Dr Ben Worthy

Positions held:

Reader in Politics and Public Policy, School of Social Sciences

Overview

Overview

Biography

I joined Birkbeck College in 2012. My research interests include Government Transparency, particularly Freedom of Information, as well as Political Leadership and British Politics.
Research
Research

Research interests
- Government Transparency, particularly Freedom of Information
- Political Leadership
- British Politics
Research Centres and Institutes
- Director, Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life
Research projects
Who's Watching Parliament? Monitory Democracy at Westminster.
Abstract

Who's Watching Parliament? (2019-2022)

Since 2004, a whole range of data tools and sources have allowed users to ‘watch’ what MPs and Peers are doing, in terms of how they are voting, their expenses and allowances or outside interests.
This Leverhulme Trust funded project examined the impact of new data tools and sources on Westminster. It asked
Who is using the new data to watch Parliament?
What and who they are monitoring?
What the impact is on those being watched and the public outside?

Funded by
Leverhulme Trust

Outcomes

Final Report and Project Blog
See the final report and an executive summary here https://whoswatchingwestminster.wordpress.com/project-report/
View the project website here https://whoswatchingwestminster.wordpress.com/
Read Some Evidence and Blogs
LSE Policy and Politics Blog (2021) 'The central problem with lobbying is the lack of data, which only worsens the public’s perceptions of the issue' https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/lobbying-data/
LSE Policy and Politics Blog (2020) 'An MP’s voting record matters, but not in the way you think' https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/mps-voting-records/
LSE Policy and Politics Blog (2020) 'How data-driven democracy both helps and hinders politics' https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/data-driven-democracy/
Watch
Political Studies Association Parliaments Conference (2021) 'Who's Watching Parliament'? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXo75Q7aFj0
Open Data Institute (2021) 'Does More Data Make for Better Politics?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaITE0tsFSU
AI, Data and Lobbying

Abstract

TICTeC 2024: Can robots lobby? AI, democracy and political persuasion
Ben Worthy and Laszlo Horvath from Birkbeck College, University of London, at mySociety's The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC) on 13 June 2024 in London and online.
Lobbying is seen as a bad thing in politics, a negative influence often connected to corruption, secrecy and poor behaviour.
This paper asks how AI can change lobbying for better or worse. It looks in turn at how AI can allow different groups to do the same things but better; and do new things. It draws on examples from the UK and US, as well as wider academic studies, to predict what may happen, and offer a framework.
Turning to those doing the lobbying, it asks if AI can make lobbyist more powerful. Will it help lobbyists to use big data to pinpoint lobbying spots, or to mass mobilise the public? Or can it even introduce robots as lobbyists, and if so, how does this link to issues of manipulation and fake/misinformation either to voters or politicians? It then asks if the presence of AI creates a ‘double black box’ of secrecy.
On the other side, it examines whether AI can make lobbying regulation and those monitoring it more powerful. Can it be used to better watch lobbying, or raise awareness of problems? Can it allow the groups monitoring lobbying to act as a police patrol or fire alarm? Far into the future, could robots act as lobby monitors?
see the talk here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfB5ZNKGmnQ&list=PLMbWpADzhTC55cuWiBkEnWRUge9S2PVEc&index=34

Title: Follow the Money; Transparency, Democracy and Conflict in local governmen

Abstract

This project examines the politics of financial transparency in English local government, asking how transparency tools are used, what kind of transparency is created, and if they connect to wider democratic engagement. It argues that while transparency can act as a trigger for democratic accountability, but also for conflict between institutions, and reinforcement of policy narratives (Copus et al 2017). The ‘politics of openness’ around finance creates secrecy battles, and lines of conflict, framed by competing narratives over what local government should do, and its competing roles (Schattschneider 1963).
English local government has been subject to financial transparency regulations since the early 19th century, and anyone wishing to watch local government now has an array of tools to choose from, stretching across audit to FOI and open data. However, openness takes place within a heavily centralised system, where local government is caught between being a conduit for service delivery and a site of democratic representation. The pressure for transparency is especially acute at a time of great financial distress (Pike 2023).
Transparency tools can provide a link to create democratic accountability, and have an indirect effect on setting agendas and reinforcing salient issues (Ref). The book argues that while such tools and data have driven various types of financial transparency, they are rarely used, and ill-fitting and poorly suited to the complex and fragmented world of local government spending. It also triggers multi-level conflicts are especially pronounced amid economic crisis (Pike 2023).
The project draws on a combination of existing data (Constitution Unit 2010), public inquiries (Justice 2012: Burns 2015) and academic studies (Worthy et al 2013; Shepherd et al 2010; Richter and Wilson 2013). Added to this is unique research by the author, combining FOI requests, as well as interviews, a survey of local journalists, media coding and polling.
Worthy, Ben (2023) Debate: can audit reduce information asymmetry? The case of English local government. Public Money & Management ISSN 0954-0962.
Supervision and teaching
Supervision and teaching

Supervision

Supervisions within Birkbeck:

5

Current doctoral researchers
- ELLIS WIGGINS
  
  Nature of supervision:
  Principal Supervisor, May 2023 onwards
- FIONA DENT
  
  Nature of supervision:
  Joint Principal Supervisor, Sep 2024 onwards
  
  Title of thesis:
  To explore and identify the novel effects of Large Language Models and Generative AI on political agency
- SACHA MARTEN
  
  Nature of supervision:
  Joint Principal Supervisor, Sep 2024 onwards
- IANTHI STERGIOU
  
  Nature of supervision:
  Principal Supervisor, Jun 2020 onwards
  
  Title of thesis:
  From Campus to Parliament: Gendered Experiences in Student Politics and Their Impact on Women's Political (under)Representation in the UK and Greece
- NEUS VIDAL MARTI
  
  Nature of supervision:
  Principal Supervisor, Sep 2019 onwards
Teaching

Teaching modules
- Contemporary British Politics (POSO003S5)
- Public Policy: Interests, Ideas, Institutions (POSO025S7)
- Parliamentary Studies (SSPO122S6)
Publications
Publications
Article
- Worthy, Ben and Waugh, M. (2024) Open, more democratic or better at hiding? Two decades of local government transparency in the UK. Local Government Studies ISSN 0300-3930.
- Worthy, Ben and Bennister, M. (2024) The ‘Electoral Presidentialization’ of Silvio Berlusconi and Boris Johnson: chaos, controversy and lost chances. British Journal of Politics and International Relations ISSN 1369-1481.
- Worthy, Ben and Richards-Gray, Laura and Smith, J.C. (2023) Remind you of anyone? Comparing the gendered heroic leadership of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. British Politics ISSN 1746-918X.
- Worthy, Ben (2023) Debate: can audit reduce information asymmetry? The case of English local government. Public Money & Management ISSN 0954-0962.
- Worthy, Ben and Crepaz, M. (2023) Cleaning up UK politics: what would better lobbying regulation look like?. Parliamentary Affairs ISSN 0031-2290.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2022) Will Truss's time end in failure? Assessing the prospects of the latest ‘Takeover’ Prime Minister. Political Quarterly ISSN 1467-923X.
- Worthy, Ben and Langehennig, Stefani (2022) Accountability, analysis and avoidance: how PMO data impacts on Westminster. The Journal of Legislative Studies ISSN 1357-2334.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Morgan, Cat and Langehennig, Stefani (2022) Is data-driven politics good for democracy?. Political Insight 13 (2), pp. 22-25. ISSN 2041-9058.
- Worthy, Ben and Cicatielloa, L. and De Simone, E. and Di Mascioc, F. and Gaeta, G.L. and Natalini, A. (2022) Exploring FOI publicity patterns: the case of Italian municipalities. Government Information Quarterly 39 (2), pp. 101678. ISSN 0740-624X.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Bennister, M. (2021) 'Dominance, defence and diminishing returns'? Theresa May’s leadership capital July 2016 to July 2018. British Politics 16, pp. 295-316. ISSN 1746-918X.
- Worthy, Ben (2021) Right to know? Freedom of information in Britain. Political Insight 12 (1), pp. 32-34. ISSN 2041-9058.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Heide, M. (2019) Secrecy and leadership: the case of Theresa May’s Brexit negotiations. Public Integrity 21 (6), pp. 582-594. ISSN 1099-9922.
- Grimmelikhuijsen,, S. and John,, P. and Meijer,, A. and Worthy, Benjamin (2018) Do Freedom of Information laws increase transparency of government? A replication of a field experiment. Journal of Behavioral Public Administration 1 (2), pp. 1-10. ISSN 2576-6465.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Bennister, M. and Stafford, M. (2018) Rebels leading London: the mayoralties of Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson compared. British Politics 14, pp. 23-43. ISSN 1746-918X.
- Worthy, Benjamin and John, P. and Vannoni, M. (2017) Transparency at the parish pump: a field experiment to measure the effectiveness of freedom of information requests in England. Journal of Public Administration Research And Theory 27 (3), pp. 485-500. ISSN 1477-9803.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Hazell, R. (2017) Disruptive, dynamic and democratic? Ten years of FOI in the UK. Parliamentary Affairs 70 (1), pp. 22-42. ISSN 0031-2290.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2016) Ending in failure? The performance of ‘Takeover’ Prime Ministers 1916–2016. Political Quarterly 87 (4), pp. 509-517. ISSN 1467-923X.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2015) The impact of open data in the UK: complex, unpredictable, and political. Public Administration 93 (3), pp. 788-805. ISSN 1467-9299.
- Meijer, A. and 't Hart, P. and Worthy, Benjamin (2015) Assessing government transparency: an interpretive framework. Administration & Society 50 (4), pp. 501-526. ISSN 0095-3997.
- Michener, G. and Worthy, Benjamin (2015) The information-gathering matrix: a framework for conceptualizing the use of freedom of information laws. Administration & Society 50 (4), pp. 476-500. ISSN 0095-3997.
- t'Hart, P. and Bennister, M. and Worthy, Benjamin (2015) Assessing the authority of political office-holders: the leadership capital index. West European Politics 38 (3), pp. 417-440. ISSN 0140-2382.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2014) A powerful weapon in the right hands? how members of parliament have used freedom of information in the UK. Parliamentary Affairs 67 (4), pp. 783-803. ISSN 1460-2482.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2013) “Some are More Open than Others”: Comparing the impact of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on local and central government in the UK. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice 15 (5), pp. 395-414. ISSN 1387-6988.
- Hazell, R. and Bourke, G. and Worthy, Benjamin (2012) Open house: freedom of information and its impact on the UK parliament. Public Administration 90 (4), pp. 901-921. ISSN 1467-9299.
- Hazell, R. and Worthy, Benjamin (2010) Assessing the performance of freedom of information. Government Information Quarterly 27 (4), pp. 352-359. ISSN 0740-624X.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2010) More open but not more trusted? the effect of freedom of information on the UK central government. Governance 23 (4), pp. 561-582. ISSN 1468-0491.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2008) The future of freedom of information in the UK. Political Quarterly 79 (1), pp. 100-108. ISSN 1467-923X.
Book
- Worthy, Benjamin (2017) The politics of freedom of information: how and why governments pass laws that threaten their power. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. ISBN 9780719097676.
- Worthy, Benjamin and Amos, J. and Hazell, R. and Bourke, B. (2011) Town hall transparency? the impact of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on local government in England. London, UK: The Constitution Unit, Department of Political Science, University College, London. ISBN 9781903903629.
- Hazell, R. and Worthy, Benjamin and Glover, M. (2010) The impact of the Freedom of Information Act on central government in the UK: does freedom of information work?. Understanding Governance. London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9780230250345.
Book Section
- Worthy, Ben (2023) Freedom of Information in Europe: creation, context, and conflict. In: Mokrosinska, D. (ed.) Transparency and Secrecy in European Democracies. Routledge Research in Comparative Politics. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. pp. 39-56. ISBN 9780367620318.
- Worthy, Ben (2022) “Three Harmless Words": New Labour and Freedom of Information. In: Gordon, M and Tucker, A (eds.) The New Labour Constitution: Twenty Years On. Hart Studies in Constitutional Law. London, UK: Hart Publishing. pp. 153 -175. ISBN 9781509924653.
- Worthy, Benjamin (2016) Access to information in the UK and India. In: Bignami, F. and Zaring, D. (eds.) Comparative Law and Regulation: Understanding the Global Regulatory Process. Research Handbooks in Comparative Law. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 190-214. ISBN 9781782545606.
- Hazell, R. and Worthy, Benjamin (2013) La Transparence administrative est-elle efficace?. In: Pasquier, M. (ed.) Le principe de transparence: En Suisse et dans la monde. Lausanne, Switzerland: PPUR. pp. 95-110. ISBN 9782880749835.
Conference Item
- Worthy, Benjamin (2016) Brexit and open government in the UK. Open Government Partnership, 2016, Paris, France
- Bennister, M. and Worthy, Benjamin (2012) 'One is, after all, ﬁnite': what is political capital? how do political leaders get it, use it and then lose it?. In Defence of Politics, 2012, Belfast
- Worthy, Benjamin and Grimmelikhuijsen, S. (2012) Transparency and trust in the UK and Netherlands. The Transatlantic Conference on Transparency Research, 2012, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Worthy, Benjamin and Bourke, G. (2011) Open house? the impact of freedom of information. Transforming Politics: New Synergies, 2011, London, UK
Monograph
- Worthy, Benjamin and Bourke, G. (2011) The sword and the shield: the use of FOI by parliamentarians and the impact of FOI on parliament. London, UK: Constitution Unit, UCL.

Dr Ben Worthy

Overview

Biography

Research

Research interests

Research Centres and Institutes

Research projects

Who's Watching Parliament? Monitory Democracy at Westminster.

AI, Data and Lobbying

Title: Follow the Money; Transparency, Democracy and Conflict in local governmen

Supervision and teaching

Supervision

Current doctoral researchers

ELLIS WIGGINS

FIONA DENT

SACHA MARTEN

IANTHI STERGIOU

NEUS VIDAL MARTI

Teaching

Teaching modules

Publications

Article

Book

Book Section

Conference Item

Monograph