Abstract
Professor Grant Jordan died on Friday 23 June at his home in Hatton, UK, aged 68. Most people know him as an esteemed international scholar in the field of public administration, the policymaking process and interest group politics. We remember him as a valued colleague, mentor and friend.
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 University 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 and, from 2000, 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. They produced a series of insights that still underpin the contemporary discussion of public policy: The size and scope of the state is so large that it is in danger of becoming unmanageable. The same can be said of the crowded environment in which huge numbers of actors seek policy influence. Consequently, the state’s component parts are broken down into policy sectors and sub-sectors, with power spread across government. Elected policymakers can only pay attention to a tiny proportion of issues for which they are responsible. So, they pay attention to a small number and ignore the rest. In effect, they delegate policymaking responsibility to other actors such as bureaucrats, often at low levels of government. At this level of government and specialisation, bureaucrats rely on specialist organisations for information and advice. Those organisations trade that information/advice and other resources for access to, and influence within, the government (other resources may relate to who groups represent – such as a large, paying membership, an important profession, or a high status donor or corporation). Therefore, most public policy is conducted primarily through small and specialist policy communities that process issues at a level of government not particularly visible to the public, and with minimal senior policymaker involvement.
They initially made this argument before the rise of ‘Thatcherism’ in the UK. Then, they used it to challenge the idea that Thatcherism marked a radical departure in policymaking. Jordan went on to do further empirical studies, with colleagues such as Professors William Maloney and Darren Halpin, to highlight a surprising amount of policymaking stability and continuity. Jordan and Richardson followed their original 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 the literatures in the UK and US.
Grant coined (at least) two pieces of contemporary vocabulary used widely by other researchers, namely policy community and protest business. His other achievements include five Economic and Social Research Council awards, two terms as Treasurer of the Joint University Council; and one as Chair of the Public Administration Council. Grant was the force behind the establishment of the journal Interest Groups and Advocacy, which provided an intellectual home for the international scholarly community. As its founding Editor – along with Professor Burdett Loomis (Kansas) – he set a path that today finds the journal a well-established fixture on the publishing landscape.
Although held in high regard in international circles, Grant was Aberdeen University to the core with over 36 years of continuous service. His contribution to the development of Aberdeen’s Politics and International Relations 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 organising 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 northeast of Scotland. He was an enthusiast for Scotland and particularly the northeast – it was mostly infectious.
Grant will be greatly missed by an international community of friends, colleagues and former students. Further tributes and comments are available at the University of Aberdeen (www.abdn.ac.uk/socsci/people/tribute-to-professor-grant-jordan-514.php) and Cairney’s blog (https://paulcairney.wordpress.com/2017/06/25/professor-grant-jordan/) which includes dedications by Jeremy Richardson, Frank Baumgartner and Bobby Pyper.