Politics and International Relations

Welcome

Welcome to Politics and International Relations - one of the largest and most vibrant subject areas in the University. Our alumni include government ministers, members of parliament, policy analysts, broadcasters, business leaders, teachers and an increasing number of social entrepreneurs.

Our academic staff produce world-class research across several areas, which not only informs our teaching but also the wider academic discipline. In the last UK-wide assessment of research we were rated within the top 10 universities in the UK, and number one in Scotland.

About

We’re one of the largest and most exciting subject areas in the University, home to over 600 top undergraduates and 100 international postgraduate students every year.

Programmes

Our teaching and supervision is research-led, which means that courses at all levels are delivered by scholars active in research in their respective fields.

Research

Our aim is to produce research at the highest international standards, consolidating our position as one of the leading international locations for research on subjects such as multilevel governance, European integration and global politics.

People

Find out more about our team of academic colleagues, PhD students and professional services staff who keep our department running smoothly.

News

The latest news from Politics and International Relations.

Events

The latest events from Politics and International Relations.

Contact

You can find us in the Chrystal Macmillan Building in George Square - right at the heart of the central campus. Busy all year round, George Square is also home to performers and artists during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

Edited from PIR: Comparative European Politics

Comparative European Politics (CEP) arises out of a unique editorial partnership linking political scientists in Europe and North America. The journal explores challenging questions about the limitations of existing disciplinary perspectives and theoretical conventions.

image of regional and federal studies journal

Edited from PIR: Regional and Federal Studies

Regional and Federal Studies publishes research on federalism and territorial politics covering a wide variety of topics related to divided political authority and levels of government.

review of international studies journal image

Edited from PIR: Review of International Studies

Review of International Studies (RIS) publishes high-quality research that makes significant contributions to conversations about global politics, broadly defined.

Edited from PIR in partnership with Edinburgh Law School: Global Constitutionalism

Global Constitutionalism (GlobCon) offers an interdisciplinary space for addressing the foundations, limitations and contestations of the principles and norms of political order and their dynamics over time on a global scale.

15/09/2026

Politics and International Relations

SPS Political Theory research recognized: Mihaela Mihai Wins Inaugural Onora O’Neill Prize, Mathias Thaler Shortlisted

The School of Social and Political Science celebrates a double success: Professor Mihaela Mihai wins the prestigious 2026 European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) Onora O’Neill Political Theory Prize, while Professor Mathias Thaler was shortlisted for the same prize.

03/09/2026

Politics and International Relations

Professor Ben Rosamond elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Ben Rosamond has become a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, in the latest cohort of “some of the most influential voices in social science today.”

06/07/2026

Politics and International Relations

Campaign for Social Science appoints Professor Christina Boswell as Chair

Professor Christina Boswell has become the new Chair of the Campaign for Social Science, a leading role in promoting the importance of the social sciences.

01/07/2026

Politics and International Relations

Devolved governments seen to favour some regions over others

People in Scotland and Wales often view governments as favouring wealthier, urban and central areas over rural and less-developed regions, a study suggests.

12 October 2026

13:00 - 14:00

Politics and International Relations

IRRG Seminar: Masculine Security Through International Crisis - Japanese Military Reinterpretation of the US–Japan Alliance After 2022

IRRG Seminar with Mika Fahrenwaldt & Remi Kodamaya

26 October 2026

13:00 - 14:00

Politics and International Relations

IRRG Seminar: Do Transitional Justice Provisions Transform Secessionist Movements? Evidence from the Philippines' Moro Peace Agreements

IRRG Seminar with Yunus Colak

Image of closed bazaars displaying black flags taken in a spice market in Palestine 1929

29 October 2026

14:30 - 16:30

Politics and International Relations

Britain Owes Palestine and Balfour University: law, history, reparations

Dr. Victor Kattan (University of Nottingham) and Danny Friedman KC will present the ‘Britain Owes Palestine’ petition, which calls on the UK government to recognise Britain’s imperial legacy in Palestine. They will discuss with Dr. Shaira Vadasaria and Dr. Nicola Perugini (University of Edinburgh SPS) how this legacy persists in Edinburgh through university investments and institutional memory.

Image of the book cover and text related to the event

29 October 2026

18:00 - 20:00

Politics and International Relations

'The Gaza Tribunal': Britain’s complicity in genocide

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Professor Neve Gordon (QMUL), and Dr. Shahd Hammouri (Kent) will present their book, ‘The Gaza Tribunal’, and the public inquiry they oversaw in London in 2025 into Britain’s complicity in genocide. The event will be chaired by Dr. Nora Jaber (University of Edinburgh Law School).

School of Social and Political Science