We are a thriving space for study, research and public engagement with a strong focus on applied politics. We are also globally recognised for our work in European politics and on international intervention. With a strong emphasis on student-led sessions, our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes provide a solid base for knowledge, research-focused projects and work placements and the opportunity to develop policy-relevant research activities within a government or non-governmental institutions. With three flagship postgraduate programmes (International Relations, International Intervention, and Public Affairs) we equip students with the right skills to develop a strong career pathway in the public and private sectors.

We are a leading centre for research in European and British politics and in the area of international security and intervention. We also investigate international politics and policy, on people and power, as well as on institutions, theories and processes. Our Centre for Britain and Europe and Centre for International Intervention are well-established research centres which are recognised globally for their outputs and expertise.

We have three research clusters:

1. European politics

We research European foreign and security policy, the role of the EU as an international actor, European integration theories, European equality policies and social policy, regionalism studies, area studies, environmental policy and opposition to the EU.

2. Government and opposition

We specialise in electoral behaviour, party politics and party patronage, campaigns and elections, and citizens’ impressions of parties and their leaders. We also research social movements, opposition and resistance, populism and radicalisation, and social media. Our research is grounded in cutting edge theoretical and methodological debates in social/political theory, gender theories and public opinion analysis.

3. Security and conflict

We focus on cross-cutting issues in security studies, including humanitarianism, post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building, foreign and defence policy, technological change and intervention, normative theory and intervention and non-state armed groups.