
Yr Athro Gordon Cumming
Athro
- cumming@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5590
- 1.47, 66a Plas y Parc, Cathays, Caerdydd, CF10 3AS
- Sylwebydd y cyfryngau
- Ar gael fel goruchwyliwr ôl-raddedig
Trosolwg
My research interests focus on British, French and European foreign and development policies towards sub-Saharan Africa. They include a particular focus on policies to promote democracy and good governance as well as on the growing role of Northern Non-Governmental Organisations south of the Sahara.
Bywgraffiad
I have held major administrative roles including Head of French, Chair of the Resources Committee and adviser on the Teaching Quality Assessment exercises. I currently have the following duties:
- Socrates representative for BA students
- Socrates representative for incoming French students
- Assistantships coordinator (second semester)
- Second year translation coordinator
- Library representative
- French representative on Resources Committee
- University Accreditations sub-Committee
- University Programme Approval Panel
- EGIPP- member of steering committee
Career profile
Having graduated in 1988 with a First Class Honours in French Language and Literature at Glasgow University, I joined the Foreign and Commonwealth as a graduate entrant. In this capacity, I worked in Africa Research Department and was assistant desk officer in Southern African Department. I also worked as a negotiator and rapporteur on the Economic and Financial Committee at the United Nations in New York.
I left the Foreign Office and worked in Barclays Bank as a special entrant on the Management Development Programme. I was trained primarily in risk assessment and was responsible for evaluating large corporate loans.
In 1992, I joined Cardiff University as a lecturer in French and am now a senior lecturer. In this role, I have held a number of positions of responsibility, including Head of French, year abroad coordinator, and Chair of the Library, IT and Equipment Committee. I am also the School representaive on the University Accreditations Sub-Committee and the teaching quality Progress Appraisal Panel.
Awards and prizes
In 2002, I secured approximately £13,000 for the School in research funding while undertaking a research management role in the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. In this capacity, I oversaw a £1 million research budget which focused on crime prevention, security and economic development issues.
In 2003, I was awarded a grant of nearly £17,000 from the Leverhulme Trust to undertake research into French NGOs.
Aelodaethau proffesiynol
- Visiting fellow at l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques (‘Sciences-Po’) in Bordeaux
- Leverhulme Fellowship 2003-04
- External Examiner for French section, Kingston University
- Active member of Boston & Portsmouth University Francophone Africa Groups
- Regularly invited to meetings of BISA IR, Global Development Working Group and Algeria Working Group
- Regular liaison with Research & Analysis Department of Foreign Office and Development Assistance Committee (OECD)
- Founding member of the Cardiff University European Governance, Identity and Public Policy (EGIPP) Research group (Cardiff University)
- Chair of numerous conference sessions for Association of Modern and Contemporary France
Cyhoeddiadau
2022
- Cumming, G., Van Der Velde, R. and Chafer, T. 2022. Understanding the public response: a strategic narrative perspective on France’s Sahelian operations. European Security 31(4), pp. 617-638. (10.1080/09662839.2022.2038568)
2020
- Chafer, T., Cumming, G. D. and van der Velde, R. 2020. France's interventions in Mali and the Sahel: a historical institutionalist perspective. In: Recchia, S. and Tardy, T. eds. French Interventions in Africa: Reluctant Multilateralism. Abingdon and New York: Routledge
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2020. France in the Sahel: a case of the reluctant multilateralist. The Conversation
- Chafer, T., Cumming, G. D. and van der Velde, R. 2020. France’s interventions in Mali and the Sahel: a historical institutionalist perspective. Journal of Strategic Studies 43(4), pp. 482-507. (10.1080/01402390.2020.1733987)
2018
- Cumming, G. D. 2018. Towards an enhanced understanding of aid policy reform: learning from the French case. Public Administration and Development 38(5), pp. 179-189. (10.1002/pad.1842)
2017
- Cumming, G. D. 2017. Transforming French aid and the AFD: the Severino years. Presented at: AFD Conference: 75 Years, Paris, France, 30 November 2017.
- Cumming, G. D. 2017. La transformation de l'AFD et de l'aide française au cours des années Severino: vers une nouvelle compréhension des réformes de politiques publiques. In: Geraud, G. ed. Actes du Colloque d'histoire: De 1941 à 2016: 75 ans d'engagement - L'Agence, ses origines, ses partenaires et ses terrains d'action. Agence française de développement, pp. 654-676.
- Cumming, G. D. 2017. A prototypical case in the making? Challenging comparative perspectives on French aid. European Journal of Development Research 29(1), pp. 19-36. (10.1057/ejdr.2015.62)
2016
- Cumming, G. 2016. The EU in Sudan: a missed opportunity?. In: Torrent, M. and Roiron, V. eds. The Commonwealth and the European Union in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities in International Relations. Routledge
- Cumming, G. D. 2016. Europeanisation through the prism of regime complexity: the case of French aid. European Politics and Society 17(1), pp. 12-27. (10.1080/23745118.2015.1075763)
- Cumming, G. 2016. French Aid through the comparative looking glass: a representative, deviant, or agenda-setting case?. In: Elgie, R., Grossman, E. and Mazur, A. eds. The Oxford handbook of French politics. Oxford Handbooks Oxford University Press
2015
- Cumming, G. D. 2015. The European Union in Sudan: a missed opportunity?. Round Table 104(4), pp. 473-488. (10.1080/00358533.2015.1063842)
- Cumming, G. 2015. The Europeanisation of French aid through the prism of regime complexity. [Video]. Cardiff: Cardiff University School of Modern Languages.
2014
- Cumming, G. 2014. Europeanisation through the prism of regime complexity. [Video]. Cardiff: Cardiff University School of Modern Languages. Available at: https://hml.cardiff.ac.uk/Play/5524
2013
- Bossuat, G. and Cumming, G. D. eds. 2013. France, Europe and development aid: from the Treaties of Rome to the present day. Histoire économique et financière - XIXe-XXe. Paris: Institut de la gestion publique et du développement économique, Comité pour l’histoire économique et financière de la France.
- Cumming, G. 2013. UK-European community aid relations over the Lomé years: reciprocal influences or a dialogue de sourds?. In: Bossuat, G. and Cumming, G. eds. France, Europe and Development Aid: from the Treaties of Rome to the present day. Histoire économique et financière - XIXe-XXe. Institut de la gestion publique et du développement économique, Comité pour l’histoire économique et financière de la France, pp. 61-79.
- Cumming, G. D. 2013. Nicolas Sarkozy's Africa policy: Change, continuity or confusion?. French Politics 11(1), pp. 24-47. (10.1057/fp.2012.24)
- Cumming, G. D. 2013. The United Kingdom over the Lomé years: a constructive partner in Europe?. Revue Francaise de Civilisation Britannique 18(1), pp. 147-165.
2011
- Cumming, G. D. and Chafer, T. 2011. From rivalry to partnership? Critical reflections on Anglo-French cooperation in Africa. Review of International Studies 37(5), pp. 2439-2463. (10.1017/S0260210511000027)
- Cumming, G. D. 2011. Burying the hatchet? Britain and France in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Journal of Modern African Studies 49(4), pp. 547-573. (10.1017/S0022278X11000474)
- Cumming, G. D. 2011. The UK and France in the DRC: making their own peace. In: Cumming, G. and Chafer, T. eds. From Rivalry to Partnership? New Approaches to the Challenges of Africa. Ashgate, pp. 139-158.
- Cumming, G. D. 2011. Good intentions are not enough: French NGO efforts at democracy building in Cameroon. Development in Practice 21(2), pp. 218-231. (10.1080/09614524.2011.543275)
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds. 2011. From rivalry to partnership: New approaches to the challenges of Africa. Farnham: Ashgate.
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2011. Introduction. In: Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds. From Rivalry to Partnership: New Approaches to the Challenges of Africa. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 3-12.
- Cumming, G. D. 2011. Britain and France in Africa since Saint Malo: towards an uneasy partnership?. In: Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds. From Rivalry to Partnership: New Approaches to the Challenges of Africa. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 55-72.
- Cumming, G. D., Chafer, T. and Callan, T. 2011. Conclusion: From rivalry to partnership?. In: Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds. From Rivalry to Partnership: New Approaches to the Challenges of Africa. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 207-216.
2010
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2010. La coopération franco-britannique en Afrique: une façon de renforcer ou de contourner l'UE?. Presented at: La coopération franco-britannique en Afrique: une façon de renforcer ou de contourner l'UE?, Brussels, Belgium, 26 November 2010 Presented at Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds.
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2010. La coopération entre la France et le Royaume-Uni en Afrique: Des capacités sous-utilisées. Presented at: La coopération entre la France et le Royaume-Uni en Afrique : Des capacités sous-utilisées, Paris, France, 3 November 2010 Presented at Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. eds.
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2010. Beyond Fashoda: Anglo-French security cooperation in Africa since Saint-Malo. International Affairs 86(5), pp. 1129-1147. (10.1111/j.1468-2346.2010.00932.x)
- Cumming, G. D. 2010. Les ONG françaises dans l’après-guerre froide: les nouveaux 'diplomates du développement'? (French NGOs in the Post Cold War Era: from autonomous actors to "Government-Paid Development Diplomats"?). Politique Américaine(17), pp. 49-64.
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2010. Cinquante ans de politique africaine de la France: Un point de vue britannique. Afrique Contemporaine 235(3), pp. 53-62. (10.3917/afco.235.0053)
- Chafer, T. and Cumming, G. D. 2010. La coopération entre la France et le Royaume-Uni en Afrique: Des capacités sous-utilisées. Afrique Contemporaine 236(4), pp. 130-132. (10.3917/afco.236.0130)
2009
- Cumming, G. D. 2009. French NGOs and the state: Paving the way for a new partnership?. French Politics 7(2), pp. 145-166. (10.1057/fp.2009.11)
2008
- Cumming, G. D. 2008. French NGOs in the Global Era: Professionalization 'Without Borders'?. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 19(4), pp. 372-394. (10.1007/s11266-008-9069-5)
- Cumming, G. D. 2008. French NGOs in the global era: a distinctive role in international development. French Politics, Society and Culture. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
2007
- Cumming, G. D. 2007. Promoting Democracy in Cameroon: A Revolutionary French Approach?. International Journal of Francophone Studies 10(1-2), pp. 105-119. (10.1386/ijfs.10.1and2.105_1)
2006
- Cumming, G. D. 2006. Exporting the republican model? A critique of France's historic mission in Africa. In: Cole, A. and Raymond, G. eds. Redefining the French Republic. Manchester University Press, pp. 156-174.
2005
- Cumming, G. D. 2005. Transposing the 'Republican' Model? A Critical Appraisal of France's Historic Mission in Africa. Journal of Contemporary African Studies 23(2), pp. 233-252. (10.1080/02589000500175984)
- Cumming, G. D. 2005. French NGOs in the global era: Getting better at doing good. Modern and Contemporary France 13(1), pp. 99-102. (10.1080/0963948052000341259)
- Cumming, G. D. 2005. From realpolitik to the third way: British African policy in the new world order. In: Engel, U. and Olsen, G. eds. Africa And The North: Between Globalization And Marginalization. New International Relations Routledge, pp. 55-73.
2004
- Cumming, G. D. 2004. UK African Policy in the Post Cold War Era: From Realpolitik to Moralpolitik?. Journal of Comparative and Commonwealth Politics 42(1), pp. 106-128. (10.1080/14662040408565570)
2003
- Cumming, G. D. 2003. Commonwealth and Francophone summits: Towards a new sense of purpose?. Journal of Contemporary European Studies 11(2), pp. 201-213. (10.1080/1460846032000164627)
- Cumming, G. D. 2003. The Brazzaville conference of 1944: the dream of a greater French Republic. In: Gorrara, C. and Langford, R. eds. France Since the Revolution: Textes and Contexts. London: Edward Arnold, pp. 94-107.
2001
- Cumming, G. D. 2001. Aid to Africa: French and British policies from the cold war to the new millennium. Aldershot: Ashgate.
2000
- Cumming, G. D. 2000. Modernisation without "banalisation": Towards a new era in French African aid relations?. Modern and Contemporary France 8(3), pp. 359-370. (10.1080/09639480050057365)
1996
- Cumming, G. D. 1996. Rethinking French development assistance to Africa. Modern and Contemporary France 4(4), pp. 503-506. (10.1080/09639489608456339)
- Cumming, G. D. 1996. French aid to Africa: a changing agenda?. In: Chafer, T. and Jenkins, B. eds. France: From the Cold War to the New World Order. Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, pp. 126-136.
1995
- Cumming, G. D. 1995. French development assistance to Africa: towards a new agenda?. African Affairs 94, pp. 383-398.
- Cumming, G. D. 1995. Political review of the year (September 1993‐August 1994). From Blair House to the Elysée Palace. Modern and Contemporary France 3(2), pp. 184-187. (10.1080/09639489508456235)
Addysgu
I have developed the following courses: France and Africa; Business French (which prepares students for the new Paris Chamber of Commerce examination), second year translation course (revamped with translation workshops and computer-assisted learning programmes).
I have also prepared a lecture course on French and British African policies for Bordeaux IEP (Jan-Feb 2003); developed a series of lectures on British foreign policy for Bordeaux (Jan-Feb 2005) and offered a France and Africa option on the MA in European Studies (both the IR and the European Studies’ pathways).
I have, moreover, helped to oversee the development of the LLM: a Masters degree in Law and French (Marie-Laure Jones as coordinator); Modern France: lecture and seminar course for Cardiff-Bordeaux students; and both CAN-8 and Blackboard (electronic teaching resources). I have put all of my courses (as well as all year abroad documentation) on Blackboard.