After graduating from Aberdeen University (the class of 1971), Grant worked in market research for 18 months and then began his academic career at Keele as a Research Assistant with Professor Jeremy Richardson. He returned to Aberdeen as a lecturer in 1974, was promoted to a personal chair in 1990 (an established chair in 1995) and from 2000 onwards he steered Politics and International Relations as Head of Department, until his retirement in 2010.
Grant was a stellar scholar with an outstanding publication record. He was the author/editor of 15 books and published numerous articles in major journals including the British Journal of Political Science, European Journal of Political Research, Journal of Common Market Studies, Political Studies, Public Administration and the Journal of Public Policy. He was co-author (with Jeremy Richardson) of the highly influential and agenda-setting Governing Under Pressure that examined the central role of policy communities in the policy-making process – before the days of policy networks. Jordan and Richardson followed this work by comparing policy styles in Europe, leading to a realisation by Grant and Professor Frank Baumgartner that their concepts and findings (particularly within 'Agendas and Instability in American Politics') were highly comparable, bringing closer together the literatures in the UK and US.
He coined (at least) two pieces of contemporary vocabulary used widely by other researchers, namely policy community and protest business. His other achievements include five ESRC Awards (Moray Firth Housing Study/Fellowship/British Interest Group Project on Mobilizing Campaign Groups/a second British Interest Group Project on Beliefs and Attitudes/Group population studies); two terms as Treasurer of the Joint University Council; and one as chair of the Public Administration Council. He worked with a large number of international experts, including Professors William Maloney (Newcastle), Darren Halpin (ANU), Jeremy Richardson (Oxford and Canterbury, NZ), Frank Baumgartner (UNC Chapel Hill), and many others. Grant was the force behind the establishment of the journal Interest Groups and Advocacy, which provided an intellectual home and bespoke outlet for the international scholarly community in the field. As its founding Editor – along with Professor Burdett Loomis (Kansas) – he set a path that today finds the journal at four issues a year and a well-established fixture on the publishing landscape.
Although held in high regard in international circles, Grant was Aberdeen University to the core – over 36 years of continuous service. His contribution to the development of Aberdeen’s Politics and IR department was immense and his research put it on the map. There will never be another Head of Department like him. With students he was firm but fair, supportive and helpful to those who needed assistance. With young colleagues, he was a generous and encouraging mentor always delivering sage advice and insights, and he warmly welcomed new colleagues and international visitors to Aberdeen by organizing social gatherings and providing many gifts. His gifts were invariably acquired in sales and bargain outlets – he took real pleasure from getting a good deal and was occasionally fondly referred to as Professor Bargain. Intellectually, he cajoled and nurtured colleagues, helping them develop their own ideas and research strategies. He had a knack for coming up with the appropriate phrase and always sought to prick pomposity. At times his e-mails were deliberately cryptic – he very mischievously enjoyed that – even in retirement. However, once the messages were deciphered one could see that he had cut straight to the heart of the problem. He could say a lot with a look, a nod and a few mumbled words. Occasionally, he was feisty, competitive and protective, but his aim was always to ensure fair play and develop the interests of his department. At times of need Grant was always the first one there, much more the friend than work colleague.
He had a deep fascination and love for US politics – in his retirement he spent hours watching US current affairs and news programmes. Grant visited the US many times, constantly developing and expanding relationships and networks. He was never a stranger at international conferences; there was always a ready international network of friends. Grant loved the ‘Dons’ – home and often away. His love of animals was also very evident, at one time being the proud owner of the most spoilt pigs and donkeys in the North-East of Scotland. He was an enthusiast for Scotland and particularly the North-East – it was mostly infectious.
Grant will be greatly missed by an international community of friends, colleagues and former students. The School of Social Science was a poorer place the day he retired and we would like to offer our profound sympathies to his family and close friends.