David Blunkett is Professor of Politics in Practice in the Department of Politics and Chair of the Board of the Crick Centre.
Professor Blunkett first joined the University as a mature student in 1969, where he studied Political Theory and Institutions, and was tutored by Sir Bernard Crick. He served as the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside between 1987 and May 2010, and then as the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough between May 2010 and May 2015. During this time Professor Blunkett held a number of Cabinet positions, including Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Professor Blunkett received a peerage in the 2015 Dissolution Honours List, and joined the House of Lords in September 2015.