Diverse Voices 2024/25: Reflections From Our Final Session
Joan McDappa, PSA Diversity and Projects Officer 1 September 2025 This July saw us hold our final workshop and closing session for the Diverse Voices 2024/25 cohort. Diverse Voices is the PSA’s flagship initiative that supports historically marginalised scholars of Politics and International Relations based in a UK university, for an academic year. For this cohort, the PSA welcomed nine PhD students to the programme from different institutions within the UK, offering a wide array of support including mentoring, networking, and one year’s complimentary PSA membership. Some of the scholars also received small research grants and one-to-one mentoring from the programme leads. Why do […]
The Different Facets of Pride Politics in Times of ‘anti-LGBTQIA+’ Backlashes
The law passed on 18th March 2025 by the Hungarian Parliament banning Pride Events in the country and allowing the use of facial recognition to identify organisers and participants has sent shockwaves across the European continent and beyond. In Russia or Turkey bans on Pride Events have been a reality for a few years already, a situation that has attracted widespread condemnation from LGBTQIA+ activists, political actors, and civil society more in general. The ban enacted by the Hungarian Parliament, however, is seen by many as opening a new fault line at the heart of the European Union. Whilst Hungary […]
We need to talk about disability in the political science profession
Who is working in political science, and is represented in the profession, is increasingly recognised to influence how we study and teach political science – what is prioritised and the value that is assigned to it (Ayoub 2022). In my article ‘Disability Within Political Science: Representation and Position in the UK Profession’, I considered the place of disability in the political science profession, and the impact of underrepresentation. While 28% of the UK population are estimated to have a disability (Kelly et al 2023), only 6% of academics disclose a disability in HESA reporting. PSA and BISA in their joint […]
Being an Active Bystander
Now that you know what it means 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.
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 here to learn more about the steps you can take and the support available from the PSA.