Phil Haynes is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at the University of Brighton. His research interests include: complexity theory and its application to the applied social sciences, configurative case based methods, and the evaluation of public policy, social policy and public management. His research has been funded by the ESRC, NIHR, government depts, local authorities and non government organisations.  

In the last decade, Phil has researched and developed the innovative longitudinal case based method: Dynamic Pattern Synthesis (DPS). This is designed for comparing changes in small groups of cases over time. For example, comparing the trajectories of countries, regions or local authorities. The aim of the method is to maximise the understanding of data complexity in longitudinal quantitative research. The next research phase is to develop the method for larger samples.  The theoretical basis of the method is grounded in complexity theory and explained in the 2018 book: Social Synthesis: Finding Dynamic Patterns in Complex Social Systems ( Routledge). The most recent updates to the DPS method are published as an e book (open access) at White Horse publications.

Phil continues to supervise postgraduate students, and previously taught quantitative methods to undergraduates. He was previously at the forefront of developments in blended learning with online technology and a co-author of the widely cited 2006 book: Online learning and teaching in higher education (McGraw-Hill Education). He was also involved in innovating in the piloting of teaching Social Network Analysis software with MS Excel.

Phil is currently supervising a number of continuing research students who he started supervising before his retirement in 2024. He is unable to commence supervision with new research students in 2024-25.