About My PHD

crossing the Floor

Why Politicians Switch Sides and Shape History…

My name is Josh Wright, and I’m a PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham, diving into the fascinating and often dramatic history of UK parliamentary defections. My work explores the intriguing stories behind why MPs switch political allegiances—and how these pivotal moments reshape British politics. Alongside my studies, I’ve honed strong cross-cultural communication skills by working full-time for an international student charity, organising community-building events that brought people together from around the world.

As a passionate podcast enthusiast who consumes hours of audio storytelling daily, I’m constantly inspired by podcasts’ power to illuminate complex political histories and spark conversations that matter. After completing my PhD, I’m eager to bring my research, storytelling skills, and infectious enthusiasm for political narratives to a career in podcast production.

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LAtest Posts

PhD Updates and Podcast Thoughts

My latest musings on my PhD research, podcast listening and other stuff…

When Recordings get Protested!

In a recent recording of Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast, three protesters were escorted off the premises for disturbing an interview with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. In a sense, there’s nothing unusual about a political live show being protested, especially not when the political guest in question has been carrying out one of the most…

Defection Thwarted? Some brief thoughts on handling a suspected switcher…

Late on the afternoon of Thursday the 15th of January, the former Conservative Party leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick joined to the Reform Party. The poach was an undeniable coup for Farage’s insurgent operation, and yet its execution was a communications car crash. For a party with a penchant for garnering press coverage, the switch of…

Trevor Noah’s been Blowing my Brain! Part 1

If you’d asked me a year ago I would have been confident in my conviction that the world doesn’t need more celebrity podcasts. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy seeing social media clips from Amy Poehler’s Good Hang as much as the next person, but in an industry that once promised a widening horizon of radio…