School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies

Politics and International Relations at Portsmouth

At Portsmouth, the study of politics and international relations explores power - who has it, and how they use it in national and global arenas.  This means study and research in topics from globalisation to local governance, from economic integration to war and terrorism.

The academic staff of the department are all active in both research and teaching, giving students (at undergraduate and postgraduate levels) access to the most recent thought in this field as they learn.  Doctoral study may be undertaken in many specialisms, including foreign and economic policy; the politics of Europe, the Middle East or Northern Ireland; the role of the military-industrial complex; and the structures and processes that underlie all these.

We have a strong record of success in securing funding from sources including NATO, the British Academy, the ESRC and the Nuffield Foundation for writing projects, international conferences and empirical studies.   Our research also contributes to the work of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), a respected centre for research across the humanities and social sciences.