Political economy has taken on a renewed importance within British political science since the 2008 financial crisis. The Political Economy Perspectives Specialist Group (PSA BCPE) aims to bring together a network of political economists conducting research into the political economy of Britain, or comparative political economy encompassing the study of Britain in an international context. Political economy is defined in broad terms, as a form of analysis which recognises that the political and economic dimensions of social life are comprehensively intertwined, and that neither can be satisfactorily understood without the other.

The Specialist Group organises panels at the PSA annual conference, and regular workshops that reflect our research interests. It prioritises the provision of a national dissemination platform for early career researchers and doctoral students, and, as such, seek ideas for panel and workshop topics from younger members in the first instance. It is currently convened by Craig Berry, Jeremy Green, Scott James, Sean McDaniel, Scott Lavery, Inga Rademacher, and James Wood. The groups deputy convenors are Kate Alexander Shaw, Valentina Ausserladscheider, Matthew Eagleton-Pierce, and Nick ODonovan.

Objectives of the group

1. To promote and advance the study of British and comparative political economy on a national and international basis.
2. To facilitate discussion on the nature and future of political economy as a form of analysis.
3. To boost dialogue between existing networks of political economists whose scholarship focuses on Britain, or comparative analysis involving Britain.
4. To foster and encourage collaborative research on British and comparative political economy.
5. To provide a national platform for the work of early career researchers and doctoral students specialising in British and comparative political economy.

Specialist group activities

• PSA BCPE hosts a regular online Seminar Series. See our X feed for more information (@PSAPolEc).
• PSA BCPE organises a series of panels at the PSA annual conference in Glasgow in 2024 and Birmingham in 2025.
• PSA BCPE convenes an Annual Workshop. *We will issue a Call for Papers shortly*

JOIN THE GROUP!

If youd like to know more about the group and keep up to date with its activities, you should do the following:

1) Join the PSA and also join the BCPE specialist group. Your funds help to support our activities. Details here.

2) Sign up to our jiscmail list to receive regular communications about our events and activities here.