PSA, BISA and UACES joint statement on the risks to the study of Politics and International Relations
PSA
Statement
Cancellation of the PSAs Annual Conference in Edinburgh
PSA
Announcement
PSA response to Plan S consultation
Academic Freedom – an update and response
Further PSA Statement on Matthew Hedges
Further to our previous statement made on 23 October 2018, the Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom utterly condemns the decision yesterday by a court in the United Arab Emirates to imprison University of Durham PhD student Matthew Hedges simply for carrying out academic research. Like many others, we were shocked and appalled at this decision and sincerely hope that it can be overturned as soon as possible. We urge the UK Government and all those with any influence in the matter to do all within their power to secure a change in this outcome and Matthew’s safe […]
PSA statement on Matthew Hedges
The Political Studies Association is greatly concerned for the welfare of Durham University doctoral student Matthew Hedges who has been held unlawfully by the United Arab Emirates for over six months. Academic freedom defines the core of any civil and just society. Every academic pursuing knowledge through research outside the UK expects our government to provide protection from unlawful arrest. We urge the UK government to take immediate action to protect Matthews well being and to secure his release. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.
PSA Statement on Hungarian proposal to ban Gender Studies
The PSA has sent the following letter to the Hungarian Minister of Education regarding their proposal to ban gender studies: Dear Minister of Education, The Political Studies Association is alarmed by the Hungarian governments proposal to ban Gender Studies programmes within its higher education institutions. This represents, we believe, a serious attack upon academic freedom and the spirit and ethos of the university as a centre of learning and expertise. The proposed law to abolish the accredited MA program in gender studies in the Central European University(CES) and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) calls into question the Hungarian government’s commitment […]
PSA Statement on Student Placements and Internships
In light of recent political discussions regarding the payment of student interns and student placements, the Political Studies Association (PSA) encourages all to acknowledge a basic ethical standard: all work should earn a living wage. The PSA pays all interns a living wage and we encourage all political parties and universities to do the same. At the same time, we recognize the enormous academic benefits from student placements with political parties, within halls of Westminster, Cardiff and Edinburgh government structures, in local authorities, think-tanks or within the NGO sector. Students are not paid to learn and these placements do form a part […]
GDPR and data protection
The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on May 25th 2018. Below is a summary of the work that we’ve been undertaking to ensure our organisation is ready and prepared. What information are we talking about? Personal information is any information that can be used to identify you. However, the information we hold on you and how we use it is based on our relationship with you as a member, or contact, of the PSA. How do we use it? There are no secrets when it comes down to how we use your personal data. In […]
PSA response to REF sub-panel announcement
The Political Studies Association welcomes the announcement of the members of the Research Excellence Framework sub-panel 19 Politics and International Studies. We are looking forward to supporting their important work in the coming years. The PSA took seriously the request by The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) that the nomination process should be open to all members, conducted under transparent procedures and driven by a commitment to equality and diversity, including a fair representation of all parts of the political science and international relations discipline. The gender balance on this panel broadly suggests that HEFCE showed commitment to […]