From ‘Democracy and Legitimacy’ to ‘The Contested Council’: An analysis of the 75 most-cited PSA articles
By Prof. Nicholas Allen, Royal Holloway University of London and PSA Trustee for Publications Published in November 2025 To mark the Political Studies Association’s (PSA) 75th anniversary, we identified the 75 most-cited articles—between 1 January 2003 and 1 August 2025 using Web of Science Core Citations—across our suite of journals. There is obviously far more to academic publishing than citations, which can never fully capture articles’ significance and impact. But the number of citations can help us track an article’s influence—and whose work has been influential. The PSA currently publishes four peer-reviewed journals: Political Studies (first published in 1953), Politics (1981), the British Journal of Politics […]
Celebrating 75 Years of the PSA
PSA’s journals grow in impact, visibility & influence
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The recently published 2024 Clarivate results show improvements in the rankings and impact factors for all four of the PSA’s journals. In reaction to this outcome, PSA Chief Executive Michelle Doyle Wildman said: “The PSA Team of Trustees and staff are delighted to see this progress. This is testament to the skill and dedication of our journal editorial teams, the impactful work of our authors, the support of our reviewer community and our ongoing and effective partnership with SAGE Publishing. These results cement our status as the home of Political Studies. I would encourage colleagues from across Politics and International […]
Congratulations PSA 2024-25 Academic Prize Winners!
We had the pleasure of awarding our prestigious PSA Academic Prizes at the PSA’s 75th anniversary annual conference in Birmingham. We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our members through this esteemed awards programme, and would like to extend a huge thank you to all who participated, whether it was by entering, nominating or judging the prizes. In recognition of our 2024-25 prize winners outstanding contributions, we are delighted to share their achievements. Join us in congratulating their well-deserved success! The PSA is proud to highlight the exceptional work of our members and showcase the excellence and impact […]
Being an Active Bystander
What does it mean to be an active bystander, how might you intervene when faced with uncomfortable situations? We recommend the 4D’s approach: Direct Distract Delegate Delay Watch our new resource to learn more about the 4D’s of being an active bystander.
What is an active bystander, and why is it important?
At the Political Studies Association (PSA), we are committed to fostering an environment that is accessible and inclusive to all. To achieve this, we encourage our members and guests to be part of our efforts in ensuring everyone feels welcome to the PSA by being an active bystander. What does it mean to be an active bystander? It is being aware of any behaviour or system that may have the potential of causing harm or alienating a person or a group and choosing to intervene. Being an active bystander is not just limited to interactions between individuals, but also systems, […]
PSA Online Resource: Learn How to Be an Active Bystander
We’ve launched a new short video introducing the Political Studies Association’s approach to being an active bystander. This practical resource outlines how you can recognise problematic behaviour and take safe, constructive action to support others. Whether you’re attending PSA events, working within your institution, or engaging with the wider academic community, we all have a role to play in creating respectful, inclusive environments. Watch the video to learn more about the steps you can take and the support available from the PSA.
The 2025 PSA/APSA International Partnerships Award
The American Political Science Association (APSA) and the Political Studies Association (PSA) are pleased to announce that entries are now welcome for this award which recognises the very best in cross-Atlantic scholarly partnerships. Applications should be received by close of play 24 January 2025 here. The International Partnerships Award honours those Political Studies academics engaged in collaborative and productive cross-national partnerships that make a significant contribution to the discipline in the areas of teaching, research, or civic engagement. We are looking for entries which demonstrate tangible benefits to the Political Studies discipline from a clear collaborative endeavour of two or more […]
PSA Chair Rose Gann promoted to Professor of Politics Education
The PSA would like to congratulate its Chair, Rose Gann, on her promotion to the position of Professor of Politics Education at Nottingham Trent University. Professor Gann, who is the Head of Academic Scholarship in the School of Social Sciences said: “I am delighted to receive this promotion in recognition of my work in the field of politics education – particularly the work I have undertaken to develop the politics curriculum and to raise the profile of teaching and learning across the discipline. I also welcome acknowledgement of my leadership and advocacy, at institutional and national level, for […]
What are Politicians able to deliver for the next generation of voters?
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We are delighted to announce the winner of our annual Student Blog Competition in which students, aged 16-19 in full time secondary education, were invited to submit a blog of maximum 600 words on the subject: What are politicians able to deliver for the next generation of voters? From amongst a strong field of 90 entries, our congratulations go to this year’s winner Evelyn Field from Calderstones School. The judges commented on Evelyn’s blog: this student answered the question with a focus on approaches and topics required by politicians to engage young people – of “progressivism, representation and […]