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Exploring the big questions about how society is governed

Our research sits at the intersection of the study of political theory, international relations, and comparative politics. It is articulated around an ambitious vision focused on field-defining arguments that address the pressing problems of justice, international order and conflict, and democracy. Award-winning, published in high-ranking outlets, and widely disseminated, our research shares a commitment to solving puzzles as well as promoting diversity, creativity, and interdisciplinarity.  

Research in our department is organised into three clusters: 

  • Applied Political Theory
    The Applied Political Theory cluster examines pressing questions related to legitimacy, justice, political protest and inequality.

  • International Organisations, Conflict and Cooperation
    The International Organisations, Conflict and Cooperation cluster focuses on the operation and impact of international institutions and examines war and other forms of collective violence.

  • Democracy and Participation
    The Democracy and Participation cluster research voting behaviour, party politics, and comparative political economy to understand various contemporary challenges to electoral democracy.
Far-right protestersGraphic representation of populismUN logo

Impact and Engagement

The acceptable face of European extremism

Research by Professor Daphne Halikiopoulou is helping to tackle the rise in European political extremism, by identifying the economic and institutional factors that drive public populist sympathy and revealing the revealing the dangers hidden within the seemingly benign nationalistic rhetoric of far-right parties. Halikiopoulou’s considerable engagement with the media and policymakers about her research has stimulated debate and discussion about the institutional and economic dimensions of far-right party support and the use of civic nationalism to appeal to voters. Find out more, read the blog or read the paper.

Finding peace in a fragile world

Research led by Professor Dominik Zaum that sets out a case for a radical change in the approach taken by donors to rebuilding fragile states has been instrumental in the development of a new UK policy framework to guide interventions and to inform relationships with local and international partners. The framework is now used by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to support stabilisation efforts in fragile and conflict-affected states in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and a number of African countries. 

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2024/25
2025/26