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We are delighted to announce that the UK Political Studies Association has launched a new prize in recognition of Professor Shirin Rai’s "significant contributions to the discipline of feminist International Relations and International Political Economy."

The Shirin M. Rai dissertation prize, for the best dissertation in International Relations, has now officially been launched. A blog announcing the PSA’s new framework for prizes and awards, and further information about the application process, can be accessed here: .

While many professional associations name prizes after those who have retired, the PSA’s new framework is designed to acknowledge active and leading scholars in the discipline; very many congratulations to Shirin on this hugely impressive accolade, which is yet further recognition of her leading status in the discipline and an important projection of PAIS’ standing in the field.

The Politics Society recently hosted Baroness D'Souza, former Lord Speaker, who discussed her vision for the House of Lords.

The event was filmed by RaW and is available to view below:

After her talk, she also was interviewed by RaW, you can find the link for the interview .

Annual IPE Lecture: Both Sides, Now: Paradigms, Power, Psychology, and Pragmatism at the Midpoint of Crisis

Wesley Widmaier, Griffith University, Australia

2nd November, 17:00-18:30, MS.04 (Zeeman Building)

This year's Annual IPE Lecture offers an overview of IPE and IR debates on ideas, crises and change from a social psychological constructivist perspective. Wes Widmaier is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the Centre for Governance and Public Policy at Griffith University. His research interests include International Political Economy, International Relations Theory, in particular constructivist thought, and the specific role of wars and crises as mechanisms of large-scale change. Wes is also the editor-in-chief of the Review of International Political Economy.

An essay written by PAIS Undergraduate Alp Katalan Nasi has been "Highly Commended" at the Undergraduate Awards. The essay, written for Politics of International Development, was ranked in the top 10% from over 400 global submissions in the Politics and IR section. The essay was titled: "Why Do Countries Give Aid? A Case Study of Swedish Benevolence".

You can find the list of "Highly Commended" contestants here:

Having just returned from my year abroad in Hong Kong, it is great to be recognised for the work I had done at 91¸£Àû. My teachers played a key role as I found it inspiring to learn about international development from such an enthusiastic lecturer like Ben Richardson.

My essay explored why countries give aid, with a special focus on Sweden as a case study. I really enjoyed exploring this through various angles - social reasons, economic incentives, and political motivations - using various lenses of IR theory. I hope to continue exploring development issues, especially those associated with energy and the environment, in my further studies.

I am honoured to represent not just the PAIS department, but the 91¸£Àû overall at the Undergraduate Awards. I will be a part of the UA Alumni Network, as well as publish my essay on the Undergraduate Library, which is a fantastic personal achievement!

- Alp Katalan Nasi

Congratulations Alp!

The European Union is experiencing considerable turbulence, both in the domestic politics of its member states and in its international environment. A key characteristic of this turbulence are the close linkages between what is seen as ‘domestic’, ‘European’ and ‘international’, with many tensions and disputes rooted in at least two of these domains. This round table event is designed to explore these linkages and their political consequences with a focus on one area of concern: the impact of national electoral change on the broader European order.

In an integrated and interdependent Europe, it is no longer possible to see national elections as purely national events: they are subject to forces and pressures of a transnational and broader international nature as well as those generated at local, regional and national levels. Recently, there has been considerable attention to the impact of ‘transnational nationalism’ and of populist movements in key European elections. During 2017, there has been a cluster of important elections within the EU, particularly those in the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, which have been replete with potential implications at the European level.

In this round table, we focus on the ways in which key national elections have reflected, reinforced or resisted processes of transnational populism, and on the implications of the results for the broader European order. Speakers will present a range of views focusing on the recent elections in the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, and will evaluate their implications in comparative and transnational perspective.

The event is scheduled to take place from 6-8pm in MS0.04, Zeeman Building, on Thursday 19th October, followed by a reception.

Speakers:

Dr. Renske Doorenspleet, 91¸£Àû

Professor Helen Drake, Loughborough University

Dr. Andreas Murr, 91¸£Àû

Professor William Paterson, Aston University

Chair:

Professor Michael Smith, PAIS

For speaker biographies, and to register your attendance, please go to: