Dr Malcolm Harvey

Biography

Malcolm Harvey is a lecturer in Politics, appointed in September 2016.  He was previously engaged as a research fellow in the department, firstly attached to Professor Michael Keating's project "Constitutional Futures and Models of Policy-Making"; then through the Centre on Constitutional Change; and latterly helping to organise and participate in a seminar series on the "UK in a Changing Europe" programme, each of which were funded by the ESRC as part of their commitment to the changing Scottish and EU constitutional debates.

Malcolm graduated from the University of Stirling in 2006 with a first-class Honours degree in Politics, and received his MScEcon in Terrorism and International Relations from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 2008.  His PhD, awarded by the University of Stirling in 2015, considered the constitutional consultations run by the Scottish and Welsh Governments during the 2007-11 Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly terms.  

He has taught modules on British Politics and Political Theory at both the University of Stirling and the University of Strathclyde, and lectured on Nationalism at Aberdeen.  His teaching focus has shifted to the US in recent years, having been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship at Villanova University in 2021.  He now teaches a course on US Politics (level 3), US Presidents (level 4) and on US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy at postgraduate level.

Between 2016 and 2018, he completed the University of Aberdeen's Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, earning him the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  In 2021 he was awarded a highly prestigious Fulbright Award to work at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

Malcolm lives in Aberdeenshire with his wife, his daughter and his cat.

Prizes and Awards

Fulbright Award Recipient - Visiting Scholarship at Villanova University (2021)

University of Aberdeen Excellence Award Winner 2025: Excellence in Student Support

AUSA and University of Aberdeen Excellence in Teaching Award Nominations:
Best Undergraduate Lecturer (2019, 2020,2024, 2025, 2026)
Personal Tutor of the Year (2025, 2026)
Mental Health Champion (2019, 2020)
Best Support Staff (2021)
Funniest Lecturer (2026)

Past Research

A co-authored book with Professor Michael Keating (University of Aberdeen) examining welfare options available to Scotland as both an independent state and a sub-state within the UK.

Two published articles with Dr Daniel Cetrà (University of Edinburgh) comparing Scotland and Catalonia and experiences of secessionist parties, and government responses to secessionist claims.

Knowledge Exchange

• Prepared, organised and delivered lectures and discussion sessions with school pupils at seven secondary schools in the North-East of Scotland as a means of engaging 16 and 17 year olds in the debate on the Scottish independence referendum.
• Delivered guest lectures on the Scottish independence referendum at the University of Tallinn and the University of Vilnius.
• Prepared written evidence for Scottish Parliament Europe and External Affairs Committee on “The Role of Small States in the European Union: lessons for Scotland.”
• Prepared written evidence for Scottish Government consultation on “Ballot Paper Ordering.”
• Invited to guest lecture at the EURAC Winter School on Federalism and Governance at the University of Innsbruck.
• Organised a public seminar series on ‘The UK in a Changing Europe’ in which academic and practitioner panels contributed to the public debate on the UK’s place in the EU, prepared extensive post-event reports.

Collaborations

Associate Fellow, Centre on Constitutional Change

Co-author of several journal articles, conference papers and books chapters with:

• Dr Peter Lynch (University of Stirling)
• Professor Michael Keating (University of Aberdeen)
• Professor Paul Cairney (University of Stirling)
• Professor Roger Awan-Scully (Cardiff University)
• Dr Emily St.Denny (University of Copenhagen)
• Dr Daniel Cetrà (University of Edinburgh)
• Dr Alan Convery (University of Edinburgh)
• Professor Nicola McEwen (University of Edinburgh)

Funding and Grants

Fulbright Scholarship at Villanova University (2021) ($25,000 US)

Department of Politics and International Relations Early Career Researcher Travel Grant (2019) (£500)