Bio
Stuart Mole is a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London. He completed his PhD at the University of Exeter in 2020 and his thesis was on the Commonwealth’s role in the international campaign against apartheid. His doctoral research forms the basis of his book published by Routledge in 2023: “The Commonwealth, South Africa and Apartheid: Race, Conflict and Reconciliation”.
Originally a college lecturer, Stuart went on to work in the UK parliament, first as a press officer and then as head of the office of David (now Lord) Steel, during his time as Leader of the Liberal Party. He has been a charity director, a parliamentary lobbyist and a speechwriter.
For sixteen years he was a Commonwealth diplomat, working in the Commonwealth Secretariat. He served in the private office of three Commonwealth Secretaries-General, latterly as Director for ten years. He then became the Director-General of the Royal Commonwealth Society for nine years, until January 2009. Since 1985, he has served on a range of Commonwealth Observer and other diplomatic missions, including in South Africa, Pakistan, Antigua & Barbuda, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and The Gambia.
A past Chair of the Editorial Board of The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, Stuart is currently the Chair of the Commonwealth Association, the body bringing together former professional staff of Commonwealth organisations. He has a BA in Politics from Nottingham University, an MSc in Politics & Sociology from Birkbeck College, London, and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education from Oxford University.
Research Interests
Stuart Mole’s research interests include the post-war Commonwealth and its development; the Commonwealth’s engagement with apartheid in South Africa (1948-1994); Democracy, elections and the Commonwealth’s fundamental values; the intergovernmental and non-governmental relationship; the role of the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Commonwealth Secretariat; and Commonwealth sport.
Publications & Reviews
Books
Stuart Mole, The Commonwealth, South Africa and Apartheid: Race, Conflict and Reconciliation (London and New York: Routledge, 2003)
Stuart Mole, From Smith to Sharma: The Role of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, in James Mayall (ed.) The Contemporary Commonwealth: An Assessment 1965-2009 (London and New York: Routledge, 2010)
Recent relevant articles
Stuart Mole (ed.), Mandela and the Commonwealth, Special Issue of “The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs” Volume 106:6 (2017)
Stuart Mole (book review) Global Citizen: grassroots activism and high diplomacy “The Round Table” September 2022
Stuart Mole, ‘Bloody Commonwealth peacemongers’: the role of the Commonwealth in South Africa’s transition from apartheid, “Commonwealth & Comparative Politics” January 2022
Stuart Mole, Desmond Tutu, apartheid and a ‘God-filled life’ “The Round Table” January 2022
Stuart Mole More than a god? The Duke of Edinburgh and the Commonwealth “The Round Table” 2021
Stuart Mole (Obituary) Remembering Patsy Robertson: A passionate and effective communicator – a voice and face of the modern Commonwealth. Published online: 22 Oct 2020
Stuart Mole (book review) Apartheid, Guns and Money: A tale of Profit “The Round Table,” April 2019
Stuart Mole (Editorial) Glasgow, the Referendum and the Commonwealth Games “The Round Table” September 2014
Reviews
Ruth Craggs (book review) The Commonwealth, South Africa and Apartheid: Race, Conflict and Reconciliation “The Round Table” July 2024