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James Kanagasooriam
Data Science
Demographics
Politics
Transform data into strategic advantage with James Kanagasooriam, speaker and political analytics expert. James works with organisations to leverage data-driven decision-making and political strategy, delivering pioneering insights as the originator of the "Red Wall" concept and advisor to major think tanks.
Educator
Academic
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Political Analyst
James Kanagasooriam is a distinguished expert in data analytics and political strategy, renowned for his unique blend of analytical acumen and strategic foresight. Most famously, he came up with the term and seat list the "Red Wall" in 2019.
He is Chief Research Officer of the AI-enabled research firm Focaldata, having previously co-founded Stack Data Strategy.
With a background in political science and a passion for innovation, James has been instrumental in transforming data-driven decision-making processes across various sectors, including finance, retail, and tech, where his work has earned him recognition as a thought leader in both political and business circles.
From the Scottish referendum of 2014 onwards, James has worked on almost all of the referendums and elections in the UK since, as well as multiple Federal and provincial elections in Canada, the United States, and Israel.
He is a regular contributor to the Times and Radio 4, and sits on the advisory board of centre-right think tank Onward and is a senior researcher at King’s College London.
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frequently asked questions
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Email james.kanagasooriam@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm James's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
James Kanagasooriam structures sessions around data-led political analysis, drawing on polling work conducted across UK, Canadian, US, and Israeli elections to trace shifts in public opinion — most notably his development of the Red Wall framework ahead of the 2019 general election.
James Kanagasooriam specialises in political polling, data science, and public opinion analysis, with additional work spanning demographics, behavioural science, and big data across finance, retail, and tech. He coined the term "Red Wall" in 2019 and serves as Chief Research Officer at AI-enabled research firm Focaldata, alongside a senior researcher role at King's College London and advisory board membership at think tank Onward.
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