Sam Hartley
Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission
Sam is the Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement. He leads the Commission’s work to understand and analyse the challenges to well-run elections and referendums in the UK, and the Commission's extensive programme of voter education and engagement.
This includes:
our comprehensive reports on elections and referendums
our wide-ranging research programme on electoral registration and participation
our detailed analysis of policy and legislation proposed by the UK’s governments
leading the programme of work with schools, and other civic bodies and partners, to deliver education and resources about engaging in the democratic process
Sam joined the Commission in 2025, having previously established and led the statutory public inquiry into the Omagh bombing. He had previously also been Director of Policy, Research and Analysis and Deputy Secretary at the UK Covid-19 public inquiry.
Sam has a background in senior leadership in the public sector, having led arm's length bodies in the constitutional and transport fields. He has held other senior roles in healthcare and constitutional regulators, as well as in the Cabinet Office. Sam is a board member of both the Boundary Commission for Wales and the Association of Chief Executives.
11:45–12:45
Main Plenary
Speakers:
Sir John Curtice, British political scientist and professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde
Sam Hartley, Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission
