PSA Excellence & Impact Fund Recipients 2026-27
We are delighted to announce the nine successful Specialist Group recipients of this year’s PSA Excellence & Impact Fund. This fund of up to £2000 is made available annually for PSA Specialist Groups to showcases initiatives that make a difference: promoting excellence, innovation, and public engagement across the discipline. The successful projects will take place between September 2026 and June 2027. They reflect a broad range of topics and areas within politics and international relations including planned projects that cover Children’s Participatory Rights in the UK and Beyond; Conflict and Peace Processes; Statecraft in British Politics and ‘Growing Up Digital’ […]
PSA Journal: BJPIR John Peterson Prize 2026
We are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in 2025 in the PSA’s British Journal of Politics and International Relations. The winning article is “Inside the ‘secret garden’: Candidate selection at the 2019 UK general election” by Chris Butler, Marta Miori, and Rob Ford. The panel of judges were very impressed with all of the shortlisted articles, but had particular praise for the winning entry: “This is a very strong article that adds substantially to understanding of an important part of the democratic process. Based on original data generated by […]
Professor Andrew Russell welcomed to AcSS Fellowship
We are delighted to announce that Professor Andrew Russell, University of Liverpool, has been welcomed into Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS) Fellowship in recognition of his substantial professional contribution to social science. Earlier this year following an open call to the PSA membership, the PSA – as a member learned society of the AcSS – nominated scholars for consideration. Our congratulations to Professor Russell on this achievement. We would like to thank Professor Susan Banducci, University of Birmingham, Dr Meryl Kenny, University of Edinburgh and Professor Katy Hayward, Queens University, for their support in assessing member nominations. You can learn more about […]
We’re Hiring! Join the PSA team as Membership & Programmes Officer
Join the PSA team! The Political Studies Association (PSA) is looking for an organised and experienced membership officer to join our small, dynamic team as Membership & Programmes Officer maternity cover. This is a varied role at heart of the PSA’s membership and programmes work. The successful candidate will be the principal contact for our members, overseeing membership registrations and renewals, responding to enquiries, maintaining our CRM and helping to ensure members receive a high-quality experience throughout their relationship with the PSA. The Membership and Programmes Officer also provides support to the PSA’s 48 Specialist Groups and member networks, including […]
PSA TLN Lead Dr Susan Kenyon awarded National Teaching Fellowship
The PSA extends its congratulations to one of the current leaders of its Teaching and Learning Network Dr Susan Kenyon who has recently been awarded one of only 55 National Teaching Fellowships for 2026 from Advance HE. One of the UK’s highest honours in higher education, this award recognises those who champion and espouse excellence, leadership and inclusion in Teaching and Learning within their institutions and beyond. Responding to the award Dr Kenyon, who is Principal Lecturer in Politics at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “I am honoured to receive the National Teaching Fellowship. Supporting all students to receive the […]
Winner of the APSA-PSA 2026 International Partnerships Award
The American Political Science Association (APSA) and the Political Studies Association (PSA) are delighted to announce the 2026 winner of this award which celebrates outstanding and innovative cross-national scholarly partnerships. Congratulations to Lisel Hintz (John Hopkins University), Feyda Sayan-Cengiz (Manisa Celal Bayar University), Madonna Kalousian (King’s College London), and Devrim Yavuz (Lehman College) for their Post-Disaster Online Writing Solidarity Group and its accompanying blueprint published in PS: Political Science & Politics. We thank the judging panel for their time and careful consideration: PSA Trustees Dr. Donna Smith (The Open University) and Professor John Craig (University of Hull); PSA Vice-President Angelia […]
PSA27 Annual Conference – Call for Papers open
Call for Papers PSA27 Annual Conference: Seismic Politics – impacts and responses from the global to the local University of Hull 22 – 24 March 2027 We invite proposals for 15–20 minute paper presentations that reflect the breadth of the conference theme. The PSA’s annual conference is a rewarding, and popular event for those researching, teaching, studying, or practicing politics, political studies, international relations, and related disciplines. Hosting over 200 panels, keynotes, workshops, and professional development opportunities. Last year’s annual conference attracted over 1000 international academics, students, and professionals. This three-day conference is a unique and valuable opportunity for delegates to share […]
PSA ECN Committee seeking new member to lead on events
The PSA Early Career Network committee is seeking a new, motivated colleague to join the team in this volunteer role. This is a great opportunity for Phd and Early Career Researchers to work closely with the ECN and PSA teams to develop useful project management and event organisation skills in planning and delivering engaging in-person and online events. You would be leading on the following projects: Coordinate ECN’s presence at the PSA Annual Conference Co-lead the organisation and delivery of the ECN Annual Conference Work with team members to ensure inclusive and engaging programming Help to plan, and manage logistics, timelines, […]
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 […]
PSA Mackenzie Book Prize – Nominations now open
Nominations are now open for the PSA Mackenzie Book Prize Celebrating its 40th year, this prestigious prize is awarded annually to the best book in political science. Nominations are open for books published in the UK in 2025 Nominations may be submitted by publishers, heads of department (or equivalent senior colleague) and PSA Specialist Groups. We also welcome self-nominations, supported by two other PSA members. We particularly welcome nominations from women, and from black and minority ethnic authors. Deadline for nominations: 4 September 2026 Full details and guidelines regarding nominations can be found online.