The Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) offers global perspectives on the major social transformations of the past and present, specialising in research into cross-border transnational and supranational dimensions of Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. With strong roots in Area Studies, CEISR provides a unique interdisciplinary space for scholars in the humanities and social sciences to identify thematic synergies that break free from disciplinary silos. In doing so, the Centre focuses on three core thematic research areas: marginality, inequality and security.
In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, our entry in Area Studies was ranked as the top modern UK university for overall quality by Grade Point Average (GPA) and research power, and 2nd across all UK universities for research power, according to Times Higher Education. 100% of our impact was rated as having outstanding or very considerable reach and significance.
CEISR’s annual calendar has as its key focus two high profile events: the CEISR Annual Lecture and the CEISR Public Lecture. These high profile events underscore CEISR’s research focus on marginality, inequality and security and its contribution to the building of civic engagement with the humanities and social sciences at the University of Portsmouth.
Partnerships and collaboration
CEISR works with a number of external stakeholders including Chatham House, The European Parliament, The West Africa Peace and Security Network, and Friends Without Borders. CEISR hosts a number of Area Studies PhD students each year through the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (with the Universities of Southampton and Brighton).
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
- UK Research and Innovation
- Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
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Publication highlights
The latest publications from CEISR members are below:
2025
No more booze: Chinese migration, liquor bans, and transnational resistance in Venezuela, 1870s–1940s
Ng, R.
27 Nov 2025, In: Journal of Latin American Studies
Research output: Article
‘Stranger views’: researching marginality and (non)belonging among migrants experiencing homelessness in the UK
Stewart, S., Barrios Aquino, M.
28 Sep 2025, In: British Journal of Sociology
Research output: Article
How the ICC can make Duterte’s trial useful to Filipinos – or miss it
Smith, T.
19 Sep 2025, In: Justice Info
Research output: Article
The coloniality of civic integration requirements in Britain. Learning as a civilising force
Barrios Aquino, M.
9 Jul 2025, In: Journal of Contemporary European Studies
Research output: Article
Embedding reflection into the science curriculum in higher education
Williams, K. A., Grinsted, L., Lowe, T., Brindley, J.
16 Jun 2025, In: Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. 36, 20p.
Research output: Article
The ICC has got Duterte, what will the Philippines get?
Smith, T.
13 Mar 2025, In: Justice Info
Research output: Article
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity – a blow against impunity
Smith, T.
11 Mar 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
Suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage by Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is ramping up regional defence
Powell, M. L.
27 Jan 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
The key takeaways from Donald Trump’s inauguration speech
Townley, D. L.
20 Jan 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
Joe Biden’s legacy: four successes and four failures
Townley, D. L.
13 Jan 2025, In: The Conversation
Research output: Article
View all CEISR's research publications on the University of Portsmouth's Research Portal.
Research groups
Decolonising Spaces
We're researching the history, societies, cultures, politics and languages of different regions of the world, with a particular emphasis on decolonial perspectives.
History Research Group
We're researching aspects of social and cultural history in European societies, and further afield.
Peace, Conflict and Security Research Group
We're researching the complex reality of the struggles over the meaning of security, citizenship and rights.
Sociology and Social Theory Research Group
Our research is located in the disciplinary field of sociology and the interdisciplinary domain of social theory.
Transnational Politics and Society Research Group
Our research focuses on the cross-border dimensions of Europe and the wider world, including transnational politics, civil society and migration.
Women's and Gender Studies Research Group
We're researching violence against women and girls, access to justice, peace-building and conflict resolution.
Education, Social Justice and Transformation Research Group
This group seeks to open up opportunities to share and explore critical, radical, alternative and liberatory approaches to the research and practice of education across multiple global contexts.
Research areas and areas of expertise
Area studies
We're exploring international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions.
Education
We're researching what education looks like for different groups of people around the globe, while pushing for social justice and the human rights agenda worldwide.
History
We're understanding our society through the study of experiences, culture, values and activities of people throughout history.
Languages and applied linguistics
We're looking beyond words to explore how they're used in certain contexts, and the relationship words can have with social constructs such as class or power. Explore our languages and applied linguistics research.
Politics and international relations
We're exploring pressing issues in politics and international relations and working with organisations, governments and individuals to find solutions.
Sociology
We're studying the patterns of relationships, social interaction, cultures and communities, and how people live their lives. Explore our sociology research.
Women's and gender studies
We're exploring women’s issues and gender issues in social and cultural contexts through time, and how gender is represented in the media. Explore our women's and gender studies research.
Our members
Director of CEISR
Professor Simon Stewart
Events Coordinators
Kris Nolan
Charlotte Steffen
Media Coordinator
Mark Anthony Kaye
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
Read the latest insights into security and risk in relation to our modern world, with a focus on government regulations, online safety, cyber wars and travel security.
