Senior Lecturer
Communications, Media and Culture University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Will Dinan is a senior lecturer the Division of Communication, Media and Culture in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at the University of Stirling. His research interests include political communication and public affairs, environmental communication and civil society advocacy. His PhD thesis examined lobbying, political communication and Scottish devolution. Will was a founder and steering committee member of ALTER EU, a co-founder of Public Interest Investigations and has been involved in researching and campaigning on lobbying transparency for over a decade. He has conducted research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the OECD, the Scottish Parliament, Oxfam and his knowledge exchange work has been supported by a variety of UK and EU foundations.
Political Communication; Lobbying; Civil Society; Environmental Communications; Think Tanks; Public Affairs & Advocacy; Governance; Journalism
Cleared for take-off? Aviation industry advocacy in Europe 2020 - 2024
PI: Dr William Dinan
Funded by: Sequoia Climate Foundation
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Article
Climate dissociations: Trade associations, energy policy and climate communications in Europe
Dinan W, Esteves V, Harkins S & Hills S (2025) Climate dissociations: Trade associations, energy policy and climate communications in Europe. Goutte S (Editor) PLOS Climate, 4 (1), Art. No.: e0000467. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000467
Book Chapter
Climate Obstruction in Scotland: the politics of oil and gas
Dinan W, Esteves V & Harkins S (2024) Climate Obstruction in Scotland: the politics of oil and gas. In: Brulle RJ, Roberts JT & Spencer MC (eds.) Climate Obstruction Across Europe. New York, NY 10016, United States of America: OUP, pp. 57 - 79. https://cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Climate-Obstruction-in-Europe.pdf
Book Chapter
Online climate denialism: Eco-systems and echo chambers
Dinan W, Bernardi C, Esteves V & Harkins S (2022) Online climate denialism: Eco-systems and echo chambers. In: Hansen A & Cox R (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Environment and Communication. 2nd Edition ed. London: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Environment-and-Communication/Hansen-Cox/p/book/9780367634483
Letter
de Boer J, Llompart M, Massey R, Dinan W, Clapp R & Watterson A (2021) Letter to the Editor of Risk Analysis on the de Vries et al. Article (2021) on the Role of the Media in Communicating About Risks Linked to Crumb Rubber. Refers to: de Vries, Marion, Claassen, Liesbeth, Te Wierik, Margreet, Das,Enny, Mennen, Marcel, Timen, Aura, & Timmermans, Danielle(2021). The role of the media in the amplification of a contestedhealth risk: Rubber granulate on sport fields.Risk Analysis.https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13731; Epub ahead of print May 6,2021. PMID: 33955574. Risk Analysis, 41 (12), pp. 2179-2182. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13821
Article
Lobbying Transparency: The Limits of EU Monitory Democracy
Dinan W (2021) Lobbying Transparency: The Limits of EU Monitory Democracy. Politics and Governance, 9 (1), pp. 237-247. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v9i1.3936
Website Content
Lagging and flagging - shale gas, air pollution and UK government policy
Watterson A & Dinan W (2020) Lagging and flagging - shale gas, air pollution and UK government policy. University of Stirling Public Policy Blog [Blog post] 14.07.2020. https://policyblog.stir.ac.uk/2020/07/14/lagging-and-flagging-shale-gas-air-pollution-and-uk-government-policy/
Commentary
Watterson A & Dinan W (2020) Lagging and Flagging: Air Pollution, Shale Gas Exploration and the Interaction of Policy, Science, Ethics and Environmental Justice in England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (12), Art. No.: 4320. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124320
Article
Watterson A & Dinan W (2018) Public health and unconventional oil and gas extraction including fracking: Global lessons from a Scottish government review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (4), Art. No.: 675. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040675
Newspaper Article
Why PR agencies and their spin should be the subject of greater scrutiny
Dinan W (2017) Why PR agencies and their spin should be the subject of greater scrutiny. The Conversation. 27.10.2017. https://theconversation.com/why-pr-agencies-and-their-spin-should-be-the-subject-of-greater-scrutiny-83657
Article
Watterson A & Dinan W (2017) The U.K.'s "Dash for Gas" A Rapid Evidence Assessment of Fracking for Shale Gas, Regulation and Public Health. New Solutions, 27 (1), pp. 68-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291117698175
Book Chapter
Digging Deeper: big data, elites and investigative research
Miller D & Dinan W (2016) Digging Deeper: big data, elites and investigative research. In: McKie L & Ryan L (eds.) An End to the Crisis of Empirical Sociology? Trends and challenges in social research. Sociological Futures (BSA). London: Routledge, pp. 49-64. https://www.routledge.com/products/9781138828674
Newspaper Article
Fattened pigs, dog whistles and dead cats: the menagerie of a Lynton Crosby campaign
Dinan W (2016) Fattened pigs, dog whistles and dead cats: the menagerie of a Lynton Crosby campaign. The Conversation. 16.06.2016. https://theconversation.com/fattened-pigs-dog-whistles-and-dead-cats-the-menagerie-of-a-lynton-crosby-campaign-60695
Working Paper
Time to chill? Lessons on lobbying transparency and participation
Dinan W & Elliott M (2016) Time to chill? Lessons on lobbying transparency and participation.
Article
Watterson A & Dinan W (2016) Health Impact Assessments, Regulation, and the Unconventional Gas Industry in the UK: Exploiting Resources, Ideology, and Expertise?. New Solutions, 25 (4), pp. 480-512. https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291115615074
Book Chapter
Dinan W & Miller D (2015) Resisting meaningful action on climate change: Think tanks, 'merchants of doubt' and the 'corporate capture' of sustainable development. In: Hansen A & Cox R (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Environment and Communication. London: Routledge, pp. 86-99. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415704359/
Newspaper Article
Why a US battle over corporate hijacking of science matters in Europe
Dinan W (2015) Why a US battle over corporate hijacking of science matters in Europe. The Conversation. 06.02.2015. https://theconversation.com/why-a-us-battle-over-corporate-hijacking-of-science-matters-in-europe-37296
Other
Oral Evidence to Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Dinan W (2014) Oral Evidence to Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9398&mode=pdf
Other
Response to Committee on Standards in Public Life inquiry on Lobbying
Dinan W & Miller D (2013) Response to Committee on Standards in Public Life inquiry on Lobbying. London: Committee on Standards in Public Life. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407527/Lobbying_P-Z.pdf
Other
Business Appointment Rules: Written evidence (BA 04) Public Administration Select Committee
Miller D, Dinan W, Cave T & Jones M (2012) Business Appointment Rules: Written evidence (BA 04) Public Administration Select Committee. London: House of Commons. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmpubadm/writev/businessapp/ba04.htm
Other
Response to consultation on a Scottish lobbying register
Dinan W & Miller D (2012) Response to consultation on a Scottish lobbying register. Edinburgh.
Article
Dinan W & Miller D (2012) Sledgehammers, nuts and rotten apples: reassessing the case for lobbying self-regulation in the United Kingdom. Interest Groups and Advocacy, 1 (1), pp. 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1057/iga.2012.5
Research Report
Dinan W, Spence K & Hutchinson H (2012) Imperfect Information: Experiences and Perceptions of the use of Freedom of Information in the Scottish voluntary sector. Scottish Information Commissioner. Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/SICResources/voluntarysectorresearch.aspx
Article
Healthy Tensions? Assessing FOI uptake in the voluntary sector in Scotland
Spence K & Dinan W (2011) Healthy Tensions? Assessing FOI uptake in the voluntary sector in Scotland. Information Polity, 16 (2), pp. 97-109. https://doi.org/10.3233/IP-2011-0228
Edited Book
Bursting the Brussels Bubble: the battle to expose corporate lobbying at the heart of the EU
Burley H, Dinan W, Haar K, Hoedeman O & Wesselius E (eds.) (2010) Bursting the Brussels Bubble: the battle to expose corporate lobbying at the heart of the EU. Brussels, Belgium: ALTER-EU. http://alter-eu.org/fr/book/bursting-the-brussels-bubble
Book Chapter
The Battle for Lobbying Transparency
Dinan W (2010) The Battle for Lobbying Transparency. In: Burley H, Dinan W W, Haar K, Hoedeman O & Wesselius E (eds.) Bursting the Brussels Bubble. Brussels: ALTER EU, pp. 139-147. http://www.alter-eu.org/sites/default/files/documents/bursting-the-brussels-bubble.pdf
Book Chapter
Dinan W & Wesselius E (2010) Brussels: a lobbying paradise. In: Burley H, Dinan W W, Haar K, Hoedeman O & Wesselius E (eds.) Bursting the Brussels Bubble: the battle to expose corporate lobbying at the heart of the EU. Brussels, Belgium: ALTER EU, pp. 23-32. http://www.alter-eu.org/sites/default/files/documents/bursting-the-brussels-bubble.pdf
Book Chapter
Miller D & Dinan W (2010) Introduction. In: Klaehn J (ed.) The Political Economy of Media and Power. New York: Peter Lang, pp. 1-5. http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?event=cmp.ccc.seitenstruktur.detailseiten&seitentyp=produkt&pk=54149
Book Chapter
Journalism, Public Relations, and Spin
Dinan W & Miller D (2009) Journalism, Public Relations, and Spin. In: Wahl-Jorgensen K & Hanitzsch T (eds.) Handbook of Journalism Studies. ICA Handbook Series. London: Routledge, pp. 250-264. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780805863420/
Other
Oral Evidence to Public Administration Select Committee inquiry on Lobbying (Minutes of Evidence)
Dinan W, Miller D & Facey P (2009) Oral Evidence to Public Administration Select Committee inquiry on Lobbying (Minutes of Evidence) [Public Administration Committee - Minutes of Evidence]. London: House Of Commons. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/36/8012401.htm
Research Report
Miller D & Dinan W (2009) Revolving Doors, Accountability and Transparency - Emerging Regulatory Concerns and Policy Solutions in the Financial Crisis. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) GOV/PGC/ETH(2009)2. OECD. http://www.dmiller.info/images/docs/OECD_revolving%20door-2009.pdf
Conference Paper (published)
Dinan W & Miller D (2008) Transparency in EU Decision Making, Holding Corporations to Account: Why the ETI Needs Mandatory Lobbying Disclosure. In: Corruption and democracy: Political finances - conflicts of interest - lobbying - justice. 28. Corruption and democracy: Political finances - conflicts of interest - lobbying - justice, Strasbourg, 20.11.2006-21.11.2006. Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe, pp. 155-160. http://www.dmiller.info/images/docs/miller%20dinan%20-%20transparency%20in%20eu%20decision%20making%202008.pdf
Book Review
The Mediation of Power: a critical introduction
Dinan W (2008) The Mediation of Power: a critical introduction. Review of: The Mediation of Power: A Critical Introduction, Aeron Davis, London: Routledge, 2007, 218pp. ISBN 987 0 415 40491 4. Global Media and Communication, 4 (3), pp. 357-359. https://doi.org/10.1177/17427665080040030802
Other
Response to Public Administration Select Committee inquiry on Lobbying
Dinan W & Miller D (2008) Response to Public Administration Select Committee inquiry on Lobbying. London: House of Commons. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/36/36ii.pdf
Authored Book
A Century of Spin: how public relations became the cutting edge of corporate power
Miller D & Dinan W (2008) A Century of Spin: how public relations became the cutting edge of corporate power. London: Pluto Press. http://www.plutobooks.com/display.asp?K=9780745326887&
Article
Corridors of Power: Lobbying in the UK
Miller D & Dinan W (2008) Corridors of Power: Lobbying in the UK [Les Coulisses du Pouvoir]. Observatoire de la Societe Britannique, 6 (2008), pp. 25-45. http://osb.revues.org/409; https://doi.org/10.4000/osb.409
Edited Book
Thinker, Faker, Spinner, Spy: Corporate PR and the Assualt on Democracy
Miller D & Dinan W (eds.) (2007) Thinker, Faker, Spinner, Spy: Corporate PR and the Assualt on Democracy. London: Pluto Press. http://www.plutobooks.com/display.asp?K=9780745324449&
Article
Learning Lessons? The Registration of Lobbyists at the Scottish Parliament: A reply to Coldwell
Dinan W (2006) Learning Lessons? The Registration of Lobbyists at the Scottish Parliament: A reply to Coldwell. Journal of Communication Management, 10 (1), pp. 55-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/13632540610646373
Book Chapter
Dinan W & Miller D (2006) 'Transparency in the EU Decision Making, Holding Corporations to Account: Why the ETI needs mandatory Lobbying Disclosure. In: Spencer T & McGrath C (eds.) Challenge and Response: Essays on Public Affairs and Transparency. Brussels: Landmarks Publishing, pp. 25-32.
Research Report
Cooper C, Dinan W, Kane T, Miller D & Russell S (2006) Scottish Water: The Drift To Privatisation and How Democratisation Could Improve Efficiency and Lower Costs. STUC. http://www.stuc.org.uk/files/e-brief%20nov%202006/Waterreportfinal.pdf
Other
Oral Evidence to the European Parliament hearing on the European Transparency Initiative (ETI)
Dinan W (2006) Oral Evidence to the European Parliament hearing on the European Transparency Initiative (ETI).
Article
Policy responses to crisis: the case of the UK firefighters’ dispute
Dinan W, Ford A, McConnell A & Pyper R (2006) Policy responses to crisis: the case of the UK firefighters’ dispute. Policy and Politics, 34 (2), pp. 307-323. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557306776315804
Book Review
New Activism and the Corporate Response
Dinan W (2005) New Activism and the Corporate Response. Review of:
edited by Steve John and Stuart Thomson, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003, 336pp. ISBN 978-1403903112. Political Studies Review, 3 (1), pp. 152-153. http://www.stuartthomson.co.uk/books/new/studies/
Research Report
Dinan W, Miller D, Watterson A & Malcolm C (2003) Openness in Scottish Water: A review of consultation, customer relations and communications in the Scottish Water Industry. WCCPS.
Book Chapter
Global Public Relations and Global Capitalism
Miller D & Dinan W (2003) Global Public Relations and Global Capitalism. In: Demers D D (ed.) Terrorism, Globalization and Mass Communication: Papers Presented at the 2002 Center for Global Media Studies Conference. Spokane: Marquette Books, pp. 193-214. http://www.marquettebooks.com/globalmediabooks/terrorismglobalization.html
Book Chapter
Closed Scotland? Lobbying at Holyrood
Schlesinger P, Dinan W & Miller D (2002) Closed Scotland? Lobbying at Holyrood. In: Hassan G & Warhurst C (eds.) Anatomy of the New Scotland: Power, Influence and Change. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishers, pp. 65-74.
Article
Doing the Business? The Newspaper Reporting of the Business of Football
Boyle R, Dinan W & Morrow S (2002) Doing the Business? The Newspaper Reporting of the Business of Football. Journalism, 3 (2), pp. 161-181. https://doi.org/10.1177/146488490200300202
Authored Book
Open Scotland? Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists
Schlesinger P, Miller D & Dinan W (2001) Open Scotland? Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists. Edinburgh: Polygon. http://www.euppublishing.com/book/9781902930282
Research Report
Scottish Parliament Communications Audit
Dinan W, Schlesinger P, Miller D, Hibberd M & Boyle R (2001) Scottish Parliament Communications Audit.
Book Chapter
Dinan W, Scammell M & Harrup M (2001) The Scottish Media [The Press Disarmed]. In: Butler D & Kavanagh D (eds.) The British General Election of 2001. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/the-british-general-election-of-2001-david-butler/?K=9780333740323
Other
Dinan W & Schlesinger P (2001) Oral evidence on behalf of the Stirling Media Research Institute to the Standards Committee of the Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament Official Report. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=3501
Article
The rise of the PR industry in Britain, 1979-98
Miller D & Dinan W (2000) The rise of the PR industry in Britain, 1979-98. European Journal of Communication, 15 (1), pp. 5-35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323100015001001
Article
Love and Loathing: The British Public Relations Industry and its Trade Press 1
Dinan W (1999) Love and Loathing: The British Public Relations Industry and its Trade Press 1. Media Education Journal, (27), pp. 25-28.
Undergraduate courses in Public Relations and Promotional Culture; Postgraduate teaching on research methods, Political Communication & Democracy, plus specialist research placement and supervisory modules for postgraduate research students. Formerly Director of Studies, Taught Postgraduate Programmes, Faculty of Arts & Humanities; Programme Director, Strategic Public Relations & Communications Management;
