French Politics and Policy

The French Politics and Policy Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association (PSA) aims to provide a space to discuss various issues in contemporary French politics. It fosters connections between scholars working in the various sub-disciplines of the study of French politics; connects UK scholars interested in France with their international counterparts; and supports high quality research on all aspects of French politics.

Our particular areas of focus for the period 2024-2027, ahead of the next Presidential Election in France, are: 

• The role of racism and islamophobia in contemporary French politics 
• Gender politics and violence
• The debates and discourses around France's national identity, history and values - notably around Republicanism, and the place of colonialism, post-colonialism and neo-colonialism
• The changing political spectrum and the rise and mainstreaming of the far-Right 
• Recent protests and social movements and their relation with established and new Left parties and movements and with anti-capitalism more broadly
• The state of democracy, political and civil rights in France

We also encourage a cross-disciplinary approach to these topics, broadening our understanding of waht counts as 'political and policyresearch'. We therefore particularly welcome approaches from history, sociology, cultural studies, literature, among many others. 

The group organises panels at the PSA annual conference, and an annual specialised workshop. It collaborates with the French Politics network of the American Political Science Association (APSA). It provides a platform for early career researchers and doctoral students to disseminate their research through specialist workshops and special issues. The group co-convenors are currently editing a Special Issue with papers from participants at our 2024 Workshop, to be published with French Politics. 

The group’s co-Convenors are Dr. Salomé Ietter, Leverhulme Fellow in Sociological & Cultural Studies at the University of Glasgow (salome.ietter@glasgow.ac.uk) and Dr. Fraser McQueen, lecturer in French and Francophone Studies at the University of Leeds (f.j.mcqueen@leeds.ac.uk) since January 2024.

Please get in touch if you would like further information or have any suggestions for the group.