Problem Solver
Dr Backhouse works with companies, nonprofits and governments tackling complex leadership and multi-stakeholder problems. He is an associate with firms such as Northstar Transition, The Now Work and Building20. Corporate clients include fin-tech and sustainability start-ups, management consultancies, and business design studios. Non-profit clients range from small-scale food bank and health communication charities, to multinational relief agencies and anti-human trafficking NGOs. Government clients include the civil service and commissioned work for parties on all points of the political spectrum.
Stephen often works with people and groups, helping them navigate our increasingly polarised world of populism and religious nationalism. His approach is individually tailored and varies according to the context. For more information, contact Stephen HERE.
Power Thinker
Stephen is an internationally recognised expert in the philosophy of power and an authority on the political thought of Søren Kierkegaard, whose writings envisioned healthy personal authenticity in the face of group dynamics and challenging cultures. Stephen uses these insights in his work. He has designed and delivered university graduate degree courses and regularly runs workshops and seminars in the profit and not-for-profit sectors.
Stephen holds multiple degrees from Mcgill and Oxford University. His published doctoral thesis focused on critiquing populism and religious nationalism. He has published widely and often undertakes writing commissions for universities, research firms, and think-tanks. Prior academic positions include Director of Graduates and Dean of Studies.
Public Communicator
As a commentator and researcher, Stephen writes about politics, religion, philosophy, and history. Stephen has hosted, produced and consulted for numerous podcasts, including Tent Talks and Overshoot (both the Times and Guardian newspaper's "pick of the week"). He is an expert facilitator, teacher and public speaker and has communicated to thousands of people in groups large and small.
Originally from Canada, Stephen now resides in the United Kingdom, where he loves nothing more than to walk over hills and under trees in the Sussex Downs.
