School of Politics and International Studies - Research and Expertise
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.
Research centres
Our research activity in our core areas of expertise is driven by six interconnected centres of excellence.
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We collaborate with a wide range of partners to produce outstanding, policy-relevant research.
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Our research contributes significantly to both the sustainability and enhancement of the wider discipline through our intellectual leadership.
More on Intellectual leadershipInterdisciplinarity
We have embedded interdisciplinarity in our everyday practice by establishing our research centres as hubs that develop new interdisciplinary networks beyond the social sciences.
More on InterdisciplinarityOur 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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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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Find out more about research projects past and present within the School of Politics and International Studies.
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Join our postgraduate research community and pursue your passion with the support of our expert academics.
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Tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement article by Head of School published by Open Access Government
Head of the School of Politics and International Studies, Professor Richard…
Wednesday 7 May 2025
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Leeds academics scoop top political studies prizes at awards ceremony
The School of Politics and International Studies has been well represented at…
Monday 28 April 2025
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Politics academics publish new book edition including analysis of 2024 General Election
A new book promises to provide even more insight into Parliament.
Thursday 27 March 2025
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States failing on gender commitments, new report concludes
Dr Lata Narayanaswamy, Associate Professor in the Politics of Global…
Tuesday 18 March 2025
More on States failing on gender commitments, new report concludesPolycrisis Network Seminar Series: The polycrisis and social democracy
Friday 09 May, 12.00–13.00, hybrid (Baines Wing SR (1.06) and online)
Friday 9 May 2025, 12:00 - 13:00
More on Polycrisis Network Seminar Series: The polycrisis and social democracyCOP at 30, Paris at 10, Trump at 2: What Future for Climate Multilateralism?
Call for Expressions of Interest for a one-day workshop, University of Leeds, UK, Wednesday 2 July 2025
Wednesday 2 July 2025
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