Centre for European and International Studies Research

Research covering humanities, social sciences and the arts

REF 2014 put us in the top 10 institutions nationally for our area studies research impact and intensity

Bringing together researchers and postgraduates from across the University, the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) is a supportive and intellectually stimulating place. We welcome linguists, historians, sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists and specialists in area studies. Our work crosses multiple fields in humanities, social sciences and the arts.

In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 25% of our research in Area Studies was rated world-leading, and 43% internationally excellent. This placed it in the top 10 institutions nationally for impact and for research intensity.

A regular programme of events helps promote our research and nurture our culture. We host strategic research projects on topics such as EU language policy, the Transnational European Union, the History of the Jewish Press in Central Europe, Port Towns and Francophone Africa in a comparative and transnational context.

Partnerships and collaborations

We're partnered with external stakeholders and research organisations on issues of mutual interest, including Southern England Local Partners (SELP), the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), Chatham House and the West Africa Institute (WAI).

Several of our PhD students are members of the international History of European Integration Research Society (HEIRS)postgraduate research network. Founded by a group of doctoral students from Portsmouth and Cambridge, HEIRS works as an open network for all PhD and early career researchers to contribute to discussions on European integration and its history.

Funding

Our activities have been funded by major UK and European research councils, including:

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
European Social Fund (ESF)
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
European Union (EU)
UNESCO
British Academy
Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Our members

Dr Simon Stewart

Job Title Reader In Sociology and Director of the Centre for European and International Studies Research
Email Address Simon.Stewart@port.ac.uk
Department School of Area Studies History Politics and Literature
Faculty Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
PhD Supervisor PhD Supervisor

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Research

Research groups

Citizenship, Race and Belonging

We're researching issues around citizenship and why people are considered to belong within certain nation-states.

Francophone Africa Research Group

We're researching the legacy of French colonialism and the changing relations between France and the Francophone world.

Higher Education Research Group

We're researching all aspects of higher education policies and practices which impact on the staff and student experience.

History Research Group

We're researching aspects of social and cultural history in European societies, and further afield.

Language Across Borders Research Group

We're researching what happens as speakers and writers cross the boundaries of language systems or transgress the rules within them.

Mental Health In Childhood And Education (MICE) Hub

We're promoting research and projects in the field of mental health in childhood, from wellbeing in early years to bullying in schools.

Peace, Conflict and Security Research Group

We're researching interdisciplinary issues of international peace and conflict.

Sociology And Social Theory Research Group

We're researching a wide range of issues surrounding sociology with interests including culture, emotions, gender and violence.

Transnational Politics and Society Research Group

We're researching cross-border transnational and supranational dimensions of Europe, the European Union, and the wider world.

Women and Gender Studies Research Group

We're researching women and gender issues in a wide range of historical, social and cultural contexts.

Research areas and areas of expertise

Area Studies

By studying the international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions, our research aims to make sense of the world.

Development Studies

Our research is searching for new ways to tackle global issues – such as poverty, inequality, and human rights abuse – and in doing so, make the world a better place.

Education

We're working towards a better understanding of what education looks like for different groups of people around the globe, and pushing for social justice and human rights worldwide.

History

We're studying how everyday people throughout time have responded to upheaval – so we can better understand our own society, and how it may change in the future.

Young girls on a march in Eastern Europe

Languages and Applied Linguistics

We're exploring how words are used in certain contexts, and the relationship words can have with social phenomena and identity, such as class or power.

Translators working in translation suite

Politics and International Relations

We're working with organisations, governments and individuals to deal with some of the world's most pressing issues – from reducing the impact of war, to fighting political exclusion.

Sociology

We're investigating how societies evolve and the place of individuals, communities, governments, and organisations within them – and tackling the issues of a growing global population.

Women's and Gender Studies

We're exploring gender and women’s issues in social and cultural contexts – from suffrage and the 1st and 2nd waves of feminism, to the intersections between gender and religion and education.

News, blogs and podcasts

Find our more about our latest research successes, read blogs by our academics and listen to the latest ideas and discoveries that look set to change our lives in our Life Solved podcast.

Security and risk blog

In this Security and Risk theme blog, our experts cover topics including government regulations, online safety, cyber wars and travel security.

Visit blog

Episode 1: The Coronavirus Toolkit

Portsmouth researchers discuss the issues that have arisen as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Illustration depicting the emotions and issues caused by the Coronavirus pandemic

Listen now

Episode 2: How Politics Became Social

Dr James Dennis explores how political behaviour is changing in the digital age.

Illustration of people talking and social media icons representing politics and social media

Listen now

Episode 5: Drone Warfare

Professor Peter Lee spoke to drone operators about how their job does not detach them from the act of killing.

Illustration of people who are sad and holding their heads

Listen now