Richard Bourke (born 1965) is a UK-based Irish academic specialising in the history of political ideas.
His work spans ancient and modern thought, and is associated with the application of the historical method to political theory.
He is Professor of the History of Political Thought at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
He was formerly Professor of the History of Political Thought and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of the History of Political Thought at Queen Mary, University of London.
In July 2018 Bourke was elected Fellow of the British Academy (FBA).