PSAnews Vol26 No 4 | 2015 psa.ac.uk

PSA and BISA to collaborate on REF and TEF The Political Studies Association has joined with BISA to establish two working groups to facilitate the development of joint strategies on REF and TEF, and coordinate responses that represent the discipline of Politics and International Studies. Each working group brings together colleagues nominated by the two Associations, and their task will be to monitor the development of policy and offer guidance on both processes as they emerge, coordinate responses to consultations, and advise on implications for the discipline. In the case of the TEF Working Group, its members Academics, MPs and will work to monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of TEF and the results of the Journalists among those 2016 assessment. Dr Alistair Clark (Newcastle University) will initially lead for the PSA on the TEF working group, honoured at PSA Awards 2015 with Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Ulster The Political Studies Association paid tribute to a number of academics, politicians, University) taking on the role at a later date. On journalists and broadcasters at its Annual Awards Dinner on 1 December 2015. The the REF working group, Professor Martin Lodge event, which was hosted by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News, recognises those who have (LSE) is the PSA’s lead representative. made an exceptional contribution to politics. The minutes of the meetings, reports from the Harriet Harman, Sarah Wollaston and Douglas Carswell were among the MPs to be working groups and responses to consultations will honoured by the PSA while academics to be honoured this year included Professor John all be made publicly available in due course. Curtice, Professor Anthony King, Professor Jane Green, Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Michael Kenny, Dr Iain McKenzie, Dr Adrian Pabst and Dr Stefan Rossbach. The Spectator’s Isabel Hardman picked up Journalist of the Year while BBC broadcaster James Landale was also recognised with an award for services to political journalism. Other

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Total Exposure Shortlist Revealed INSIDE THIS ISSUE From April until October of this year, we asked members to submit short pitches on their Registration now open for PSA 2016 ideas for potential TV or radio programmes based on research within the discipline. We Photos from PSA Awards 2015 were overwhelmed by the response to the Total Exposure initiative and we received a total of 51 PSA responds to DfE consultation different pitches from members. See page 8 for the full list of pitches to be on the future of A-level Politics considered by a panel of the UK’s top programme commissioners in January 2016.

PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 1 16/12/2015 14:51 2 Contents ASSOCIATION NEWS

Academics, MPs and Journalists among those Introducing the new revamped Policy and Politics honoured at PSA Awards 2015 1 in East Asia Specialist Group 18 PSA and BISA to collaborate on REF and TEF 1 Italian Politics Specialist Group head for Urbino 19 Registration now open for the PSA 66th Annual New Political Methodology Specialist Group launched International Conference - Politics and the Good Life 4 at British Academy 19 PSA members in the news 4 The Conference Crasher! 20 Professor Baroness Haleh Afshar delivers PSA Annual The Paris Climate Talks: Politics, Policies and Principles 20 Academic Lecture 6 Total Exposure Shortlist Revealed 8 Professor Karen Johnston elected as Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences 8 JOURNALS Postgraduate Professional Development Day at Sussex 9 Special Issue of Politics: Soft Power of Hard States 21 DEPARTMENT NEWS

In Conversation with John McDonnell at Birkbeck 10 RESEARCH AND IMPACT Aston welcomes new lecturers 10 News from the Department of Politics at the ‘Giving Time’: Academics and practitioners debate University of Liverpool 11 and discuss strategies for volunteer recruitment 21 Centre for the Study of Democracy celebrates its 25th Crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat: Mapping & Anniversary: Doing and Thinking Democracy Differently 11 documenting migratory journeys & experiences 22 News from the University of Oxford 12 University of the West of Scotland and Oxfam cooperate on Lots happening at PAIS, University of Warwick 12 research that investigates what constitutes ‘decent work’ 22 CIAP2015 held at University of Leeds 13 Ideology, Voting and Implicit Cognition (IVIC) Project 23 New staff at Kent & EPOP 2016 13 Researching poverty alleviation after typhoon Yolanda 24 International Michael Oakeshott conference, University of Hull, September 2015 14 Queen Mary welcomes two new professors to the School of Politics and International Relations 14 UPCOMING EVENTS New appointments and degrees at Sussex 14 Newcastle goes from strength to strength 15 Upcoming Events 25 The latest from the School of Politics & IR at the University of Nottingham 15

SCHOOLS SPECIALIST GROUPS Can young people go from anti-politics to pro-politics? 26 American Politics Colloquium at the US Embassy PSA Speakers in Schools Programme continues 26 was a day to remember 16 Students From Tooting’s Graveney School Win Ethnopolitics Specialist Group co-sponsor workshop in Belfast 16 PSA Student Video Competition 27 British Leaders Series launched at the House of Commons 17 CEP Specialist Group’s 5th Annual Conference in Moscow 17 Leader of new Women’s Equality Party speaks at PSA Greek Politics Specialist Group announces Sixth-Form Conference 28 competition winners 18 PSA responds to DfE consultation on the future of A-level Politics 28

Editorial Information Rosie Campbell Political Studies Association Chief Executive Officer: To advertise in this Newsletter, Editor 113a Jermyn Street Helena Djurkovic please contact Sandra McDonagh Email: [email protected] London SW1Y 6HJ at [email protected] Membership Secretary: Sandra McDonagh Design Tel: 020 7321 2545 Doug MacKay Jamie Ralph Registered Charity No. 1071825; Fax: 0191 222 3499 Deeson Group Assistant Editor Registered Company with limited liability Email: [email protected] deeson.co.uk Email: [email protected] in England and Wales, No. 3628986

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 2 16/12/2015 14:51 3 The night in photos:

Professor John Benyon (University of Leicester) Labour’s Harriet Harman was honoured with received an award for a Lifetime Contribution to the Lifetime Achievement in Politics award the PSA The Innovation in Teaching Politics award went to Dr Iain MacKenzie, Dr Adrian Pabst and Dr Stefan Rossbach from the University of Kent who are pictured receiving their award from Peter Kellner of YouGov.

CEO of Manchester City Council Sir Howard The 2015 Journalist of the Year, Isabel Bernstein picked up the Influencing Government Hardman with Jon Snow and the BBC’s Professor John Curtice was the PSA's Political Communicator for the second time, having award. Pictured here with Jon Snow and Lord Diplomatic Correspondent, Bridget Kendall first received the award in 2004. Robin Butler

Academics, MPs and Journalists among those honoured at PSA Awards 2015 continued from page 1 award recipients on the night included actor, comedian and television personality Sandi Toksvig and the CEO of Manchester City Council Sir Howard Bernstein. BBC Parliament recorded the Awards Dinner and it was first shown on Saturday 5 December. It can be watched back on the BBC iPlayer (http:// goo.gl/mI8bww) and is usually repeated over the Christmas period. The PSA wishes to thank the sponsors of the 2015 Awards: Wiley- Blackwell, Routledge, SAGE Publications, Elsevier and YouGov. A special Sandi Toksvig was announced as the recipient of The winner of the Lifetime Achievement in the Political Satire award. Pictured here with Jon Politics award Harriet Harman MP with Iain thanks must also go to Danielle Bailey, the PSA Events and Marketing Snow and Baroness Catherine Ashton Watson (BBC) and Jon Snow. Manager, for organising the event.

The full list of winners is below: Parliamentarian of the Year – Dr Sarah Wollaston MP Lifetime Achievement in Politics – Harriet Harman MP Rebel of the Year – Douglas Carswell MP Democratic Innovation – Bite the Ballot Best Election Campaigner – Nicola Sturgeon MSP Journalist of the Year – Isabel Hardman Broadcaster of the Year – James Landale

Enlightening the Public – David Cowling Professor Jane Green (University of Manchester) The W.J.M Mackenzie Book Prize was won by receiving the Research Communicator award Professor Michael Kenny (QMUL). Pictured Political Satire – Sandy Toksvig from Jon Snow and journalist Steve Richards here with Ben Bradshaw MP and Jon Snow. Influencing Government – Sir Howard Bernstein Special Recognition Award – Professor Sarah Childs Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime Contribution to Political Studies – Professor Anthony King Political Studies Communicator – Professor John Curtice Research Communicator – Professor Jane Green Innovation in Teaching Politics – Dr Iain MacKenzie, Dr Stefan Rossbach and Dr Adrian Pabst Lifetime Contribution to the Political Studies Association – Professor John Benyon

W.J.M. Mackenzie Book Prize – Professor Michael Kenny Douglas Carswell MP was the PSA’s Rebel of the Professor Sarah Childs (University of Year. He was presented his award by Michael Bristol) received a Special Recognition for The Politics of English Nationhood Crick of Channel 4 News who is pictured here award. She was presented with her prize alongside Carswell and Jon Snow. by the BBC’s Carolyn Quinn. psa.ac.uk

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th 66 PSA ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PSA members Registration now open in the news th PROMOTING THE GLOBAL STUDY OF POLITICS for the PSA 66 Annual If you or one of your colleagues has been featured in the media recently, please let us know by e-mailing our Communications International Conference - Officer Jamie Ralph [email protected] or by tweeting us @PolStudiesAssoc GREAT NEW BENEFITS FOR PSA MEMBERS Politics and the Good Life TOBY JAMES appeared on The Today Programme on BBC RADIO 4 to As part of the new publishing partnership between the PSA and SAGE, discuss a response written by him and ALISTAIR CLARK to Eric Pickles’ 21 - 23 March 2016 Electoral Fraud Report. from January 2016 PSA members will have free access to an exciting Hilton Brighton Metropole #PSA16 range of new benefits. LIAM MCCARTHY spoke to BBC ULSTER, BBC NOTTINGHAM Book your place now for the PSA Annual International Conference and BBC SCOTLAND on behalf of the Politics and Policy in East by visiting the conference website. Be sure to register early to Asia Specialist Group to give his reflections on the visit of Chinese In addition to the PSA journals, PSA members will receive free online take advantage of the ‘early bird’ registration rates, available until President Xi Jinping to the UK. access via the PSA website to the following benefits. Monday 1 February 2016. We also advise booking your travel and accommodation early - details available on the website. AURELIEN MONDON in his role as convenor of the French Politics Specialist Group was interviewed by the BBC and FRANCE24 Conference highlights include: amongst others about the terrorist attacks in Paris. • Plenary Lecture from Professor Shirin Rai (University of Warwick) • Plenary Lecture from Professor Lisa Disch (University of Michigan) PHIL COWLEY appeared on BBC’s THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT to • Guest Lecture from Íñigo Errejón Galván, General Secretary of argue against lowering the voting age to 16. SAGE Politics and International Relations Journals Podemos (Spain) • Annual Leonard Schapiro Lecture from Professor Simona Piattoni, MERYL KENNY wrote an article in NEWSWEEK detailing what the Full text access to a selection of high quality journals from SAGE’s Political Science, Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy UK could learn from Canada after Canada’s new Prime Minister Justin International relations and Public Administration journals programme including Public Policy Trudeau appointed a new cabinet featuring an equal number of men and Administration and Teaching Public Administration. Postgraduate Access Fund and women. She also appeared on Woman’s Hour on BBC RADIO 4 to Applications for the Postgraduate Access Fund are now open to discuss the DfE’s plans to scrap Feminism from A-level Politics. PSA Postgraduate members who have submitted a paper proposal for the conference. For further details and to apply please visit the website – deadline for applications is Friday 15 January. Adam Matthew Archives Direct

Childcare at the conference Archives Direct is a suite of collections sourced from The National Following a trial at the 2015 conference in Sheffield the PSA plans Archives, UK – the UK government’s official archive. to offer an onsite childcare facility for delegates. Places must be booked in advance and the deadline for bookings is Monday 1 The digitised archive of 19th and 20th century British Government February, if you would like further information please contact papers contains over 2 million pages of highly relevant primary [email protected]. source content from some of the most political periods in history,

We look forward to welcoming you to Brighton in March! ■ Aurelien Mondon Liam McCarthy including Foreign Office files, Macmillan Cabinet papers and ‘Women in the National Archives’. For more information please view the video! http://www.amdigital.co.uk/m-collections/collection/archives-direct/videos

Simply visit the URL below to browse the available Archives Direct titles http://www.amdigital.co.uk/m-collections/collection/archives-direct

Meryl Kenny

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 4 16/12/2015 14:52 NDM 20024 PSA Membership Leaflet.indd 1 30/10/2015 18:27 PROMOTING THE GLOBAL STUDY OF POLITICS

GREAT NEW BENEFITS FOR PSA MEMBERS

As part of the new publishing partnership between the PSA and SAGE, from January 2016 PSA members will have free access to an exciting range of new benefits. In addition to the PSA journals, PSA members will receive free online access via the PSA website to the following benefits.

SAGE Politics and International Relations Journals Full text access to a selection of high quality journals from SAGE’s Political Science, International relations and Public Administration journals programme including Public Policy and Administration and Teaching Public Administration.

Adam Matthew Archives Direct Archives Direct is a suite of collections sourced from The National Archives, UK – the UK government’s official archive. The digitised archive of 19th and 20th century British Government papers contains over 2 million pages of highly relevant primary source content from some of the most political periods in history, including Foreign Office files, Macmillan Cabinet papers and ‘Women in the National Archives’. For more information please view the video! http://www.amdigital.co.uk/m-collections/collection/archives-direct/videos

Simply visit the URL below to browse the available Archives Direct titles http://www.amdigital.co.uk/m-collections/collection/archives-direct

PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 5 16/12/2015 14:52 NDM 20024 PSA Membership Leaflet.indd 1 30/10/2015 18:27 6 Professor Baroness Haleh Afshar delivers PSA Annual Academic Lecture By Hannah Kershaw, Department of Politics, University of York On Thursday 26th of November 2015, Professor Baroness Haleh Afshar spoke to a captivated audience at the University of York on the topic of ‘Islamophobia: Refracted reflections of Muslim Women and the dilemma of 'otherisation’’. She was joined by an impressive panel consisting of Dr Parveen Akhtar (University of Bradford), Dr Joanna de Groot (University of York), and Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards (Queen’s University Belfast). After introductions by both Professor Tony Heron (University of York) and Professor Angelia Wilson (University of Manchester), Afshar opened with a brief but passionate mention of the question that was on everyone’s mind on the week of the lecture: should Britain join France in bombing Syria after the terrorist attacks on Paris by ISIL on 13th November? She argued that the problem with military retaliation is that Muslim lives are considered to be dispensable, or as she describes it, “war-fodder”. The backlash from these attacks in Europe means, Afshar continued, that many Muslims are approached with suspicion on an everyday basis and are left with a disquieting sense of non-belonging. Narrowing in on the experience of Muslim women, Afshar recounted that when she asked in Parliament what groups have been created to support the concerns of Muslim women, she was guided to one that specialises in combating female genital mutilation (FGM). Although an important cause, Afshar expressed frustration at how a cultural practice that primarily affects women in North Africa was assumed to be of concern to all Muslim women. She further argued that the everyday stereotyping of Muslims has been ignored. For instance, whilst Britain boasts of a great diversity within the fashion world, a Muslim woman choosing to adopt the hijab or burqa, for example, is seen as a potential enemy. After Afshar’s fascinating lecture, comments were taken from the panel. Dr Akhtar stated that she was glad to see some recognition of Muslim women in the mainstream media, such as Nadiya Hussain, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, being the 2015 winner BBC One’s The Great British Bake Off. However, she argued, there is still a way to go in breaking down inherited cultural barriers for Muslim women in the diaspora. Dr de Groot offered some philosophically relevant questions, such as how do Muslim women choose to perform their identity; who has the authority to say who is Muslim and who is not; and how much choice do Muslim women really have in light of cultural factors. Professor Milton-Edwards drew the comments to a close by bringing the debates up to date, suggesting that more discussions needed to be had about the British media’s obsession with Muslims, and how we must acknowledge that Muslims, who are often scapegoated, suffer equally from big social and economic changes in Britain. After a touching final statement by Professor Wilson, the event came to a close with a hearty round of applause and a continuation of the many lively discussions over a drinks reception. ■

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Total Exposure Shortlist Revealed

From April until October of this year, we asked members to submit • “The EU Referendum Bus” short pitches on their ideas for potential TV or radio programmes Beth Derks (University of East Anglia) based on research within the discipline. We were overwhelmed by • “Crazy Americans, Crazy Politics” the response to the Total Exposure initiative and we received a total Professor Angelia Wilson (University of Manchester) of 51 different pitches from members. • “Are you #F***ing off? Are you #F**king aware*”: Online Literacy The shortlisting process wasn’t easy. The pitches that we received for Effective Political and Public Engagement” were both innovative and creative and reading through them all was a Dr Mark Shephard (University of Strathclyde). very enjoyable experience. We asked four shortlisting judges to choose • "The Fear of Secrecy" ten pitches that were worthy of going forward to the Grand Pitching Dr Owen Thomas (University of Exeter) Event in January 2016 where the pitch authors will face an expert panel • "Corruption - The Challenge of Our Time?" of commissioning editors. Such was the quality of submissions that Professor Dan Hough (University of Sussex) the judges found it very difficult to decide on just ten so they have • "The Descent of Animals" narrowed it down to 14 pitches in total. Dr Alasdair Cochrane (University of Sheffield) We can now reveal that the 14 chosen pitches, and the authors behind them who will be invited to present their pitch to the expert • "Everything you realise you didn't want to know about the EU" Dr Nick Startin (University of Bath) and Dr Simon Usherwood panel in January, are: (University of Surrey) • Where did all the good politicians go?” Professor Steven Fielding (University of Nottingham) Congratulations to all of the shortlisted authors and we will see you in London in January. • “What does the EU actually do?” Dr Matthew Wood (University of Sheffield) We are extremely grateful to all of those who submitted pitches. To those who have not been shortlisted on this occasion, we would • “Life After Politics” encourage you to get involved with Total Exposure again next year. Dr Dennis Grube (University of Tasmania) There were a number of pitches that were very unlucky not to get • “A World Made of Walls” shortlisted and the shortlisting panel commended the high quality Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Ulster University) of the ideas put forward by each and every member. • “The Story of the Falklands War - How Britain Fell In Love with the The shortlisting panel, who we would like to thank sincerely for Infantry Soldier” assessing the pitches at this first stage, were Jonathan Brunert (BBC Dr Helen Parr (Keele University) producer and member of the Total Exposure Expert Commissioning • “How to build a party” Panel), Sarah Nichols (ESRC), David Parker (award-winning television Rebecca Partos, Jess Garland, Jake Watts and Sam Power (University producer) and Professor Matthew Flinders (Chair of the PSA). of Sussex) The Total Exposure Grand Pitching Event will take place on 28 • “Drone World: Power, Geopolitics and Infantry” January 2016 at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), London. Dr Kyle Grayson (Newcastle University) Please direct all queries or comments about Total Exposure to [email protected] ■ Professor Karen Johnston elected as Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

The PSA is delighted to announce that one of its members, Professor Karen Johnston (University of Strathclyde), has been awarded the honour of Fellow by the Academy of Social Sciences. Professor Johnston is one of the UK’s leading scholars in public administration, public governance and public policy with a particular emphasis on gender. We would like to offer our congratulations to her on this admirable achievement. 46 leading social scientists in total were conferred and the full list of new Fellows can be viewed at https://goo.gl/V22B2q ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 8 16/12/2015 14:52 9 Postgraduate Professional Development Day at Sussex

On Friday 20 November the PSA’s Postgraduate Network held its annual Professional Development Conference at the University of Sussex. The day featured four sessions, starting off with a panel on mental health and postgraduate study. Dr Emily Robinson (University of Sussex), Jess Garland (PhD candidate, University of Sussex), and Jeremy Christey (University of Sussex Counselling Service) all shared their experiences, advice, and insight on this vital topic. After lunch, the afternoon kicked off with a panel on publishing, ‘Publish or Be Damned.’ Professor Aleks Szczerbiak (University of Sussex), Professor Paul Webb (University of Sussex), and Dr Mark Bennister (Canterbury Christchurch University) offered their advice and thoughts on attending conferences and both journal and book publishing. This was followed by a thought-provoking talk on post- PhD job options by Dr Libby McEnhill (The Work Foundation). The day finished off with an invigorating group discussion on the ‘impact agenda’ and how this affects our current work and future careers. The PGN would like to thank all of the postgraduate students who participated in the day as well as our fantastic speakers. The PSA PGN Committee would like to reiterate that we are actively seeking suggestions and comments from all members for future events and activities. We encourage any members wishing to do so, to contact us at [email protected] . ■

PSA to hold Annual Assembly at Brighton Conference The PSA is changing… We’re opening up and looking to involve all our members in how we’re run. Our first ever Annual Assembly is an opportunity for members to feed into the work of the PSA and drive the future of the Association. Whether you have concerns, ideas, or just thoughts in general about the current state of YOUR professional association, we encourage you to come along and participate in this unique open forum.

Raise the issues that matter to you… Let us know the questions you’d like answered or the issues you’d like discussed by posting them on http://www.psa.ac.uk/psa-annual-assembly-2016 by 14th March 2016. These questions will be considered and debated at the Assembly.

The PSA is your professional body, so join us for a lively discussion… The event will take place on 22nd of March 2016 from 5pm – 6:30pm at the Hilton Brighton Metropole where drinks and nibbles will be served.

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In Conversation with John McDonnell at Birkbeck

John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor and former student at Birkbeck, spoke to staff and students at the university in an event organised by the politics department. He was questioned by Joni Lovenduski over gender representation and came out in support of legislative quotas for women and job shares, though he challenged the ‘19th century’ idea that the top Shadow Cabinet jobs such as Foreign secretary were still the most important. He acknowledged that the Parliamentary Labour party was not wholly in favour of its new leadership but promised that the party would remain a broad church and democratic, with space for dissent and different views. The new activists who had joined since September, he hoped, would radicalise the party. There were then more questions on a whole range of topics, from whether Labour could build a winning electoral coalition to dealing with rebels, press regulation and sacrificing principles for power. He argued that a winning coalition did exist among the majority of anti-Conservative voters if the message was right, but felt the first round of elections in Scotland, London and local government in May 2016 may be tough. Party rebels would face a barrage of ‘tea and sympathy’ and the public would be reached not through the mainstream press but on the stump and through social media. He suggested more change was coming, supporting a PR elected House of Lords of the regions and initiatives around national savings bank and a series of gender based policy reviews. John McDonnell was an MSc. student at Birkbeck between 1978 and 1981 under the great Bernard Crick, before entering politics and becoming Deputy Leader of the Greater London Council under Ken Livingstone and standing for Parliament in 1997. Studying politics at Birkbeck had given him a rounded, deeper understanding of politics and, he said, a fear of essay deadlines. To hear more listen to the podcast here http:// backdoorbroadcasting.net/2015/11/in-conversation-with-john- mcdonnell/ ■ Aston welcomes new lecturers Aston University has welcomed two new Lecturers in Politics and International Relations as part of its expansion of the subject group. Dr Anne Jenichen joins from the University of Bremen, and is a specialist in the field of religion and politics, and also gender and international relations. Dr Patrycja Rozbicka joins from the Ruhr University of Bochum, and is an expert on interest group Patrycja Rozbicka Anne Jenichen politics. ■

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The Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool continues its recent growth, with the appointment of new staff this academic year. The department has also secured further recognition for its research and public engagement activities. Three lecturers took up posts in September, building on the department’s core specialisms in British and International Politics. Dr Andrew Crines specialises in rhetoric and oratory. Dr Raul Gomez focuses on comparative voting behaviour and public opinion. Dr Nicholas Lees brings expertise on conflict, inequality and democracy in global politics. News from the The new term also brought news of further recognition for Professor Jon Tonge’s recent work. His recent book, 'Democratic Unionist Party: Department of Politics From Protest to Power' (Oxford University Press, 2014), co-authored with Maire Braniff (Ulster), Thomas Hennessey (Canterbury Christ Church), James McAuley (Huddersfield) and Sophie Whiting (Bath), won at the University of the Political Studies Association of Ireland’s Brian Farrell Prize for the best Politics book of 2014. In addition, Professor Tonge’s ‘Comparative Liverpool Peace Processes’ (Polity Press, 2014) has been listed by the American Library Association as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2015. Meanwhile, the entire department were awarded a University of Liverpool ‘Celebrating Success’ award in the Civic Contribution category on 2nd December. This award recognises the extensive media contributions made by staff and the department’s extensive public engagement activities, particularly around the 2015 General Election. These activities included an all-night general election results event with commentary from a panel of experts, including the PSA’s Raul Gomes Andrew Crines Nicholas Lees Programme Development Officer James Ludley. ■

Centre for the Study of Democracy celebrates its 25th Anniversary: Doing and Thinking Democracy Differently

On Saturday 7th November over 300 people participated in a conference at the University of Westminster on ‘Thinking and Doing Democracy Differently’. The event was organised to celebrate the Centre for the Study of Democracy’s (CSD) 25th Anniversary. CSD, based in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster prides itself on being at the leading edge of innovative and critical research on politics and international relations. The Centre was established in 1989 by the political theorist John Keane and has been the intellectual home for well-known political theorists such as Chantal Mouffe and Bhikhu Parekh. Over those years it has hosted Encounters and Annual Lectures with some of the major public intellectuals of our time, including Charles Taylor, Stuart Hall, Quentin Skinner, Ashis Nandy, Bruno Latour, Arundhati Roy, Richard Rorty, Michael Walzer, the Dalai Lama, and Judith Butler Professor Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak The ‘Doing and Thinking Democracy Differently’ conference was transparency and the influence of Carl Schmitt on radical democracy. an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the diversity of work The conference was rounded off by an excellent keynote lecture undertaken currently at the Centre. A series of panels of distinguished from Professor Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (Columbia University), speakers from within and beyond the University ran during the day one of the world’s most renowned post-colonial theorists. She spoke on new protest movements in Europe, the undoing of the Arab Spring, engagingly on informal markets and the challenges of marginalisation exclusion in post-colonial democracies, populism in Africa, the practice in contemporary democratic systems. of resilience, new forms of governance and digital politics, the ideal of For more information on the conference, visit http://csd25.org/ ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 11 16/12/2015 14:52 12 Lots happening at PAIS, University of Warwick The Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick is pleased to report continued success and News from the expansion. PAIS ranked 4th in REF2014 on ‘research intensity’ and recorded 92% overall satisfaction in the 2015 National Student Survey. In the 2015 Times/Sunday Times ranking PAIS moved up from 6th to 3rd University of place. Recent appointments over the past academic year have further strengthened research and teaching across our four clusters of core activity (International Political Economy, International Relations and Oxford Security, Political Theory, and Comparative Politics and Democratisation) and we are delighted to welcome the following new colleagues: Dr Oxford Spring School in Advanced Quantitative Mathew Coakley (Teaching Fellow), Dr Julian Gruin (Assistant Professor), Methods opens for registration Dr Charlotte Heath-Kelly (Assistant Professor), Professor Brian Jacobs Oxford is pleased to announce the re-launching of its flagship (Teaching Fellow), Dr Briony Jones (Assistant Professor), Dr Georg Spring School courses in quantitative and qualitative methods for Lofflmann (Teaching Fellow), Dr William Margulies (Research Fellow), social scientists. Offering students from universities across the UK Nina Perkowski (Research Fellow), Dr Chris Rossdale (Teaching Fellow), Dr and abroad a unique venue to learn cutting-edge methods in the Reiko Shindo (Teaching Fellow), and Dr Dave Webber (Teaching Fellow). social sciences, the first Oxford Spring School course will run for five Head of Department, Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, said: “We are a days from 11 – 15 April 2016. theoretically and methodologically pluralist Department with very high Students will be offered a variety of courses, which place the ambitions for the future for all our staff and students - come and visit us different data analysis techniques within broader disciplinary trends in our new building at the heart of the Warwick campus!”. towards mixed-methods research designs. Dr Vicki Squire, Principal Investigator on the ESRC urgency grant ‘Crossing the Mediterranean Sea by Boat’, presented preliminary research Course options include: findings to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Social Science and • Computerised Text Analysis Policy on the theme of “the migration crisis” on 28th October 2015. • Causal Inference Maurice Wren, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, was presenting • Process Tracing alongside Dr Squire to an audience of MPs and representatives from • Survey Design the House of Lords, as well as civil servants and representatives from • Spatial Data Analysis different think tanks and interested organisations. A number of key • Data Visualization findings were raised, and a summary of these can be read here: http:// www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/news/unauthorised_migration_to_ Researchers using both quantitative and qualitative methods the_eu.pdf are strongly encouraged to apply, and bursaries are available for Dr Philippe Blanchard has been nominated Chair of the Academic postgraduate students from UK universities. Advisory Board (AAB) of the 10-year old ECPR Methods School. The AAB Registration for the Spring School is now open, and closes on 8 advises the School about the choice of courses and instructors, teaching January 2016. formats and more generally the School's strategy. This year, the Methods For more information and to register, please see www.politics.ox.ac. School gathered 800 students over 80 courses in Ljubljana (Summer-- uk/spring-school/spring-school.html Budapest from 2016) and Bamberg, Germany (Winter). This is one of the biggest schools and the one proposing the widest range of courses, from Google and Reuters Institute agree grant for major ethnography to statistics, variable- to case-based methods, including expansion of Digital News Report’s coverage of Europe recent developments in focus groups, experiments, process-tracing, web The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, based at the scraping and big data, GIS or multi-method research. ■ Department of Politics and International Relations, has recently received increased funding from Google in order to expand their groundbreaking Digital News Report. The Reuters Institute Digital News Report is based on the largest international comparative survey of the major trends in digital news consumption. This unique independent academic report has been supported by a wide range of academic and industry partners, since its creation in 2012.

Google’s increased funding over the next three years will allow Mathew Coakley Nina Perkowski Reiko Shindo the Reuters Institute to extend the report’s coverage of Europe to 20 countries in 2016 with the aim of moving to 30 in 2017/18 For more information, please see: http://goo.gl/w8EdzM ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 12 16/12/2015 14:52 13 CIAP2015 held at University of Leeds The first Conference for Interdisciplinary Approaches to Politics (CIAP), was held on Friday 16 October 2015 at the University of Leeds. The theme was ‘Cooperation - between Moral Obligation and Political Responsibility’. Keynote speeches were given by Dr Garrett Brown, University of Sheffield (‘Cosmopolitics: Between moral obligation and political necessity’), and Professor Patrick Hayden, University of St Andrews Professor Kevin Theakston, head of POLIS, introducing Garrett Brown (University of (‘Political Friendship, the Web of Cooperation, and Befriending the Sheffield). World’). The interdisciplinary nature of the conference was not just reflected in the two keynote speeches, but also in the conference panels themselves. CIAP2015 featured two conference tracks: one focusing on theoretical perspectives on cooperation, with panels on Cosmopolitanism, Friendship, and Political Theory, and the second track focusing on cooperation in International Relations with panels on Conflict & Cooperation, Development, and International Cooperation. The conference closed with panels on Cosmopolitan Narratives and legal perspectives on cooperation. There was a great balance between early career researchers and established researches whom presented their work. CIAP2015 was organised by the White Rose Research Network for interdisciplinary approaches to politics, and convened by Yuri van Hoef, Gisli Vogler, and Joshua Hobbs. Sponsors included the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Leeds, and the White Rose research network. For more information on the research network, or if you are interested to join, please contact Gisli Vogler at [email protected]. Tentatively, CIAP2016 will focus on Emotions in Politics, and the The panellists on Friendship. From left to right: George Cooke (University of Colombo), Federica Martiny (University of Macerata), Hans Meijer (University of Groningen), James first call for panels will be sent out shortly. For more information, Simpkin (University of Leeds), William Allchorn (University of Leeds), and Graham M. Smith please visit ciap2015.wordpress.com. ■ (chair).

New staff at Kent & EPOP 2016 Three new staff have joined the School of Politics and International Bojan Savic Yvan Guichaoua Relations (SPIR) at the University of Kent. Dr Laura Sudulich has joined the School’s Canterbury base and Dr Yvan Guichaoua and Dr Bojan Savic have joined the School’s Brussels centre. In other news, the annual conference of the Elections, Parties and Public Opinion (EPOP) group will be held at the University of Kent, 9-11 September 2016. The conference is the largest annual gathering of academics, research students and policy makers interested in political parties, elections and electoral behaviour. Further details can be found at the conference website: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/epop/ ■ Laura Sudulich

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 13 16/12/2015 14:52 14 Queen Mary welcomes two new professors to the School of Politics and International Relations Two internationally renowned scholars, Philip Cowley and Jef Huysmans, will join the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London in January. International Michael Professor Adam Fagan, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations welcomed Cowley and Huysmans: “We are delighted to welcome both Jef and Phillip to the School of Politics and International Relations Oakeshott conference, at QMUL as part of our on-going expansion and development. Their respective expertise in British Politics and Critical Security will greatly University of Hull, enhance our existing strengths in both sub-fields of the discipline." Philip Cowley leaves the University of Nottingham after ten years where most notably his research centred on party political voting September 2015 behaviour in the House of Commons. In addition to his research, Cowley along with Mark Stuart co-runs Revolts, a website dedicated to By Noël O’Sullivan, Colin Tyler and Jim Connelly reporting on votes in the UK Parliament, and is a regular contributor Hull University’s Centre for Idealism and the New Liberalism (CINL), to the Guardian newspaper. His forthcoming publication co-authored in the School of Politics, Philosophy and International Studies, hosted with Dennis Kavanagh, ‘The British General Election of 2015’ (Palgrave the biennial conference of the Michael Oakeshott Association, 17-19 Macmillan), will be available from 16 Dec 2015. September 2015. Fifty delegates attended from four continents, more Jef Huysmans joins QMUL from the Open University where he was than three-quarters having come from outside the UK. Following the Professor of Security Studies and Director of the Centre for Citizenship, conference dinner, Professor Terry Nardin (National University of Identity and Governance (CCIG) at the Faculty of Social Sciences (OU). Singapore) delivered the first annual Oakeshott Memorial Lecture, His experience also includes six years of teaching and research at the ‘Oakeshott as a moralist’, funded by a generous donation from University of Kent. He is currently Co-editor in Chief of International Lord Bhikhu Parekh. Among the plethora of topics discussed at the Political Sociology. Currently he is working on security and democracy conference, there were papers on Oakeshott’s interpretation of the in times of surveillance, the political significance of everyday practices, limited state in terms of a commitment to a formal ideal of ‘civil and the political life of methods. His most recent book is ‘Security association’ based on the rule of law; Oakeshott’s influence in the Unbound: Enacting Democratic Limits’ (Routledge, 2014). ■ Far East, where his ideal of civil association is sometimes regarded as offering a non-authoritarian means by which traditional societies there might accommodate the increasing social pluralism brought by modernization; and Oakeshott’s seminal contributions to the philosophy of history and method. The CINL is grateful for several generous donations from members of the Michael Oakeshott Association, who jointly hosted the event. http://www2.hull.ac.uk/fass/politics/research/research_centres_ and_groups/cinl/michael_oakeshott_association.aspx ■ Philip Cowley Jef Huysmans New appointments and degrees at Sussex Politics at Sussex continues to grow with the recent appointments of Liz David-Barrett as Lecturer in Politics and Claire Annesley as Professor of Politics. Liz’s appointment further enhances the department’s expertise in the study of corruption. Claire joins as the new Head of Department. In September 2015 the Department of Politics welcomed its first cohort of students onto two new degrees: the MA in International Politics, convened by Kai Oppermann, and the MA in European Politics and Policy, convened by Francis McGowan. ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 14 16/12/2015 14:52 15 Newcastle goes from strength to strength

Exciting times ahead for Politics at Newcastle University as the viable female candidacy, women’s news media coverage, and how department is delighted to announce the recruitment of four new survey mode influences inferences made in electoral politics is being members of staff this summer to further cement their strengths published in journals such as Politics & Gender and Public Opinion in Governance and Political Organisations, International Politics, Quarterly. and Political Philosophy. Stephen Elstub joins as Lecturer in British Jemima specialises in social and political theory, especially feminist Politics, Maarja Lühiste and Jemima Repo as Lecturers in the Politics theory and biopolitics. Her book, ‘The Biopolitics of Gender’ was of Gender, and Katharine Rietig as Lecturer in International Politics. published by Oxford University Press in 2015. Her work on gender Stephen joins Newcastle from the University of the West of theory, gender equality policy, population governance, celebrity politics, Scotland. His research interests are on deliberative democracy, citizen and violence has been published in journals such as Feminist Theory, participation, public opinion and political communication. He is the Social Politics, European Journal of Women’s Studies, Alternatives, Theory author of ‘Towards a Deliberative and Associational Democracy’ & Event, and International Feminist Journal of Politics. (Edinburgh University Press 2008), editor of ‘Democracy in Theory and Katharine’s research interests focus on agency in global Practice’ (Routledge 2012) and co-editor of ‘Deliberative Democracy: environmental and climate change governance, in particular the role Issues and Cases’ (Edinburgh University Press 2014). He is also the of knowledge, beliefs, learning and policy entrepreneurs. Her work associate editor of the journal Representation. on the influence of non-governmental actors, multilevel governance Maarja’s current research focuses on gender differences in political via international negotiations and climate policy integration has pathways, campaign activity, media coverage, and electoral success. been published in the journals Policy Sciences, Global Governance, She currently holds a BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grant on International Environmental Agreements and Environmental Policy and ‘Gender, Campaign Coverage, and Mobilisation Effects’. Her work on Governance. ■

Jemima Repo Katharine Rietig Maarja Lühiste Stephen Elstub

The latest from the School of Politics & IR at the University of Nottingham

Anti-Corruption workshop participation Crisis’. A second volume, Janne Mende’s ‘A Human Right to Culture and Paul Heywood and Nieves Zuniga participated in a workshop organized Identity’, is to be published shortly. by the Legatum Institute, in partnership with Democracy Lab-Foreign Policy, ‘Curbing Corruption: Ideas that Work’, in London on the 17-18 New MA programme encourages Asian links September 2015. The aim of the workshop was to analyse and discuss The new MA in Asian and International Studies - linked to the Institute of interventions against corruption which have produced positive results and Asia and Pacific Studies -started running for the first time in 2015-16. This identify ideas that work and don’t work in the fight against corruption. The innovative degree programme allows students to study on Nottingham’s participants in the workshop were academics, civil society organizations, UK campus in the first semester and then move to either the Chinese journalists. In this workshop they presented the successful case of La Paz, (Ningbo) or Malaysian (Kuala Lumpur) campuses for their second in Bolivia. In addition, they published in Foreign Policy the following article semester. It allows students to immerse themselves in the countries of the entitled ‘Cleaning Up La Paz. How Bolivia’s biggest city freed itself from region and to take language options if required. Through the core module, a ubiquitous culture of corruption’, available here: http://foreignpolicy. Global Asia, it teaches students about the countries of Asia and the com/2015/09/11/cleaning-up-la-paz-bolivia-corruption/ relations between them (and between the rest of the world). ■

New book series sees first publication The Rowman & Littlefield International book series, ‘Studies in Social and Global Justice’, edited by Ben Holland and Tony Burns of the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, has seen the first volume in the series, co-edited by Andreas Bieler, one of the Directors of the Centre, be published in July 2015 and is entitled ‘Labour and Transnational Action in Times of

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 15 16/12/2015 14:52 16 American Politics Colloquium at the US Embassy was a day to remember

The American Politics Specialist Group hosted an exceptional gathering an intellectual mentor to many on Capitol Hill in years gone by while of academics, students, politicians, researchers and others at the US they also revealed that the US hoped the UK would lead the EU rather Embassy in London on Friday the 13th of November. Organised by than leave it. Overall, the event proved a very exciting warm-up to the Clodagh Harrington (De Montfort University) and J David Morgan impending presidential election for lovers of US politics in the UK. ■ (Open University), those in attendance heard from a number of US politics experts on issues ranging from the economic crisis to gun control to the upcoming presidential election. Opening the colloquium, Head of US Embassy Political Section Tom Williams offered delegates an interesting overview on a range of current issues concerning US diplomacy and foreign relations. Baroness Williams of Crosby then followed with a typically candid, no-holds-barred discussion on comparative US and UK political cultures – covering both domestic and foreign policy. Baroness Williams then presented The Neustadt Book Prize to Professor Steven Casey (LSE) for his book ‘When Soldiers Fall: How Americans Have Confronted Combat Losses from World War I to Afghanistan’. Rounding off a packed morning, Dr James D Boys (Richmond University) offered his thoughts and predictions for the forthcoming US elections based on his most recent research taken from his book ‘Hillary Rising: The Politics, Persona and Policies of a New American Dynasty’. After lunch, Professor Edward Ashbee of Copenhagen Business DMU students outside the US Embassy - Ghulam Mouheddin, Mwanza Kamola, School talked about the financial crisis in the US explaining how fiscal Michael Addis and Solomon Inegbenebor consolidation had moved at a much faster pace in the US in comparison to the UK. Many of the issues of US monetary and fiscal policy mentioned by Professor Ashbee feature in his latest book ‘The Right and the Recession’ which outlines the emergence of new tensions in the US due to the financial crash. The event was rounded off by a fascinating discussion with Jim Moran (Democrat), who served Virginia’s 8th congressional district from 1991 to 2015 and Tom Petri (Republican), who represented Wisconsin's 6th District for 35 years. The former congressmen spoke about how Tony Blair was Jim Moran Tom Petri Ethnopolitics Specialist Group co-sponsor workshop in Belfast

On 6-7 November, the Ethnopolitics Specialist Group co-sponsored Funded by the Social a two-day workshop entitled “Power-Sharing Pacts and the Women, Sciences and Humanities Peace, and Security Agenda: Constructive Engagements” organized Research Council of Canada by Dr Allison McCulloch (Brandon University) and Dr Siobhan Byrne and supplemented by the (University of Alberta) at the Centre for the Study of Ethnic Conflict, PSA Specialist Group “Pushing the Boundaries” funding, the workshop Queen’s University Belfast. The workshop explored the extent to which brought together scholars, postgraduate students and policy practitioners, power-sharing theories and practices can address new challenges with participants from Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, emanating from the women, peace and security agenda, as embodied in and Cyprus. Fionnuala Ni Aolain gave the keynote address while Christine UN Security Council Resolution 1325. With 2015 marking the 15-year Bell, Siobhan Byrne, Maria-Adriana Deiana, Olga Demetriou, Maria anniversary of UNSCR 1325, the workshop addressed a number of Hadjipavlou, Caroline Hartzell, Bernadette Hayes, Allison McCulloch timely questions, including: ‘To what extent can power-sharing theories and John Nagle gave paper presentations, as did several outstanding and practices accommodate the women, peace and security agenda?’, postgraduate students. The workshop also featured a policy roundtable ‘What impact has women, peace, and security activism and advocacy with politicians and community organisers from Northern Ireland. The had on the negotiation and implementation of power-sharing pacts in panels evoked lively conversation on the constructive potential and war-torn societies?’ and ‘For societies emerging from conflict, how does enduring challenges of integrating the women, peace and security agenda power-shring and the women, peace and security agenda intersect with with ethnopolitical power-sharing. Byrne and McCulloch plan to assemble transitional justice process?’. an edited collection based on the conference proceedings. ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 16 16/12/2015 14:52 17 CEP Specialist Group’s 5th Annual Conference in Moscow

British Leaders Series launched at the House of Commons The PSA Political Leadership Research Group launched books on British party leaders at the State Office of Mr. Speaker in the By Umut Korkut (Glasgow Caledonian University) House of Commons on 9th September 2015. PSA Comparative European Politics held their 5th Annual As part of a collaboration between the University of East Anglia Conference at Lomonosov Moscow State University on 19- and Queen Mary University of London, the two comprehensive 20 November. The conference was entitled “Toward a Broader volumes look respectively at British Liberal Leaders, British Discipline: Russia, Europe, and New Possibilities for the Study of Conservative Leaders and were edited by Charles Clarke, Toby Comparative European Politics”. It brought together a pan-European James, Tim Bale and Patrick Diamond. A third book on British Liberal team of PSA members from UK, Greece, Italy, Sweden, France, Leaders was also launched as part of the series, edited by the Liberal Turkey, and Poland with their Russian and Australian colleagues. History Group. On Day 1, our Russian colleagues welcomed us at their Department Chapters have been contributed by leading political biographers, at noon. After a tour of the university building, which is a part of one of including Anthony Seldon, Steve Richards, and John Rentoul, as the “seven sisters” palaces built in Moscow and Warsaw after the 2nd well as eminent historians David Howell, Kenneth Morgan, John World War, we started the conference at noon with the introduction Charmley and Thomas Otte. The books also include interviews, and welcome by PSA CEP international affairs co-ordinator Dr Gregg conducted by the series editors, with seven living former leaders, Bucken-Knapp of Gothenburg University and MSU Public Policy Faculty including Tony Blair and Nick Clegg. Vice Dean, Dr Alesander Livshin. We held four panels in the afternoon The series has already attracted considerable press interest. bringing comparative papers on European and Russian politics, social Extracts from the books were serialised in the Independent, and the policy, and media. The Dean, Vyacheslav Nikonov, gave the keynote series was featured on BBC Newsnight, BBC Hard Talk and Russia speech entitled “Russia in Europe, Russia with Europe, Russia vs. Europe” Today, as well as in the Guardian, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Daily shedding light on the Russian position on a variety of issues from Express, and Daily Mail, and regional outlets, the Eastern Daily Press Ukraine, ISIS, and Syria. and Mustard TV. On Day 2, the conference started in the morning and saw the debate Of ‘British Labour Leaders’, Alan Johnson MP commented: 'This continuing into issues of political change, political communication, book is an invaluable guide to the qualities and vulnerabilities of public policy, and multiculturalism and diversity in European politics previous leaders. Anyone interested in the dynamics of political at large and Russian politics. Overall, Day 2 offered a good insight into leadership, and how it is exercised in a party that was created to studies of Russian politics for the members of the group. challenge the very notion of deference, should read this important At the end of the PSA CEP conference, the Russian Political Studies and absorbing book.' Association invited the members of the group to take part at their Of ‘British Conservative Leaders’, Daniel Finkelstein noted 'This is annual conference taking place on 19-21 November. They have also a riveting book. It succeeds as a work of history – the best authors hosted a book launch of the edited volume ‘Discursive Governance in on their topic of expert knowledge. It succeeds in understanding the Politics, Policy, and Public Sphere’ (http://www.palgrave.com/page/ Conservative Party, its flexibility and understanding of power.' ■ detail/discursive-governance-in-politics-policy-and-public-sphere- umut-korkut/?K=9781137495778) to which the members of PSA CEP group contributed following their 3rd annual conference. Our Annual Conference in Moscow was a good opportunity to showcase our ongoing work and to better understand Russian politics through the contributions of Russian participants. Also, the sightseeing in Moscow was fascinating. The PSA CEP group will now be keen to include their Russian colleagues in general PSA activities and the PSA annual conference. We are already planning the 6th Annual Conference to be held in Turkey in November 2016. ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 17 16/12/2015 14:52 18 Greek Politics Specialist Group announces competition winners

In June 2015, the Greek Politics Specialist Group launched its The 2nd prize (€200) is awarded to Dr Rosa Vasilaki (LSE) for her biennial competition inviting submissions on any aspect of Greek research proposal entitled “Policing the Greek Crisis: Public Order and society, government, policies or politics. This year, a particular Civil Unrest in Times of Turmoil”, which promises to deliver impactful emphasis was placed on innovation, excellence, engagement research of a neglected topic. Vasilaki’s proposal puts forward an and impact – whether through an innovative research design, original approach by focusing on primary research with police officers, methodology or technique; advanced thinking and scholarship; looking at their own perceptions of public attitudes towards the police. ground-breaking argumentation; or impact on academia, politics The 3rd prize (€100) is awarded to Dr Sotiris Petropoulos and communities. A panel of three judges independently assessed (University of the Peloponnese) and Professor Asteris Huliaras all entries and noted the very high standard of submissions, which (University of the Peloponnese) for their paper entitled “European reflects the robust state of the discipline. Money in Greece: In search of the real impact of EU Structural Following a very competitive process, the Executive Committee Funds”, which offers a fresh perspective (that of North-South of the GPSG is delighted to announce the winners of our ‘Innovative development aid) to the evaluation of EU structural funds. Based on Approaches to the Study of Greek Society and Politics’ competition: interviews with an impressive array of policy-makers, Petropoulos The 1st prize (€300) is awarded to Dr Constantine Boussalis (Trinity and Huliaras provide us with a sophisticated analysis that makes an College Dublin) and Dr Travis Coan (University of Exeter) for their important contribution to scholarship. paper entitled “Tracing the Narrative of Hate in the Rising Greek The winning entries will be published as part of the GPSG Working Far-Right”, which offers a ground-breaking model for the analysis of Paper Series over the course of the next few months. party policies. Boussalis and Coan offer a forensic examination of the We would like to extend our congratulations to the winners and our Golden Dawn’s ideology based on an extraordinary research design and sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in this competition. ■ analysis of 17,283 official party news articles.

Constantine Boussalis Rosa Vasilaki Asteris Huliaras Sotiris Petropoulos Travis Coan Introducing the new revamped Policy and Politics in East Asia Specialist Group

The PSA Pacific Asia Specialist Group has undergone a rebranding Cotter is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the University of this academic year, and we are proud to introduce you all to Policy Sheffield focusing on policy analysis and legislative studies. and Politics in East Asia. The new form is intended to broaden At the 2016 PSA Conference the group will launch with a series of the scope, whilst narrowing the focus of the group. The intent is panels, as well as events in the new year, that will show scholars the to provide a forum and hub for all scholars interested in political breadth of activity that falls under the remit of Politics and Policy in research in East Asia from a range of theoretical, methodological East Asia, and also we invite all of those interested in this area to join and disciplinary traditions. The group is intended bring together us as we seek to encourage activity in the area. Feel free to visit our regional experts as well as those from other fields whose research website www.politicsandpolicyineastasia.wordpress.com/ and follow us is engaging with East Asia in some way. In so doing the group will on Twitter @PSA_EAST_ASIA. ■ foster a broader understanding of the region as a whole and inspire interdisciplinary research into East Asia. We want to encourage scholars and practitioners to engage with the group and the PSA, and to show those who have never been members that ours is a group that they could and should be part of. As such in the writing of our new constitution, this inclusivity and interdisciplinarity are at the heart of the new group, with the convenor team representing this. Liam McCarthy is a Lecturer in International Relations at Nottingham Trent University working on political challenges facing Indonesia and Southeast Asia, whilst Leanne-Marie

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 18 16/12/2015 14:52 19 Italian Politics Specialist Group head for Urbino On the 18th of December 2015 the PSA’s Italian Politics Specialist Group (IPSG) held a one-day conference at the University of Urbino (Italy) entitled “Visti da Fuori: Politics and Society in Italy as seen from abroad”. The event was organised in collaboration with LaPolis (Centre for Political and Social Studies) and will be hosted by the Department of Economics, Society and Politics (DESP). The high-profile event, included an introduction byIlvo Diamanti (director of LaPolis, Professor of Political Science, and editorialist for the Italian daily La Repubblica), a keynote speech by the former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, as well as contributions from leading international academics, political commentators, think-tanks, journal editors, and journalists. All the members of the IPSG executive committee participated in the conference, and gave presentations based on their current research, of promoting the study of Italian politics not simply from a single- looking at issues such as the EU enlargement, decentralisation and country angle, but in a wider, international context. regionalism, political parties, party system and anti-politics in Italy, The conference was a great opportunity to showcase and sponsor from the perspective of scholars who study the country ‘from abroad’. the work of the IPSG as well as of that of the PSA among the Italian Their contributions emphasised the importance of comparative analysis academic and political communities. in furthering public awareness of political science, and the role of area A full conference programme (in Italian) is available here: https://www. expertise in supporting this. Such endeavour reflects the IPSG’s objective dropbox.com/s/kxxmrduvr2xxuzh/IPSG-UrbinoConference.pdf?dl=0 ■ New Political Methodology Specialist Group launched at British Academy

A new Specialist Group for Political Methodology was launched at a one-day conference which took place at the British Academy on Wednesday 25 November. The convenors of the new group, Paul Whiteley (University of Essex), Steve Fisher (University of Oxford) and Andreas Murr (University of Oxford), presented a comprehensive programme of panels on the various methodologies used to determine data when researching subjects like electoral choice, tactical voting, election forecasting and political participation. The conference concluded with a keynote lecture on “Statistical Modeling to Understand Terrorism: An Overview of New Tools’ by Jeff Gill from Washington University, St. Louis. Professor Gill explored the problems with terrorism data which he noted was of poor quality. He also demonstrated the methodological processes he used to approach the question ‘Does Democracy Invite Terrorism?’ and went on to reference a university class in Minnesota who used quantitative data to analyse the relationship between characters in the soap opera “Eastenders”. The Political Methodology Specialist Group will aim to bring together a network of political scientists and researchers in related disciplines who utilize quantitative methods in their research. The aim is to build on the successful work of the PSA Quantitative Methods Network, which focuses on teaching, to promote innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to the use of quantitative methods in all aspects of political science research. If you would like to get involved with the group or have any queries, please contact Paul Whiteley at [email protected] ■ Professor Jeff Gill (Washington University, St Louis) addressing the conference

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 19 16/12/2015 14:52 20

The Conference The Paris Climate Talks: Crasher! Politics, Policies and By Emmeline Cooper, University of Westminister Principles Conferences always bring for me a feeling of hopeful With funding from the PSA’s ‘Pushing the Boundaries’ scheme, on apprehension. Hope that I will bounce home with constructive the 20th November, the PSA Specialist Groups on Environmental feedback, vital contacts and a sense of purpose. And Politics and French Politics came together to host the forum ‘The Paris apprehension that the highlight will be the miniature pastries, Climate Talks: Politics, Policies and Principles’ – a discussion of the and I will return home only with a sense of time lost. At forthcoming UN climate conference. the Principles or Responsible Investment conference (Sept. Known as COP-21 (the 21st Conference of the Parties), the UN 8-10th 2015, London Excel), this familiar feeling of hopeful conference on climate change taking place in Paris from the 30th apprehension was magnified. As I arrived at the conference venue November until the 11th December represents the biggest international it struck me that I knew absolutely no-one in this gargantuan politics conference of the year, and the greatest re-evaluation of climate trade hall. What was different about this conference for me was ambitions since the Copenhagen summit in 2009. Taking place against that it was not aimed at academics, but the investment industry. the background of the November Paris terror attacks and the resultant And I was there to improve the relevance and impact of my own requirement for civil society protests at COP21 to remain indoors, the research. symposium was able to address these ongoing repercussions to highlight I am engaged in a PhD project which looks at the challenges the very real link between geopolitical stability and climate stability. posed by responsible investing to pension scheme governance and Over 50 participants arrived at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon the promise of innovations based on deliberative or participative Innovation to listen to an exceptional line-up of speakers and to theories of governance. I knew about the PRI conference and was participate in the day’s debates. The opening address from Sarah Boyack hankering to go there – after all, this was where the responsible MSP and Labour spokesperson for Environmental Justice included a call investment industry (institutional investors, asset management for those present not to underestimate the role that civil society and firms, analytics firms and NGOs) would be meeting this year to academic debate can play in shaping national governments’ agenda. chew over industry debates. Going to the conference would give She highlighted the role of individual networks, and solutions-based me the chance to check my own understanding, get feedback from contributions and the two key contributions those present could make. practitioners on my research ideas, and maybe make contacts with Three roundtables, a breakout session for small group discussion and a potential research participants. All of these things, I figured, would larger group debate brought the symposium to life. The first roundtable help me shape my research into something relevant and intriguing focused on the political climate in France, but also in Europe and the UK, to the industry - and hopefully improve its eventual impact. and how that would impact, and indeed be impacted by, the COP21. I approached the event as an ethnographer would and roamed the This second roundtable introduced the history of the COPs and what conference talking to anyone and everyone, trying to get a measure we know of Paris already, before exploring how conceptualisations may of the industry itself, as well as eliciting feedback on my research shape proceedings. With speakers from three different ENGOs, the third ideas, and looking for further contacts where I could. The conference and final roundtable explored the role played by civil society in shaping certainly updated me on current industry discussions – and that can negotiations, particularly in light of France’s stance on public protest in be no bad thing. But how did the natives react? In fact, I was quite light of the recent terrorist attacks. taken aback by the interest of industry practitioners and press: I left Four break-out groups were given the task of identifying and the conference with a pocket-full of business cards, and many were discussing key dynamics and obstacles shaping the Paris COP and interested in talking further. Keeping in touch with these industry climate change action more generally. Our panel of invited speakers then practitioners through a blog is one way of improving the impact of re-convened to expand and add to this discussion. the research. But more importantly, engaging in detailed discussions The organisers are indebted to the forum’s sponsors, the PSA, the with them – even at this quite early stage in the research – will ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, Routledge, and the University of have more far reaching consequences on the shape of research and Edinburgh Global Environment and Society Academy, as well as to the hopefully, its eventual impact. All in all, it was time well (perhaps, vibrant participation of all who attended from Universities, civil society responsibly?) invested. I am very grateful to the PSA Public Policy & organisations and media outlets across the UK. Administration Specialist Group Impact Fund 2015 for contributing For further information about the work of the Environmental Politics to my conference fees, and enabling me to attend. and French Politics Specialist Groups, as well as further information To join the PPA specialist group please contact Claire Dunlop at about the symposium’s policy brief and further outputs please see the University of Exeter [email protected] ■ psaenvironment.wordpress.com or the PSA website. ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 20 16/12/2015 14:52 21 Special Issue of Politics: Soft Power of Hard States In November 2015 the PSA journal Politics published a special issue on ‘Soft Power of Hard States’. Edited by Dr Michael Barr and Dr Valentina Feklyunina (both at Newcastle University, UK), the issue attempts to rethink the concept of soft power by applying it to non-Western authoritarian actors. It focuses on three states that Under what conditions are the legitimacy and credibility of state led have been particularly active in their efforts to enhance their soft image campaigns contested? Many of the articles in this volume stem power potential over the past decade: China, Russia, and Iran. Bringing from a two day conference that was held at Newcastle University in together a group of world-leading experts, the issue raises several May 2014 and was co-funded by Politics, the School of Geography, challenging questions. To what extent is the dominant Western- Politics and Sociology of Newcastle University, the Faculty of centric understanding of soft power sufficient in our attempts to Humanities and Social Sciences of Newcastle University and the investigate the ways in which non-democratic regimes engage with BISA Working Group on Russian and Eurasian Security. The special the idea of soft power? Why do non-democratic states embrace the issue will be of interest to scholars of international politics, political idea of soft power in the first place? To what extent are they able communication, regional experts and anyone with an interest in the to wield influence without resorting to violence or coercion? What changing nature of soft power. narratives do they employ in attempting to achieve their policy aims? To find out more, visit the journal’s blog at politicsblog.ac.uk.■ ‘Giving Time’: Academics and practitioners debate and discuss strategies for volunteer recruitment 50 practitioners and 10 academics came together at a learning event in Birmingham on 19th November to reflect on research findings from the ESRC funded ‘Giving Time’ project (2013-2015) and to exchange ideas on ways to recruit and support volunteers. The research investigated whether social information – in the form of email endorsements from celebrities, politicians and peers; personalised feedback about individual volunteering hours compared to others; and information and training nudges - could increase volunteering for a variety causes, encourage more candidates to stand as parish councillors, and engage people in doing ‘citizen social science’. The methods included randomised controlled trials, qualitative research and surveys. Honest and engaging debate took place about the challenges and principles of co-designed research, and conducting large scale experiments in real world settings. Key messages from the day included: • Much volunteering is driven by personal motivations and commitment to particular causes; gaining valuable experience and The research team included Peter John (UCL, PI), Gerry Stoker and making social contacts were also important. Matt Ryan (Southampton University), Oliver James and Alice Moseley • Unlike the context of charitable giving of money where social (Exeter University) & Liz Richardson (Manchester University). The information has been shown to increase donations, in the research partners were: National Trust, Student Hubs, Student Volunteering conducted it didn’t increase volunteering. In fact, for some groups, Units in 12 UK universities, Family Mosaic Housing Association and social information could be de-motivating. County Associations for Local Councils. The event was facilitated by • Mobilisation should be targeted, with interventions aimed at the National Association for Neighbourhood Management and guest increasing volunteering tailored to people’s differing motivations for speakers included Professor Muki Haklay (UCL), Professor Mihaela volunteering. Keleman (Community Animation and Social Innovation Centre), Sue • Volunteers need recognition and reward for what they do; showing Moffat (New Vic Borderlines), and Dr Justin Davis-Smith (NCVO). people the benefits and outcomes of their volunteering may help A snippet of the day can be found on Storify: https://storify.com/ increase volunteering.. BenYMLee/giving-time-can-volunteers-be-nudged ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 21 16/12/2015 14:52 22

Crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat: Mapping & documenting migratory journeys & experiences

Dr Vicki Squire (PAIS, Warwick), with Co-Is Dr Dallal Stevens (Law, University of the West Warwick), Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams (PAIS, Warwick), Dr Angeliki Dimitriadi (ELIAMEP, Athens), and Dr Maria Pisani (Malta), of Scotland and Oxfam have been awarded over £150,000 for an ESRC Urgent Research project entitled 'Crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat: Mapping and cooperate on research documenting migratory journeys and experiences.’ While migrant deaths en route to the European Union are by no means new, the level and intensity of recent tragedies is unprecedented. More that investigates what than 1850 deaths were recorded January-May 2015, demanding swift action on the part of EU Member States. This project produces a timely constitutes ‘decent work’ and robust evidence base as grounds for informing policy interventions developed under emergency conditions across the Mediterranean. It does By Dr Hartwig Pautz and Prof Chik Collins so by assessing the impact of such interventions on those that they affect Researchers from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and most directly: migrants or refugees themselves. This project undertakes Oxfam Scotland are leading a project investigating what people such an assessment by engaging the journeys and experiences of people in Scotland believe constitutes a ‘good job’ – or ‘decent work’. This migrating, asking: research is undertaken under the auspices of the UWS-Oxfam • What are the impacts of policy interventions on migratory journeys and Partnership. experiences across the Mediterranean? The concept of 'decent work' is not a recent invention. The • How do refugees or migrants negotiate complex and entwined International Labour Organisation and others, since the early 2000s, migratory and regulatory dynamics? have been grappling with what 'decent work' is and have promoted • In what ways can policy be re-shaped to address migrant deaths at sea? guidelines as to what employers and governments can do to create The project focuses on three EU island arrival points in Greece, more 'decent work'. Italy and Malta. Qualitative interview data, both textual and visual, is However, during the post-2008 economic crisis, discussion about produced through an interdisciplinary participatory research approach. ‘decent work’ became stifled as having any job seemed at times The project contributes: an interdisciplinary perspective on the legal and more important than job quality but with the continuing problems social implications of policy interventions in the region; a comparative of in-work poverty, under-employment, job insecurity, and gender perspective on migratory routes and methods of travel across the inequalities in terms of pay, promotion and 'job autonomy', the Mediterranean; a qualitative analysis of the journeys and experiences of question of what constitutes ‘decent work’ remains important. refugees and migrants; and methodological insights into participatory In Scotland, decent work will be a live issue in the run-up to the May research under emergency conditions. 2016 Scottish Parliament Elections with the Scottish Government's Other academics at PAIS to win grants recently were Dr Charlotte Fair Work Convention set to publish its report in March 2016. UWS and Heath-Kelly who won an ESRC Future Research Leaders grant for her Oxfam, in collaboration with colleagues at Warwick and Strathclyde project, ‘Resilience at the Bombsite: Reconstructing Post-Terrorist Space’ Universities, will use this opportunity to contribute to the debate with and Dr Julian Gruin who won an ESRC Future Research Leaders grant their own independent research on the views of the public. worth around £280,000 for his project, ‘Reshaping Global Capital: The The project sees researchers from several of UWS’s Schools Politics of Uncertainty in China’s Financial Transnationalisation’. Professor working with Oxfam, engaging with young people, low-paid workers, Nick Vaughan-Williams was awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize unemployed people, disabled people and people currently in prison. worth £100,000 in recognition of his outstanding research in Politics Using interviews, focus groups, round table discussions and surveys, the and International Relations while a team of academics has secured EU project, which is being led by UWS’ Chik Collins and Hartwig Pautz and Commission funding for a new project entitled 'European Leadership in Oxfam’s Francis Stuart, will contribute to the public debate around this Cultural, Science, and Innovation Diplomacy' (EL-CSID), as part of the issue. The first results will be published in spring 2016 Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Framework. ■ The UWS-Oxfam Partnership is a formally established relationship between the two organisations. It emerged as a result of collaborative work between UWS staff, Oxfam and its community partner organisations. It develops research and knowledge exchange and feeds the results of these exchanges into wider civil society and policy discussions in order to advance the UWS-Oxfam vision of a more equitable, sustainable and socially just Scotland. Vicki Squire Charlotte Julian Gruin Nick Vaughan- For those interested in the project please visit http:// Heath-Kelly Williams uwsoxfampartnership.org.uk/rke/our-decent-work-project-2/ ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 22 16/12/2015 14:52 23 Ideology, Voting and Implicit Cognition (IVIC) Project

Image Credit: Saif Uddin / Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Funded by: John Fell Fund Team from the Department of Politics & IR and the Department implicit attitudes of their children to economic decision making, of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford: PI: David inequality, and sharing. This project is developing a theoretical Doyle, Catherine de Vries, Kim Plunkett and Janette Chow. model that explains not only how children acquire political The left–right distinction is central to comparative politics and knowledge, but also how this may shape their early childhood fundamental to explanations of political behavior. This is primarily behaviour. how we explain and analyse political behaviour in its different To do this, the project is based on an innovative experimental facets. Political attitudes are also central to our moral beliefs about method that allows it to examine how the political beliefs of the world. Yet, how we develop these political attitudes as young parents affect their children’s concepts of sharing over the children and how these attitudes subsequently shape our early course of social development, from age four to fourteen. These moral outlook remains a mystery. We do not have any real grasp of experiments are in the form of cartoons developed by the project, the underlying cognitive processes that shape our understanding which show two characters, Timmy the Turtle and Billy the Bird, of the left-right distinction, and how these cognitive processes interacting in various ways and we measure, using something translate into an attachment to a particular political party for called an Implicit Attitude Test (IAT) and standard economic example. The purpose of this project is to provide some answers to games, the perception of sharing in others that children have. This these questions. is the first time such a study has even been undertaken and it has Drawing on theoretical and methodological advances from the potential to seriously change our understanding of political experimental psychology and behavioral economics, this development. The first data and outputs should be ready within project will be the first experimental investigation exploring the the next six months. ■ relationship between the political beliefs of parents, and the

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 23 16/12/2015 14:52 24 Researching poverty alleviation after typhoon Yolanda

In the early hours of 8 November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (local become evident that well intentioned livelihood strategies have name Yolanda) struck the Visayas Islands, on the eastern coast of suffered from a lack of joined up thinking. In a recent United Nations the Philippines. Yolanda packed wind speeds of up to 196 mph and Regional Coordinator’s Office exit strategy meeting (UNRCO) project brought in a storm surge that reached heights of up to 19 feet. team Verity Rushton of UNICEF raised her concern that locals had The term ‘storm surge’ was unfamiliar to the locals. This resulted in attended re-training sessions when in fact they were not natural mass casualties as evacuation was only partial. The official death entrepreneurs. They had merely attended training sessions as they toll stands at 6,300 however this is widely regarded as a grossly were paid to do so and returned to their previous occupations such conservative estimate. as ‘fishing’ when the training ended. There is perhaps a lesson to be Over the last few weeks team members from the University of learned here in terms of future best practice. Nottingham (Ningbo and the UK) and the University of the Philippines 8 November 2015 marks the second anniversary of Yolanda. The working on the ESRC/DFID funded project ‘Poverty Alleviation in the region is still materially and emotionally scarred from the typhoon. Wake of Typhoon Yolanda’ (ES/M008932/1) have been meeting with Filipinos are often praised for being resilient due to their culture of stakeholders in Manila, Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan. The project will community or ‘Bayanihan’ spirit and close family networks. However, assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation and livelihood strategies in this cannot be used as panacea for the fundamental problems that a Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan until 2018. The project focusses on ‘the significant number of Yolanda survivors still face. The anniversary has factors that shape pathways into and out of poverty and people's been a stock-taking exercise as well as a time of reflection. Sustainable experience of these, and how policy can be created that will sustain livelihood and permanent residence with security of tenure remain routes out of extreme poverty in ways that can be replicated and beyond the reach of a significant number of local residents. scaled up'. The team is also supported by ten locally hired enumerators Pauline Eadie is an Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and who are currently conducting surveys in ten barangays (the smallest International Relations at the University of Nottingham. She is Primary unit level of administration in the Philippines) across the three towns Investigator of the ESRC/Dfid funded project ‘Poverty Alleviation in the chosen. Wake of Typhoon Yolanda’. You can follow this project on Facebook as During recent fieldwork it has become apparent that one of the Project_Yolanda and Twitter @Project_Yolanda. greatest tensions facing the ‘Build Back Better’ efforts is the tension Caryl Thompson is a doctoral candidate in the School of Politics and between safe housing and sustainable livelihood. If residents move International Relations at the University of Nottingham. Her research to higher ground then they lose ease of access to both their fishing focuses on political discourse in relation to migration. She is currently grounds and established local markets for their goods. It has also resident in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ■

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Upcoming Events

UACES Student Forum Seminars: Teaching European PSA Total Exposure Grant Pitching Event – Studies – Europa Institute, University of Edinburgh – The Royal Society of Arts, London, 28 January 2016 8 January 2016 The Total Exposure Grand Pitching Event is the culimination of a The student forum seminars is for any PhD student who wants to process which began in April 2015 when we asked our members to improve their teaching skills. submit short 1 or 2-page pitches for television or radio programmes Up to 140.00 GBP is available towards travel and accommodation, based on political research that they would like to see produced. the event includes coffee breaks and lunch on the day. An expert panel of five top UK broadcast commissioners has been The programme includes a mix of roundtables and interactive assembled and will consider the 14 pitches which have been shortlisted seminars to discuss common challenges around how to teach the EU at an event in The RSA in London on 28th of January 2016. in crisis. The roundtables will discuss different experiences, comparing On the day, each pitch author will have 3 minutes to present their teaching methods and expectations across Europe, as well as pitch and we will then allow a further 7 to 10 minutes for feedback, showcasing what PhD students can do in terms of teaching innovation questions and critique from the expert panel. We will be filming and publication. The seminars will focus on the challenges encountered each presentation on the day and the 14 pitches in full will be made when teaching the EU in crisis and the skills required by postgraduate available on the PSA website after the event has taken place. students to successfully teach European Studies. The conference is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students who are engaged in https://www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-total-exposure-grand-pitching-event related areas of research. The event is organised be UACES Student Forum Committee, who will also be having elections during the conference. Funding is available 2016 Postgraduate Reception at PSA Annual Conference, for travel and accommodation. Brighton, 21 March 2016, 17:45pm

https://www.psa.ac.uk/events/uaces-student-forum-seminars-teaching- The PSA Postgraduate Network will be hosting their Annual Conference european-studies-0 Reception and Talk at the PSA’s Annual Conference on the evening of Monday 21st, which is an excellent opportunity to meet other PhD students and early career academics. The changing face of global mobility - Celebrating Full details will be published in the Annual Conference Programme 10 years of IMI – University of Oxford, 13 – 15 January closer to the time of the event. 2016 https://www.psa.ac.uk/psa-communities/graduate-network/ In January 2006 the International Migration Institute (IMI) was founded events/2016-postgraduate-reception-psa-annual-conference at Oxford University by Stephen Castles and Steven Vertovec with the aim to develop a long-term and forward-looking perspective on international migration as an intrinsic part of global change. 66th PSA Annual International Conference, Brighton, To celebrate the 10th anniversary of IMI, this conference seeks both 21-23 March 2016 to review the progress made in reaching these aims and to explore new conceptual horizons for understanding migration processes and their The 66th Political Studies Association Annual International Conference impacts for origin and destination societies takes place in Brighton at the Hilton Brighton Metropole in 2016.

https://www.psa.ac.uk/events/changing-face-global-mobility- https://www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-annual-international- celebrating-10-years-international-migration-institute conference-2016

Visit http://www.psa.ac.uk/events for more

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 25 16/12/2015 14:52 26 Can young people go from anti-politics to pro-politics?

The People’s History Museum in Manchester played host to this year’s Political Studies Association’s Parliament Week workshop which took place on Monday 16th November. The workshop, once again kindly facilitated by the PSA’s Parliaments and Legislatures Specialist Group team of Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira, Dr Louise Thompson, and Mr Marc Geddes, was aimed at sixth form students looking to better understand Parliament. Drawing on the important work that the Political Studies Association has already done in engaging young people with democracy, this special event consisted of small group discussions looking at how people can affect change and campaign on issues that are important to them. With the help of PSA Chair, Professor Matt Flinders, the workshop challenged students to think about what Parliament does and how it could improve in the future. As well as the PSA’s main event in Manchester, a series of smaller ‘regional’ workshops took place around the UK before and during Parliament Week. Using bespoke resources drafted by Professor Leston-Bandeira and Dr Thompson, PSA members from Cardiff to Glasgow and from Liverpool to Kent, ran their own mini Parliament Week workshops introducing students to the themes. ■ PSA Speakers in Schools Programme continues The beginning of the 2015/16 academic year has seen a whole history and across the world, and questioned whether it was truly series of exciting PSA Speakers for Schools visits take place around possible for everyone to be represented in a representative democracy. the UK. The initiative sees the Association facilitate academics A special note of thanks to all PSA academic members who continue presenting to school and college students on a variety of issues to support this important initiative. For more information or to get related to their sixth form studies. involved, please contact the PSA on 020 7321 2545. ■ Two notable visits, both to an audience of over 50 students, included Mr Ian Shields OBE (Anglia Ruskin) speaking to students from Bedford School, Bedford Girls’ School and Bedford Modern School in September, and Dr Uri Gordon and Professor Ruth Kinna (Loughborough University) visiting Loughborough Grammar School in October (pictured). Mr Shields delivered a lecture entitled: ‘An Introduction to International Relations and the International Order’ and followed this with a second presentation and discussion on studying IR and applying for social sciences courses at university. As an academic and strategic analyst with over thirty years’ experience of military service and leadership, Mr Shields outlined how International Relations draws on history, geography, politics, development and gender studies in helping us to understand how and why the international community works. In Loughborough, Dr Gordon and Professor Kinna linked their visit to Parliament Week and delivered a lecture titled: 'Parliament: Problems and Possibilities'. Challenging students’ preconceptions, the interactive lecture explored not only democracy today, but democracy across

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From l to r: Lara Jenkin, Tharanya Thiruchelvam (both Graveney School, Tooting), Dr Rosie Campbell (PSA Vice-Chair) and Joe Twyman (YouGov) Students From Tooting’s Graveney School Win PSA Student Video Competition Two students from the Graveney School in Tooting, South London declared the winners. have beaten over 20 other schools from around the UK to win this As well as accepting a trophy at the PSA Annual Awards Ceremony the year’s PSA Student Short Video Competition which was judged by students have been offered a one-week internship with political polling The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP. company YouGov, who kindly sponsored the competition. Kara Jenkin and Tharanya Thiruchelvam impressed the judges CEO of the Political Studies Association Helena Djurkovic said: “Kara with their video “The Tooting Experiment” which outlined how a and Tharanya’s video was particularly engaging and showed them to be new democratic system would work if Tooting was to declare itself exceptionally politically aware. Their visual representation of how they independent from the UK. Their video highly impressed the PSA’s would design a new democracy was well-developed and innovative.” judging panel which included Michael Crick (Channel 4 News), Claire A huge thank you to everyone who entered this year’s competition. Ainsley (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and Professor Matthew Goodwin The winning video – “The Tooting Experiment” can be watched online at (PSA Executive Committee) as well as Mr Speaker and they were duly https://goo.gl/3UZED8 ■

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PSA News Vol26 No4.indd 27 16/12/2015 14:53 28 Leader of new Women’s Equality Party speaks at PSA Sixth-Form Conference On Tuesday 13th October 2015, the Political Studies Association organised a hugely successful Sixth Form Conference on Pressure Groups, Anti-Politics and Representation which took place at Amnesty International's Human Rights Action Centre. Over 150 students from PSA teacher member schools participated in the action packed programme consisting of lectures and breakout sessions facilitated by some of the leading political campaign groups and charities. The conference - linking to the Magna Carta celebrations - opened with an introduction from Dr Andy Mycock (University of Huddersfield) and Professor Paul Cairney (Stirling University) outlining the aim of the conference: to get students thinking about the duties and limits of state power, the rights of the people, and the rules of our democracy. Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Sophie Walker, then delivered an engaging and interactive keynote speech on gender and democratic representation. The conference later explored all of the themes outlined during the introduction and keynote speech by creating engagement between students and the experiences of either radical or less mainstream political campaign groups or charities. Students were given and campaigning. The Q&A session included Dr Anna Feigenbaum, the opportunity to participate in two breakout sessions of their choice, Bournemouth University; Campbell Robb, CEO of Shelter; David Bowles, covering issues around – although not limited to – radical movements Director of Public Affairs of RSPCA; Graham Smith, CEO of Republic; and and protests, environmental activism, digital campaigning, animal Maddy Ryle of the “Democracy Center” in a lively discussion facilitated welfare, and constitutional reform. by Dr Andy Mycock that engaged all delegates with what was discussed The conference concluded with a final question and answer panel and learnt during the breakout sessions, calling upon a mixture of session with some of the leading individuals who are out there ‘doing’ academic research and the experiences of the panellists. ■

A lack of diversity - Mary Wollstonecraft is the only female thinker mentioned in PSA responds to DfE the draft subject content consultation on the future of A-level Politics

The Department for Education and Ofqual last month published public consultations on revised subject content and assessments for a new Politics AS and A-level, which will be taught from 2017. The PSA has made a formal submission to the DfE’s consultation welcoming the revision and rejuvenation of A-level Politics. On balance, the Association believes the proposals for the DfE’s draft AS and A-level Politics subject content are generally positive. However, the PSA remains very concerned about the lack of diversity across the entire draft curriculum. The PSA’s Women and Politics Specialist Group and PSA’s Anarchist Studies Network have also submitted separate comprehensive submissions on the lack of diversity and the exclusion of ‘feminism’ and ‘anarchism’ more specifically. You can read the full statement from the PSA online here: https:// www.psa.ac.uk/psa-communities/specialist-groups/schools/news/psa- responds-dfes-politics-level-subject-content ■

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