Research interests James is particularly interested in mixed methods’ studies of political behavior (at both elite and mass levels). He has experience of fielding experimental surveys, conducting focus groups and elite interviews, designing and evaluating surveys for a range of research purposes, as well as quantitative textual analysis and data visualisation. James' current research projects focus on: (a) conceptions and measurements of political trust; the relationship between politicians' perceptions of public trust or distrust and their representative behaviours (such as policy-making); and the impact of a low-trust/high-distrust environment on politicians' mental health and wellbeing; and (b) the potential for civic education in myriad forms to improve young people’s political efficacy, knowledge and participation; the role of civic education as an adjunct to voting age reform; and elite contestations surrounding civic education as a highly symbolic policy topic.