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Biography Rudi Wurzel is Professor of Comparative European Politics and Jean Monnet Chair in European Union Studies in the Department of Politics.

He received his PhD from the University of London, where he studied at the London School of Economics (Department of International Relations), for a thesis entitled ‘Britain, Germany and the European Union: Environmental Policy-making from 1972-97’. Rudi was awarded an MA in European integration (with distinction) from the University of Hull and an MA in Politics (main subject), Law and German Literature from the University of Augsburg (Germany). He studied at the Universities of Würzburg, Augsburg, Hull and London. He received German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarships and research grants from the University of London and ESRC for his postgraduate studies.


Rudi's main research areas include environmental policy and politics, European Union, comparative European politics, German politics, new modes of governance, public policies and offshore wind and other green economy developments in structurally disadvantaged cities.

Rudi joined the University of Hull as a lecturer in 1993. He was promoted to senior lecturer (2003) and reader (2005) before being awarded a chair.

He is the Director of the interdisciplinary Centre for European Governance (CEG) after having been Director of the Centre for European Union Studies (CEUS) from 2004-2020. Rudi has successfully completed a large number of projects for which he received grants from funding bodies such as the British Academy, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), EU, Nuffield Foundation, Leverhulme Trust and Anglo-German Foundation.
Research Interests Environmental policy, comparative European politics, European Union, German politics, new modes of governance, public polices, multilevel and polycentric governance
Teaching and Learning Undergraduate

- Politics of the Environment
- Understanding the European Union
- Germany in the New Europe
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Introduction to Policy-Making
- Paths of Research
- Dissertation supervision

Postgraduate
- Conflict in Global Environment Politics - Sustainable Security in a World of Conflict
- Cooperation in International Environment Politics - Sustainable Security in a World of Cooperation
- MA dissertation supervision
Scopus Author ID 6603618428
PhD Supervision Availability Yes
PhD Topics I welcome applications in any area related to my main research areas which include environmental policy, comparative European politics, European Union, German politics, new modes of governance, public polices, multilevel and polycentric governance as well as on topics which are related to my main research expertise.

Completed PhDs


Achara Banjongprasert (2019), Advocacy NGOs, Advocacy strategies and new participatory spaces: The case on Thai advocacy NGOs and the Xayaburi dam project.

Jeremy Moulton (2018), A tale of two cities: Ecological modernisation, climate action and political myth in the European Union.

Lars Borrass (2014), Implementing the Area Management and Species Protection Requirements of the Habitats Directive in Germany and the United Kingdom, a Comparative Analysis of Varying Implementation Practices and Processes (external joint supervisor)

Mihalis Ragkousis (2013), The Open Method of Coordination on Social Inclusion: Analysing the Participation of British and Greek Stakeholders and its Impact on their Expectations, Political Activities and Loyalties

Sarah Hoffmann (2010), The Creation of the European Environment Agency and its Impact on National Administrations in Germany, France and Britain

Current PhD students:
Flávia Guerra, Sovereignty and Governance of Offshore Renewable Energy (joint supervisor with Prof Richard Barnes (first supervisor))

Michael Howcroft, Identity: Hull UK City of Culture 2017 - Post-Brexit (joint supervisor with Prof Franco Bianchini (first supervisor) and Prof David Atkinson)