John Curtice

Professor of Politics
University of Strathclyde
Professor of Politics

Biography

This fellowship is focused on public opinion towards Scotland's constitutional future, and will address three key questions:

  • Are people's attitudes towards independence simply a reflection of their sense of national identity, or are they are also shaped by what they think the consequences of independence would be?
  • Will people vote for or against independence simply based on this issue, or will they be influenced by their attitudes towards the UK government or the various political parties?
  • Has introducing devolution inevitably put Scotland on a path towards independence, or can a stable basis be found for governing Scotland within the framework of the United Kingdom?

The fellowship has resulted in the creation of a website, www.whatscotlandthinks.org, which provides a comprehensive collection of  data on public attitudes towards Scotland's future together together with blogs and briefings on the subject. This will be followed by a book length study in the new year.

Expertise

Constitution

Posts by this author

Maybe Yes, Maybe No? YouGov and Panelbase polls

John Curtice of What Scotland Thinks responds to the latest polls from YouGov and Panelbase.

State of the debate: The polls

As part of a weekly state of the debate series, John Curtice assesses the impact of Tuesday's debate on the polls.

Responding to the TNS BMRB Poll

John Curtice, in a post originally published on What Scotland Thinks, responds to the results of the TNS BMRB poll commissioned by Sir Tom Hunter.

Referendum Race Becalmed: No Change from TNS BMRB

John Curtice discusses how it's appeared to be the case for some time now that the referendum race has become becalmed once more.

So What Can Happen in 16 Weeks?

In a blog posted on What Scotland Thinks, John Curtice reflects on the official campaign period which launches today.

Divided on Scotland's constitutional future

John Curtice looks at why it's accurate to say that more devolution is the least unpopular of the various options that have been proposed.