scotland progresses towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Lastly, I have undertaken research on the "well-being agenda" in Scotland and have workedon "newcomer" or "competitor parties" in Germany and how they strategise against established parties. 

My research will continue to develop within the broad field of the study of policy, politics and expertise. Also, I will continue to lead work by the UWS-Oxfam Partnership which seeks to develop policy ideas and to influence the debate in Scotland in line with the objectives of the Partnership - to create a "more sustainable and equitable Scotland". Currently, I am developing a research interest in artificial intelligence and big data and how they are becoming used in policy-making.

For my research, generally, academic and third sector organisations are the prime targets. My current cooperation with Oxfam through the UWS-Oxfam Partnership and my ongoing work with colleagues from universities and research institutes in the UK and Germany are evidence for such collaboration.

I teach both on the undergraduate and on the postgraduate level. I contribute to modules which cover the disciplines of sociology, politics and policy studies. Whenever possible, I incorporate practitioner input into modules to enrich the student experience.