My research is informed by relational and historical approaches to sociology. This work involves long-term perspectives in sociological theory and problems of nation, state, culture and society, focussing particularly on Scotland, the UK and Europe. I am currently completing a forthcoming book, The Roots of Sociology: Scottish Enlightenment and the Civilising Process (Routledge, 2026) and have begun work on a related study Undertanding Relational Sociology (Edward Elgar, 2028). Other recent work concerns the sociology of art and the civiising process for a book co-edited with Stephen Mennell, The Anthem Companion to Norbert Elias (Anthem, 2023) and the sociology of art critics (The Sociological Review, 2024).

My work draws upon relational and processual sociology, principally inspired by Pierre Bourdieu and Norbert Elias. 

I am willing to supervise students in any relevant area of sociology and social theory for the following research degrees: one-year MSc by Research, two-year MPhil or three-year PhD.  For more information please email   [email protected]