Welcome to the Political Studies Association
Since 1950, the objectives of our Association have been ‘to promote the development of political studies and to encourage education and the advancement of learning in the art and science of government and in other branches of the political sciences’. From democracy to dictatorship and local councils to international organisations, Political Studies examines how power is obtained, kept, lost, mobilised, divided, used and abused. It asks who gains and who loses from these processes and why. Politics is studied in theory and in practice, often using scientific methods.
Programmes and member benefits
Events
The PSA organises events across the UK including our annual international conference, public lectures, specialist group conferences and other seminars to further our discipline
Publications
With our publishing partner SAGE we produce four of the leading journals in political science all of which are available to those choosing individual academic membership.
News and Analysis
Short accessible pieces on topics of current interest including blogs, links to news articles written by PSA members and digital material such as lectures and podcasts
Specialist groups
The PSA’s membership contains academic expertise in all areas of our discipline and we want to be able to share that knowledge both with other scholars and with a wider audience including policy makers and the media.
Opportunities
Focused events, training and development opportunities and access to funding. We are committed to developing the next generation of political scientists and some of these are specifically for doctoral students and early career staff through our early career network
Schools
Events and resources for schools both to support A-level /Highers teachers and those students either studying A-level politics or thinking of taking a politics degree.
Prizes
The PSA is home to one of the most prestigious prizes for academic research in political studies.