My research straddles comparative and international politics and political economy, with a special focus on comparative capitalism, business and politics, labour politics and post-communist politics. My research has appeared in World Politics, Comparative Political Studies, Politics & Society, New Political Economy and various other journals and edited volumes. My research focuses on four key areas.

First, I have a long-standing interest in political economy and especially the institutional foundations of capitalism, and I have published widely on the diversity of capitalist systems. My book on Comparative Capitalism; A Global Perspective (Bloomsbury, 2025) synthesises this research programme and advances a global approach to the topic.

Secondly, I work on topics related to business and politics, notably the relationship between business and the global rise of populism. My book on Business and Populism: The Odd Couple? (co-edited with Glenn Morgan) was published by Oxford University Press in 2023. This book and related research projects examine the political role of business and business associations in shaping and responding to the rise of populism.

Thirdly, I conduct research on comparative social democracy, and my new book on Practical Social Democracy (co-edited with Jonas Hinnfors and Mark Wickham-Jones) was published by Cambridge University Press in 2026. It develops a novel approach to the study of reformist politics and political parties. In related work I have studied other aspects of labour politics and the political economy of labour market institutions.

Finally, I have a long-standing interest in post-communist politics, and I have published extensively on the development of political and economic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and China. A book based on my involvement with the EU-funded COST network on China-in-Europe (CHERN) - Narrating China and Europe in Uncertain Times (co-edited with Á. Révész. D. Freeman and S. Langendonk) - was published by Bristol University Press in 2025.