Joint Letter on Proposed Changes at the University of Dundee
The PSA, BISA and UACES have written to leaders at the University of Dundee in support of Politics and International Relations colleagues facing redundancy to ask them to value the excellence in teaching and research in the department and to ask them to think again. We send our support and solidarity to our colleagues at Dundee. We write as the chairs of the British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA), and the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) – the three main learned societies representing scholars in Politics and International Relations in the UK. As fellow […]
Joint Letter on Proposed Changes at the University of Lincoln
The PSA, BISA and UACES have written to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln in support of colleagues facing redundancy to ask the university’s leadership to value the excellence in Political Studies from the department and to think again. We send our support and solidarity to our colleagues at Lincoln. Professor Neal JusterVice [email protected] Dr Mike VarneyHead of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and [email protected] University of LincolnBy email We write as the chairs of the British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA), and the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) – the three […]
Joint Letter on Proposed Changes at the University of Exeter
The PSA, BISA and UACES have written to the University of Exeter’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Lisa Roberts, Senior Vice-President & Provost Professor Dan Charman and Pro-Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean for HASS Professor Gareth Stansfield OBE asking them to think again about proposed redundancies in Politics and International Relations teaching and research roles especially in light of Exeter’s excellence and success in this area. We offer our support to all those affected by this challenging situation at the university. We write as the chairs of the British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA), and the University Association for Contemporary […]
PSA supports APSA statement – Defending Academic Freedom, Democratic Institutions and International Scholarship
Political Scientists Defend Academic Freedom, Democratic Institutions, and International Scholarship in the United States. On 6 June 2025, the American Political Science Association (APSA) and political science associations, including the PSA, signed and published a statement asserting their steadfast support for the freedom of speech and academic freedom for all scholars and students, including those who live, work, and study in the United States. In the statement, they also assert the critical value of higher education and evidenced-based research in the United States and call for the unfreezing and continuance of federal funding for academic research. The statement talks of […]
Open Letter to the UK Government: The Future of Political & International Studies and Funding Pressures in Higher Education
Dear Baroness Smith, Minister of State for Education The British International Studies Association (BISA), the Political Studies Association (PSA) and the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) representing scholars and educators in Politics and International Studies, are writing to express our deep concern about the severe funding challenges in UK higher education and the potentially damaging consequences to our disciplines. While acknowledging that each of the nations of the UK has its own higher education policy, we believe that the cumulative impact of these on the UK higher education sector should be highlighted. Across the UK, universities are facing acute financial pressures. […]
Rebuilding The Transatlantic Exchange on Learning & Teaching’ Wins The 2024 APSA-PSA International Partnerships Award
The American Political Science Association (APSA) and the Political Studies Association (PSA) are delighted to announce the 2024 winner of this award which celebrates outstanding and innovative cross-national scholarly partnerships.
Joint Letter on Risks to the University Of Lincoln’s Department Of Politics & International Relations
The chairs of the PSA, BISA and UACES recently wrote to those at the institution consulting on potential risks to those working in the Department of Politics & International Relations. We express our deep concern and solidarity with all PSA members and other colleagues at Lincoln at this challenging time. We write as the chairs of the Political Studies Association (PSA), the British International Studies Association (BISA), and the University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) – the three main learned societies representing scholars in Politics and International Relations (IR) in the UK. We fully understand […]
Joint Letter on Risks to Goldsmiths’ (University Of London) Department of Politics & International Relations
The chairs of the PSA, BISA and UACES recently wrote to those at the institution overseeing this change programme in response to its consultation on potential risks to those working in the Department of Politics & International Relations. We express our deep concern and solidarity with all PSA members and other colleagues at Goldsmiths at this challenging time. JOINT LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS OF PSA, BISA & UACES ON RISKS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS We write as the chairs of the Political Studies Association (PSA), the British International Studies Association (BISA) and the University Association […]
\’Design-Build-Test’ for Student Satisfaction, Engagement and Attainment
[[{\”fid\”:\”62395\”,\”view_mode\”:\”default\”,\”fields\”:{\”format\”:\”default\”,\”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\”:false,\”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\”:false},\”type\”:\”media\”,\”field_deltas\”:{\”1\”:{\”format\”:\”default\”,\”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\”:false,\”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\”:false}},\”attributes\”:{\”class\”:\”media-element file-default\”,\”data-delta\”:\”1\”}}]] A 100% first-time pass rate across three cohorts: adopting an Engineering pedagogy in Politics and International Relations In this blog, I discuss how a new method of teaching, adapted from Engineering education, enabled my Politics and International Relations students to achieve a 100% first-time pass rate, across three cohorts. I describe how this method supports our students to become ‘industry-ready social scientists’, upon graduation. I was the learning and teaching lead when we established our new School of Engineering here at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). We structured our learning and teaching around an innovative pedagogy, which […]
University of Dundee departmental changes: Letter from the PSA & BISA
The respective Chairs of the PSA and BISA, Professors Roger Awan-Scully and Ruth Blakeley, have recently written to the Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Court at the University of Dundee expressing their concern at plans to reduce Politics and International Relations provision and staffing. We are sharing this letter in case this is helpful to any members and other academics facing similar circumstances.