Professor Clifford Stott MBE delivers the 52nd Wade lecture
The 52nd Wade Lecture welcomed Professor Clifford Stott MBE to the Wade Conference Centre on 6 October 2022.
Professor Stott, Professor of Social Psychology at Keele University, brought extensive expertise in crowd psychology, policing, collective behaviour and public safety to the annual lecture.
His career has focused on understanding how people behave in crowds, how conflict can develop between groups and how policing strategies can influence public cooperation and safety.
Understanding Crowd Psychology
Professor Stott’s research examines the psychology behind crowds and collective behaviour, particularly during large public gatherings, protests, emergencies and other situations where relationships between groups can become complex.
His work draws on theories of social identity, intergroup interaction, procedural justice and police legitimacy to better understand why crowds behave as they do.
Rather than viewing crowds simply as unpredictable or disorderly, his research has helped demonstrate the importance of understanding group identities and the way interactions with authorities can shape behaviour.
These insights have had practical applications in policing, public safety and the management of major events.
Research with an impact on Public Policy
At the time of the lecture, Professor Stott was Professor of Social Psychology at Keele University, Director of the Keele Policing Academic Collaboration and Dean for Research in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
His research has received significant recognition for its impact beyond academia.
In 2014, he received the Economic and Social Research Council’s First Prize for Outstanding Impact on Public Policy. The following year, the ESRC recognised his research as one of its 50 Landmark Research achievements during its first 50 years.
These awards reflected the influence his work has had on approaches to crowd management, policing and public policy.
Supporting the UK’s response to COVID-19
Professor Stott also played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He participated in the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies behavioural science sub-committee, SPI-B, contributing expertise on behaviour and public responses during the pandemic.
He also served as co-Chair of the SAGE Security and Policing sub-group.
In 2021, Professor Stott was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his contributions to crowd psychology and the COVID-19 response.
An insightful 52nd Wade lecture
The lecture provided guests with an opportunity to hear from a leading researcher whose work has combined academic theory with practical applications in policing, emergency planning and public safety.
Professor Stott’s career demonstrated how social psychology can help authorities better understand collective behaviour and develop approaches that encourage cooperation, legitimacy and safer outcomes.
The Wade Charitable Foundation was delighted to welcome Professor Clifford Stott MBE for the 52nd Wade Lecture and to provide another thought-provoking event exploring issues with relevance to both professionals and the wider public.