Leeds academics scoop top political studies prizes at awards ceremony
The School of Politics and International Studies has been well represented at the latest Political Studies Association (PSA) annual conference.
The 75th Annual International Conference, jointly convened by the University of Birmingham and Aston University, took place in Birmingham in April.
The Political Studies Association (PSA) is a professional association that aims ‘to promote the development of political studies and to encourage education and the advancement of learning in the art and science of government.’ The PSA was founded in 1950 with the ‘aim of developing and promoting the study of politics in the UK and globally’.
Professor of Politics Cristina Leston-Bandeira was awarded the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize 2025 ‘for outstanding professional contributions to political studies’ at an award ceremony on Monday 14 April. Her work on parliamentary studies and her role as Chair of the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN) have particularly helped to advance ‘public knowledge of politics and political literacy’.
The School of Politics and International Studies – and the University of Leeds – are delighted that Professor Leston-Bandeira’s work has been recognised through the award of this prestigious prize. The Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize rewards outstanding contributions to political studies which have been made across an entire career. As this year’s winner, Professor Leston-Bandeira joins an elite list of scholars who have significantly furthered the discipline.
Lecturer in British Politics Dr Alexandra Meakin was also awarded the Sir Bernard Crick Prize 2025 for ‘outstanding contributions to advancing teaching and learning in political studies by an early career academic’. Dr Meakin leads on the parliamentary placement scheme and has also recently designed and delivered an innovative new skills module for POLIS students.
We are delighted that Alex's incredible contribution to teaching and learning has been recognised and celebrated by the Political Studies Association. Alex is an outstanding teacher and pedagogical researcher delivering exceptional teaching and critical scholarship on attendance. This award recognises the outstanding contributions Alex makes to advancing teaching and learning in political studies.
Both Professor Leston Bandeira and Dr Meakin have also recently collaborated alongside Dr Louise Thompson, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, on an updated edition of Exploring Parliament, which is due for launch in May.
Professor Leston-Bandeira is a member of the Centre for Democratic Politics and Chair of IPEN, the International Parliament Engagement Network, a network that brings together academics and practitioners from across the world to share practices on public engagement and discuss ways to enhance it. Her latest research project is Breaking barriers to engagement with parliaments.
Dr Alexandra Meakin joined the School of Politics and International Studies in 2021, having previously worked for over a decade in Westminster. She is a member of IPEN and the Programme Director of the Politics and Parliamentary Studies undergraduate degree.
