Mark Thatcher

Mark Thatcher is full professor of Public Policy in the Department of Political Science. He is also director of the Master’s in Policies and Governance in Europe (PAGE) and co-director of the Master’s in European Law and Policies (MELP). 

Before coming to Luiss, he taught at the London School of Economics, where he became full Professor of Comparative and International Politics in 2008. He has also been visiting professor at Sciences Po, Paris and a Fellow of the Robert Schuman Centre, European University Institute. Previously he obtained First Class honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Balliol College, Oxford and then qualified as a Barrister in London before going to Nuffield College, Oxford, where he was awarded his doctorate. 

His research interests lie in comparative public policy and regulation in Europe. At Luiss, he is focused on comparative policies towards cultural heritage, both in countries such as England, France and Italy, and also at the EU level. He is interested in different forms of cultural heritage- from historic buildings to the protection of traditional food and wine. He sees cultural heritage as being not only linked to issues of identity and beauty but also providing important markets for economic and urban development.

In addition, he works on the governance of markets. He has examined EU competition policy as well as the creation and development of EU agencies and networks. At the national level, he has examined the establishment and role of independent regulatory agencies in European countries, especially in network industries. He has also worked on Western policies towards sovereign wealth fund investments.