Research at the Department of Politics and International Studies
The Department of Politics and International Studies is one of the leading research-driven centres in the UK.
It is unique in its coverage of the world regions and respected for its combination of in-depth expertise of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and a critical approach to knowledge production. The research work of the Department is recognised for its innovative methods and cutting-edge theoretical contributions.
In the 2021 UK Research Excellent Framework (REF), almost 90% of the publications produced by our academic staff were considered world-leading or internationally excellent. The Department ranked 7th in the UK in terms of its research impact, and its research environment was judged to be excellent, highlighting interdisciplinarity, international connections and diversity as particular strengths. The overall REF result placed the Department in the first quartile among 56 institutions.
Our academics conduct their research across six clusters specialising on the international politics of Asia, Africa, Middle East, Political Economy, Security and Conflict, and the Formation of Political Identities. In addition, the Department is home to five thriving research centres on International Studies and Diplomacy, Conflict, Rights and Justice, Political Thought, Global Energy and Climate Policy, and Taiwan Studies. All our research clusters and centres have direct links with at least one of our eight on-campus postgraduate degree programmes and encourage student participation in their activities.
