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Deborah Mabbett

Positions held:
  • Professor of Public Policy, School of Social Sciences
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  • Overview

    Overview

    Biography

    My academic training is in economics, but I have worked on public and social policy for most of my professional career. In the 1980s and 1990s, I worked mainly on comparative social policy and held research grants from the (then) UK Department of Social Security and the European Commission. I also worked as a consultant for the World Bank in Moldova and Lithuania. Subsequently, much of my research has been on the EU, including the effects of the single market on social insurance, the impact of anti-discrimination law and the political economy of the euro area. I have also written on pensions policy from a comparative perspective, and in 2018-19 I served on the Joint Expert Panel established to review the valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). Currently my main interests are in technical and expert policy-making, including research into minimum wage commissions, central banks and the role of science in public policy.

    Visiting posts

    • Visiting Fellow, , 01 September 2023 to 01 September 2024

    ORCID

  • Research

    Research

    Research overview

    The public is often told that 'there is no alternative' to the adoption of specific economic policies. In the contest for economic resources, partisan political debate is limited to a narrow range of redistributive taxation and spending policies, while many policies with profound effects on economic well-being are made by central bankers, regulators, judges and other experts. In my research, I try to illuminate how decisions affecting economic welfare are assigned between politically-contested and uncontested arenas, and how each arena works in constructing policy alternatives, seeking consensus, and responding to 'irritants' that disrupt prevailing policy settlements. Comparative studies can be revealing about how policy choices are constrained in specific national settings. For example, market-regulatory policies are often more politically contested in the United States than in Europe, while policy-making in the European Union has thrived on non-partisan regulatory methods. Through my research, which is primarily based on case studies of important policy areas, I aim to challenge the view that markets are not 'political' and to show the potential of taking a view of public policy which is not limited to what can be done within the constrained budgetary resources of governments.

  • Publications

    Publications

    Article

    • Mabbett, Deborah (2025) . Journal of European Public Policy ISSN 1350-1763.
    • Bohle, D. and Mabbett, Deborah (2025) . Journal of European Public Policy ISSN 1350-1763.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2023) . Socio-Economic Review ISSN 1475-1461.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2023) . The Political Quarterly 94 (3), pp. 481-486. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2022) . Mittelweg 36 2022 (1), ISSN 0941-6382.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2021) . Review of International Political Economy 28 (4), pp. 926-946. ISSN 0969-2290.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2019) . Review of International Political Economy 26 (3), pp. 436-460. ISSN 0969-2290.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2016) . Journal of European Public Policy 23 (8), pp. 1240-1258. ISSN 1350-1763.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2014) . Regulation & Governance 8 (2), pp. 186-202. ISSN 1748-5983.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2014) . Review of International Political Economy 22 (3), pp. 508-534. ISSN 0969-2290.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2012) . Politics & Society 40 (1), pp. 104-126. ISSN 0032-3292.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2009) . West European Politics 32 (4), pp. 774-791. ISSN 0140-2382.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2009) . Benefits 17 (2), pp. 137-147. ISSN 0962-7898.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2009) . West European Politics 32 (4), pp. 699-718. ISSN 0140-2382.
    • Hodson, Dermot and Mabbett, Deborah (2009) . Journal of Common Market Studies 47 (5), pp. 1041-1061. ISSN 0021-9886.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2008) . The Political Quarterly 79 (1), pp. 45-52. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2007) . JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies 45 (1), pp. 81-103. ISSN 0021-9886.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2007) . Journal of European Public Policy 14 (1), pp. 78-95. ISSN 1350-1763.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2005) . Journal of Social Policy 34 (2), pp. 215-233. ISSN 0047-2794.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2005) . Journal of Common Market Studies 43 (1), pp. 97-120. ISSN 0021-9886.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2003) . Benefits 11 (3), pp. 163-168. ISSN 0962-7898.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2000) . European Journal of Social Security 2 (3), ISSN 1388-2627.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Bolderson, H. (1999) . Journal of Public Policy 18 (2), pp. 177-200. ISSN 0143-814X.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (1997) . International Social Security Review 50 (1), pp. 57-74. ISSN 1468-246X.
    • Bolderson, H. and Mabbett, Deborah (1996) . International Social Security Review 49 (1), pp. 3-17. ISSN 1468-246X.
    • Bolderson, H. and Mabbett, Deborah (1995) . European Journal of Political Research 28 (1), pp. 119-139. ISSN 0304-4130.

    Book

    • Mabbett, Deborah (1995) . Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.

    Book section

    • Mabbett, Deborah (2020) . In: Agnew, S. and Davies, P. and Mitchell, Charles (eds.) Pensions: Law, Policy and Practice. Oxford, UK: Hart. ISBN 9781509922703.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Schelkle, W. (2016) . In: Caporaso, J. and Rhodes, M. (eds.) Political and Economic Dynamics of the Eurozone Crisis. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198755739.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2016) . In: Heffernan, R. and Hay, C. and Russell, M. and Cowley, P. (eds.) Developments in British Politics. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 203-220. ISBN 9781137494740.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2011) . In: Leisering, L. (ed.) The New Regulatory State: Regulating Pensions in Germany and the UK. Transformations of the State. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 191-210. ISBN 9780230272057.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2010) . In: Ross, M. and Borgmann Prebil, Y. (eds.) Promoting Solidarity in the European Union. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 198-215. ISBN 9780199583188.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2005) . In: Prokovnik, R. (ed.) Making Policy, Shaping Lives. Understanding Contemporary Politics. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9780748619740.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2004) . In: Marin, B. and Prinz, C. and Queisser, M. (eds.) Transforming Disability Welfare Policies: Towards Work and Equal Opportunities. Vienna, Austria: European Centre for Social Welfare Research and Policy. ISBN 9780754642844.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Bolderson, H. (2002) . In: Behrendt, C. (ed.) Social Security in the Global Village. International Social Security Series. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9780765809308.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Bolderson, H. (2001) . In: Clasen, J. (ed.) What Future for Social Security?: Debates and Reforms in National and Cross-national Perspective. Studies in Employment and Social Policy. The Hague: Kluwer. ISBN 9789041116710.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2001) . In: Birchall, J. (ed.) The New Mutualism in Public Policy. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9781138994430.
    • Mabbett, Deborah and Bolderson, H. (1998) . In: Clasen, J. (ed.) Comparative Social Policy: Concepts, Theories and Methods. Oxford, UK: Blackwell. ISBN 9780631207740.

    Editorial

    • Mabbett, Deborah (2025) . The Political Quarterly 96 (1), pp. 5-7. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3197.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2024) . The Political Quarterly 95 (1), Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2024) . The Political Quarterly 95 (3), pp. 389-391. Wiley. ISSN 1467-923X.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2023) . The Political Quarterly 94 (2), pp. 163-165. Wiley Blackwell. ISSN 1467-923X.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2022) . The Political Quarterly 93 (4), pp. 561-563. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2022) . The Political Quarterly 93 (2), pp. 187-189. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Killick, Anna and Mabbett, Deborah (2022) . The Political Quarterly 93 (4), pp. 637-639. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2021) . The Political Quarterly 92 (2), pp. 169-171. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2021) . The Political Quarterly 92 (4), pp. 591-593. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Killick, Anna and Mabbett, Deborah (2021) . The Political Quarterly 92 (3), pp. 393-395. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2020) . The Political Quarterly 91 (2), pp. 271-274. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2020) . The Political Quarterly 91 (4), pp. 701-704. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2018) . The Political Quarterly 89 (4), pp. 531-533. Wiley. ISSN 1467-923X.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2014) . The Political Quarterly 85 (3), pp. 351-353. Wiley. ISSN 0032-3179.

    Monograph

    • Horvath, Laszlo and Mabbett, Deborah (2024) . London, UK: The British Academy.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2011) . Regulation and Governance London, UK: London School of Economics and Political Science.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2010) . Jerusalem, Israel: Jerusalem Papers in Regulation & Governance.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2004) . University of Essex, Colchester, UK: Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (2002) . Brussels, Belgium: European Commission.
    • Mabbett, Deborah (1999) .
    • Bolderson, Helen and Mabbett, Deborah (1997) . Aldershot, UK: Avebury.

    Other

    • Horvath, Laszlo and Mabbett, Deborah (2023) . LSE British Politics and Policy London School of Economics.