School of Social and Political Science

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

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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

See the latest news updates 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.
Student in library

You might also be interested in the BJPIR journal

British Journal of Politics & International Relations (BJPIR) is a refereed journal published by SAGE under the auspices of the Political Studies Association of the UK.

Latest news

News content

Headshot of Kate Wright and BRAID logo
09/05/2024
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic receives BRAID Fellowship to investigate the use of AI in public media

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Dr Kate Wright has secured a prestigious Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) Fellowship to investigate the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public media.

BRIDGES logo, alongside headshots of Christina Boswell and Saskia Smellie
04/04/2024
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academics’ new research examines migration narratives in political debate and policymaking

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics Professor Christina Boswell and Dr Saskia Smellie have released a study on how migration narratives – the stories people tell about the causes and impacts of migration – shape and are deployed in political debate and policymaking.
Image of the book cover
21/03/2024
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic’s book on utopian visions’ relationship with tackling climate change shortlisted for Political Studies Association Book Prize

No Other Planet – a book exploring how utopias in fiction can help understand real-world climate challenges – by Professor Mathias Thaler has been shortlisted for the Political Studies Association (PSA) Mackenzie Book Prize.

Cover image of the WHO guide to mini-publics
21/02/2024
Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic contributes to WHO guide on citizen engagement

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Professor Oliver Escobar has co-written a new World Health Organisation (WHO) guide on how to engage citizens in policy making.