School of Politics and International Studies - Research and Expertise

Our research

We have set out a ten year plan to investigate and understand the politics of global challenges.

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Research centres

Our centres of excellence facilitate global collaborations, interdisciplinarity and impact.

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Impact and engagement

We collaborate with a wide range of partners to produce policy-relevant, impactful research.

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Interdisciplinarity

World-leading interdisciplinary activity forms a cornerstone of our identity and is integral to our research mission.

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The Politics of Global Challenges

Our intellectual focus is on the politics of global challenges: the inherently political processes through which global challenges are created, understood, and mediated by the exercise and contestation of power in its various forms. It is through this lens that the School of Politics and International Studies and our six Research Centres pursue our respective research agendas. We promote rigorous social scientific inquiry at the heart of interdisciplinary engagements, coordinating closely with societal stakeholders at every stage of the research cycle. Our research environment thus acts as a hub to coordinate activities across the School, University and beyond.

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A world map image representing the global, collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the research carried out in the School of Politics and International Studies Research centres

Research centres

Our research activity in our core areas of expertise is driven by six interconnected centres of excellence.

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Image of a person campaigning for change Research impact

Research impact

We collaborate with a wide range of partners to produce outstanding, policy-relevant research.

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Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Intellectual leadership

Intellectual leadership

Our research contributes significantly to both the sustainability and enhancement of the wider discipline through our intellectual leadership.

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Interdisciplinarity

We have embedded interdisciplinarity in our everyday practice by establishing our research centres as hubs that develop new interdisciplinary networks beyond the social sciences.

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Our research environment

We are committed to retaining and growing a diverse and inclusive research community which integrates academic staff, post-doctoral researchers, and doctoral researchers.

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Our experts

The school brings together academics from across political, international relations, and development disciplines. Our expertise covers all the main regions of the world.

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Research projects

Find out more about research projects past and present within the School of Politics and International Studies.

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Research degrees

Join our postgraduate research community and pursue your passion with the support of our expert academics.

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News and events

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Dr Owain Williams co-authors Telegraph article on lessons learnt from Covid

Dr Owain Williams, Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations,…

Friday 17 September 2021

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Dr Viktoria Spaiser awarded Future Leaders Fellowships from UK Research and Innovation

Dr Viktoria Spaiser is one of three Leeds researchers who have been awarded a…

Wednesday 15 September 2021

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Dr Ian Shaw supports young volunteers to build urban farm

Dr Ian Shaw, Associate Professor of Global Security Challenges, has overseen…

Monday 13 September 2021

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PhD student Keya Khandaker invited to write for for E-International Relations

Keya Khandaker, School of Politics and International Studies PhD student, was…

Monday 2 August 2021

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School Seminar Series - Dictators never die: Commemoration politics in Indonesia

Join us for the School Seminar Series.

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 13:00 - 14:00

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School Seminar Series - Dropping the ‘G’ Bomb: An Analysis of ‘Gender Sensitive’ Approaches to Nuclear Policymaking

Join us for the next School Seminar Series.

Wednesday 17 November 2021, 13:00 - 14:00

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Centre for Contemporary Political Theory and Centre for Aesthetics, Moral and Political Philosophy Joint Seminar: Serena Parekh

The Centre for Contemporary Political Theory and the Centre for Aesthetics, Moral and Political Philosophy welcomes Serena Parekh (Northeastern University, Boston).

Wednesday 17 November 2021, 15:30 - 17:00

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Centre for Contemporary Political Theory Seminar Series: Dr James Souter

The Centre for Contemporary Political Theory welcomes Dr James Souter (University of Leeds) for the launch of new book 'Asylum as Reparation: Refuge and Responsibility for the Harms of Displacement.'

Wednesday 8 December 2021, 15:30 - 17:00

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