Role

Chris Ballinger joined Exeter in 2011, as the College’s first Academic Dean.

The Academic Dean brings together the work previously done by Tutorial Fellows as Senior Tutor, Tutor for Graduates, and Tutor for Admissions. In doing this, Dr Ballinger works in close consultation with the Rector and the Fellowship as a whole – in particular, with all Tutorial Fellows – and with College Lecturers, College Officers, and staff, to ensure that academic activity in Exeter College remains at its strongest. In particular, he co-ordinates the strategic planning of the College’s academic activity; oversees teaching arrangements and monitors, in conjunction with Tutorial Fellows and Lecturers, the academic progress of undergraduates; oversees the arrangements for the recruitment, selection, and induction, of undergraduate and postgraduate students; and plays a key role in supporting the College’s graduate community. As Tutor for Admissions, Dr Ballinger speaks at open days and other events about how to apply to Oxford University and to Exeter College; as part of Oxford University’s regional outreach programme, Dr Ballinger works with Exeter College’s Schools Liaison Officer to link with schools in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay), Cornwall, Somerset, and the City of London.

Research Interests

Dr Ballinger’s research interests are in British politics, especially Parliament, the constitution, and elections. He also maintains a keen interest in Australian politics. His book, The House of Lords 1911–2011: A Century of Non-Reform was published in October 2012 by Hart Publishing.  It has been reviewed here.

Background

Chris Ballinger read PPE at The Queen’s College, Oxford, where he remained for postgraduate study, taking an MSc and DPhil in Politics. Prior to coming to Exeter, he worked for five years for Oxford University, and for most of that time facilitated ground-breaking research projects in the Social Sciences Division. Before this, he spent five years as Lecturer in Politics at Brasenose College, Oxford, and has also been a Lecturer at St Peter’s College, St Anne’s College, and Harris Manchester College. In 2004, he was seconded to Parliament to assist the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitutional Reform Bill [HL].

Selected Publications

• The House of Lords 1911–2011: A Century of Non-Reform (Oxford, Hart Publishing, 2012)
• ‘Hedging and Ditching: The Parliament Act 1911’ (2011) 30 Parliamentary History 19 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-0206.2010.00239.x
• Democracy and Voting (London, Hansard Society, 2006)