PSAnews Vol 27 No 2 | 2016 psa.ac.uk

Are you interested in Professor becoming an Academic John Fellow at the House of Benyon Commons?

10 March 1951 – 19 May 2016 The House of Commons, in partnership with the with the House to build public understanding of PSA, are delighted to be implementing a scheme Parliament, and inform, evaluate and enhance the It is with great sadness that of fellowships for senior political and social House’s work and that of its Members. Please we report the death of a great scientists currently researching or wishing to note there is no funding offered for this scheme. personality, colleague and study the work of Parliament. The scheme will be officially launched in the champion of the Association, The House of Commons Academic Fellowship autumn 2016. Professor John Benyon. Scheme will allow Fellows access to the For more details on the Fellowship Scheme, John Benyon was born in Parliamentary Estate and House services, as well as including information on how to apply, please Southampton where he attended a designated sponsor to help facilitate the Fellow’s contact Naomi Saint, Parliament’s Universities school before proceeding straight research. Fellows will also have the opportunity to Programme Manager, on [email protected] into the world of work. John’s increase the impact of their research by working or 020 7219 8711. ■ continued on page 6 Politics at Sussex appoints Political INSIDE THIS ISSUE Writer in Residence Unique opportunities in Westminster for PhD members Politics at Sussex has appointed Yvonne Roberts, the prize-winning journalist with the Observer, ‘Evaluating Verto’ in Parliament as its inaugural Political Writer in Residence. She will work with Politics students to inspire Democratic Devolution: A Young Citizens’ Assembly them to find their individual voices and strengthen their skills as political writers and communicators. continued on page 6 2 Contents ASSOCIATION NEWS RESEARCH AND IMPACT

‘Evaluating Verto’ in Parliament 14 Are you interested in becoming an Academic Fellow at the House of Commons? 1 Combining expertise on Brazilian Foreign Policy 14 Professor John Benyon 1 Nottingham research centre intersects 15 Politics at Sussex appoints Political Writer in Residence 1 Economics and Politics PSA Members in the News 3 New Fellows 3 Unique opportunities in Westminster for PhD members 4 66th Annual International Conference, Brighton 5 ENGAGEMENT

Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University on air 16 DEPARTMENT NEWS New podcast: Talking migration 16

King’s to launch new School of Security 7 News from the Department of Politics at the 7 University of Liverpool The latest from Birkbeck Politics 8 JOURNALS New appointments for Liverpool Hope’s Politics team 8 New staff and degree programme at Goldsmiths’ 9 Political Insight calls for contributors 17 Department of Politics & International Relations University of Nottingham News 9 Radicalisation in South East Europe: Special issue 10 of the Journal of Contemporary European Studies News from PAIS, Warwick 10 UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Events 18

SPECIALIST GROUPS

Penal Policymaking: A Collaborative Symposium 11 SCHOOLS New Convenors for ‘Executive Politics and Governance’ 11 Specialist Group Bringing Politics to Secondary Schools 19 Introducing Early Career Researchers to a world of journal 12 rankings, impact scoring and league tables Democratic Devolution: A Young Citizens’ Assembly 20 A Decade of Sport and Politics 13 Pushing the Boundaries of Diversity Management 13

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 Stefanie Mair 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 Members in the News

If you or one of your colleagues has been featured in the media recently, please let us know by emailing our Communications Officer, Stefanie Mair (Stefanie.mair@psa. ac.uk) or by tweeting us @PolStudiesAssoc.

JONATHON TONGE spoke to BBC 1 BREAKFAST and BBC RADIO 5 LIVE on the resignation of Ian Duncan-Smith. He also appeared on BBC RADIO 4's Westminster Hour previewing the

May Northern Ireland Assembly elections. Jonathon Tonge Thom Brooks

THOM BROOKS discussed UK-France border arrangements and the partial closure of the Calais Jungle on FRANCE 24, CCTV AMERICA, RUSSIA TODAY and EYE AFRICA. He also spoke to SKY NEWS on the EU-Turkey migration deal and BBC WALES on asylum seekers in Britain, and wrote migration pieces for the NORTHERN ECHO, SOLICITORS JOURNAL and the NEWCASTLE JOURNAL.

ELIN ROYLES was one of the main contributors to the BBC’s 2016 Assembly Election night coverage on S4C. Elin has also been interviewed on Welsh attitudes to the EU in the context of the UK EU Referendum for BBC RADIO 4’S PM programme Elin Royles Anwen Elias and major Polish television network TVN’s Fakty news programme.

ANWEN ELIAS was interviewed for a CNN piece on the EU Referendum.

ALISTAIR SHEPHERD gave analysis of the March 2016 Brussels attacks to Australia’s ABS NEWS RADIO. He also contributed analysis to the O GLOBO newspaper in Brazil on the implications of these attacks for the Brexit debate. ■

Alistair Shepherd New Fellows

We are pleased to announce that after being nominated by the PSA, Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards (Professor of Politics, Queen’s University Belfast) became a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in March 2016. Beverley is a leading figure in the study of the Middle East, Islamic Studies and studies in terrorism, violence and security, and works in an advisory capacity for government. On 1 May 2016 Dr Russell Foster became Leverhulme Fellow in European Union Politics at the Department of European and International Studies, Kings College London. Russell has a background in multiple disciplines which informs his approach to European and Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards Dr Russell Foster International Studies. Most recently he was Marie Sklodowska-Curie International Fellow in the Department of European Studies, University of Amsterdam. ■ psa.ac.uk 4

Unique opportunities in Westminster for PhD members

Our internship scheme organised in partnership with the House Electoral Commission. of Commons offers PhD student members the opportunity to With so much going on and inquiries at various stages, the gain valuable ‘real-world’ experience in Parliament through a experience provided a great insight into the workings of a Select four-month paid internship. Successful applicants are placed Committee, particularly how inquiries conduct witness selection, either within a team of staff supporting a specific Select evidence taking, report writing and publication. Though I had Committee or in the Scrutiny Unit. conducted some earlier research on parliamentary scrutiny that We are currently accepting applications for up to two placements touched on Select Committees, the subjects covered by the for the coming academic year. For more information and details Committee definitely provided a change from my current PhD research on how to apply, please visit www.psa.ac.uk/psa-communities/ on state-building and social movements. Although initially daunting, I graduate-network/psa/house-commons-committee-office- quickly appreciated, then enjoyed, the fact that Committee Specialists placements-paid. The deadline for applications is 1 September 2016. are required to fairly rapidly acquire knowledge on a range of Jane Kirkpatrick (University of Lincoln) recently finished her unfamiliar subjects. Though challenging, I was quickly immersed in the placement in the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs work of the Committee, aided by a very friendly and helpful team that Committee (PACAC). Here’s how she got on: I was immediately made to feel part of. Building on existing research “My placement as a Committee Specialist took place from skills and seeing that research put to use in a short time-frame was November 2015 to April 2016. Known as the Public Administration rewarding and a welcome change from the fairly solitary, long-term Select Committee (PASC) during the last parliament, the Committee and in-depth research ‘enjoyed’ by PhD students. now has a very broad remit covering constitutional issues, the During the placement I had the opportunity to see how a number of standards of administration within the Civil Service, as well as other departments such as the House of Commons Library, Hansard, scrutiny of the Cabinet Office, the Parliamentary and Health Service Parliamentary Outreach and the digital team function, as well as how Ombudsman, and a number of public bodies such as the Advisory many departments are attempting to improve public and academic Committee on Business Appointments and the Commissioner for engagement. Towards the end of the placement I was able to Public Appointments. appreciate the different ways each Committee approaches its remit, The Committee was going through a particularly busy period in the how they organise themselves, and how witnesses, the public and midst of several inquiries, including Whitehall’s Relationship with Kids members are engaged in Committee work. Company, Fundraising in the Charitable Sector and English Votes for The experience and insights I gained were extremely valuable and English Laws. As well as these on-going inquiries, several ‘one-off’ the experience has given me new perspectives on the inner workings sessions took place, including those with the Cabinet Office and the of Parliament as well as potential future research and careers.” ■

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th 66 PSA 66th Annual ANNUAL CONFERENCE International Conference, Brighton

Our 66th Annual International Conference, held from 21 – 23 March 2016, enjoyed excellent turnout. The Hilton Brighton Metropole and The Grand Brighton were the home for three days of lively discussion amongst over 700 delegates. The theme, ‘Politics and the Good Life’ gave birth to some engaging sessions including a look at ‘Building Impact Case Studies - Reflecting on REF 2014 and Looking Ahead’ with Professor Matthew Goodwin (University of Kent), a talk from Podemos’ Political Secretary, Íñigo Errejón Galván, on the rise of populism in Spain, and a lecture from Professor Lisa Disch (University of Michigan) on ‘Can Democratic Agency Survive the Constructivist Turn?’. Professor Shirin Rai (University of Warwick) gave a plenary session entitled ‘The Good Life: From Miserable Inequality to Happy Solidarity?’. Building on feminist and postcolonial work and critiquing mainstream visions of the good life, Professor Rai addressed some thought-provoking questions including ‘can we think about a good life without thinking about whose life that is?’, ‘what makes for a good life after all is rooted in particular landscapes and histories?’ and ‘can visions of the good life spur us on to action in concert with others, to change the world we live in?’. Brighton also saw the launch of Total Exposure 2017 – our new initiative which puts political scientists in front of leading TV and radio broadcasters in order to make the latest research accessible to wider audiences. More information on the launch event and ‘how to pitch’ can be found at psa.ac.uk/totalexposure. Pitches for 2017 will be accepted until 31 October 2016. Following on from this year’s successful conference, a call for papers for next year’s conference will be issued soon. The 67th Annual International Conference will take place in Glasgow from 10 – 12 April 2017. ■ psa.ac.uk 6

Professor John Benyon 10 March 1951 – 19 May 2016 Politics at Sussex appoints Political Writer in Residence continued from page 1 continued from page 1 early employment, including a period in the building trade, was a far cry Yvonne will deliver practical writing workshops and offer feedback on from academic life but the experiences he gleaned from ‘the real world’ students’ work. She will run events to inspire students to develop and nurtured a lasting enthusiasm for widening participation in education, defend their ideas and then convert their arguments into high quality and for justice. political publications, starting with the new politics@sussex blog John studied as a ‘mature student’ at Warwick University where launched in June 2016. he was also active in Student Union politics. His first academic post Yvonne Roberts said: “It’s an honour to be the first Political Writer in came in 1981, when he joined the University of Leicester, where he Residence at the University of Sussex and, in these challenging times, would remain for the next 30 years until his retirement in 2011. John’s to work with politics undergraduates to hone their skills, and develop career at Leicester commenced with a joint lectureship in Public their own many and varied voices, so they mount a fresh, strong and Administration spanning the Departments of Adult Education and vibrant challenge to Orwell’s view that all political writing is ‘the Politics. John’s research interests were extensive, though it was for his defence of the indefensible’.” study of public disorder, protests and policing issues, and the politics of Claire Annesley, Head of Politics at the University of Sussex, said: “I law and order that he became especially noted and revered, as a prolific know that our students are really excited at the prospect of working author and organiser of conferences, symposia and other events. with a journalist of Yvonne’s calibre to help them develop their political Through ground breaking research into race relations, ethnicity and communication skills.” ■ policing, and books such as Scarman and After, and The Roots of Urban Unrest, he brought together critical debates of the time around social justice and the police. In later years John researched extensively into lifelong learning and the ageing society, and the benefits of learning. As one of the early pioneers of distance learning, a number of programmes established by John are still running at Leicester today. In 1987, John became a Senior Lecturer. That same year, he founded the Centre for the Study of Public Order (CSPO), an institute in which he served as Director until 1999. John was promoted to a personal chair in 1993. Under John’s leadership, the CSPO grew rapidly and by 1996, over 40 staff worked there, when it was renamed the Scarman Centre. Subsequently, it became the Department of Criminology. In 2000, John became the first Head of the new Institute of Lifelong Learning where he served as Director of Lifelong Learning until 2008. John held honorary research positions in Beijing, Melbourne and New York and his work has been translated into Chinese, French, Hungarian, Portuguese, Sinhalese and Spanish. From 2006 to 2013, he served as Chair of the College of Learned Societies of the Academy of Social Sciences. Concurrently, John maintained an active role in politics in his adopted city of Leicester as well as in political studies. A longstanding member of the Political Studies Association, he became Honorary Treasurer of the organisation in 1992, a role he held until retiring from the position in 2015. Indubitably, the respect, influence and strength of the PSA can be attributed in great measure to the prudent custodianship of the Association’s financial activities, where his meticulous attention to detail and mastery of the intricacies of contractual negotiations with publishers, as well as “the man from the Customs and Excise”, was legendary. The PSA honoured John by presenting him with a Lifetime Contribution award in 2015, recognising his role in the growth and development of the study of politics in the UK for over a quarter of a century. The citation for the award said that John had been “pivotal to the modernising and professionalising” of the Association. John has left a tremendous and lasting legacy. Many of us will recall with much affection his sheer presence, perspicacity, command of strategy, big personality and a sense of humour, all of which will be sorely missed. His love of his family, animals, gardening and The Saints will also long be remembered. At this sad time, our thoughts are with his wife Coleen and his daughter Danielle at this time – he is already very sorely missed but will be long remembered. ■ Paul Carmichael

psa.ac.uk 7 King’s to launch new School of Security In the summer of 2016, King’s College London will launch its new School of Security, bringing together the Department of War Studies in London and the Defence Studies Department at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham. The School will create the largest community of scholars and researchers in the world dedicated to the research and teaching of all aspects of security. The Head of the new School will be Professor Wyn Bowen. Dr Robert Foley will become the new Head of the Defence Studies Department, and the Head of the War Studies Department is due to be announced in summer 2016. The need to understand the changing global security landscape has arguably never been greater, with the rise of Daesh, sophisticated terrorist attacks in urban locations around the world, Iranian nuclear ambitions, the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and the resurgence of Russia and the rise of China. Combining some 115 full-time faculty and over 300 doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, the School will build upon the long history of King’s as a university dedicated to generating new knowledge and understanding of security issues in the service of society. In doing so the School will provide a platform for greater collaborative research activity across the two departments and King’s more broadly, as well as significant opportunities for the development of new teaching programmes: residential, distance and blended. ■

News from the Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool

The Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool has Meanwhile, two members of the department have been awarded continued to develop its reputation for civic engagement, won teaching prizes. Dr Neil Gavin took the Liverpool Guild of Students plaudits for teaching quality and moved to a new home in time for Award for Teacher of the Year (Humanities and Social Sciences) its 60th anniversary. while Dr Wilks-Heeg won a University of Liverpool Sir Alastair Professor Richard Gillespie, Professor Erika Harris and Dr Stuart Pilkington Award for Teaching Excellence. In March, the Department Wilks-Heeg, all members of the department’s Europe and the World also moved to newly refurbished offices in the Georgian terraces Centre, have organised and taken part in a series of activities focused located on the university’s Abercromby Square, after 59 years in the on the EU Referendum debate. These have included on-campus Roxby Building. Former students and past members of staff who debates for staff and students, public talks and debates, talks for recall Roxby will doubtless recognise how pleased the department is schools, media interviews and an ‘EU myth-busting’ radio phone-in. about this move! ■

psa.ac.uk 8 The latest from Birkbeck Politics On 2 March 2016 in a lecture jointly organised with Birkbeck’s Department of Politics and chaired by Birkbeck alumnus and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP, Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz told audiences that "Inequality is bad for business, bad for the economy, bad for our democracies, and bad for society”. Introduced by Birkbeck Professor of Public Policy Deborah Mabbett, Professor Stiglitz – a member of Labour’s Economic Advisory Council and University Professor at Columbia University – described in detail the enormous growth in inequality over the last thirty years, especially in the USA, with the UK following behind. Median incomes in the USA have stagnated, Professor Stiglitz explained, with a real decline in incomes among full-time male workers being observed over the last four decades. He described how more people are now living in poverty, more wealth is being concentrated at the top, and middle classes are being ‘eviscerated’. The lecture was followed by questions from the audience, chaired by John McDonnell. Dr Alex Colas, Assistant Dean of the Department of Politics, commented: “It was an honour and a pleasure to host Professor Stiglitz’s lecture at Birkbeck. With this and other events on subjects like the EU Referendum and civil war in the Middle East, the Department of Politics is establishing itself as a venue where leading intellectuals, political figures and commentators discuss the most pressing issues of our time.” In other news, the department has recently teamed up with the Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies to launch a new interdisciplinary Master's programme in Global Environmental Politics and Policy. The programme combines critical social theory and detailed empirical analyses in exploring the contemporary relationship between population, environment, economy and human values, as well as key areas of environmental policy and law. It will be taught by faculty staff in Politics and Geography whose research deals with conceptual and practical issues of climate change, energy resources, global scarcity, violence, demographic change and environmental crisis. It will be available for both full-time and part-time students. More information is available at www.bbk.ac.uk/ study/2016/postgraduate/programmes/TMSGEVPP_C/ ■

New appointments for Liverpool Hope’s Politics team The Politics team at Liverpool Hope University has been strengthened recently with the appointment of two new permanent members of staff. Dr Danny Rye becomes a permanent Lecturer in Politics and Dr Stephen McLoughlin joins from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia as Lecturer in International Relations. This adds to the department’s capacities in both fields. Dr McLoughlin’s current research centres on the prevention of genocide and how states can develop sources of resilience to such atrocities. Dr Rye, who was awarded the Sir Ernest Barker Prize in Dr Danny Rye Dr Stephen McLoughlin 2013, brings expertise in British Politics and Political Theory. His research focuses on theories of power especially as they relate to understanding political parties, political organisations and engagement. ■

psa.ac.uk 9 New staff and degree programme at Goldsmiths’ Department of Politics & International Relations

Goldsmiths University of London is pleased to announce new additions includes an exciting range of new modules such as ‘Movements and to the faculty who will be taking up their posts from September 2016: Conflict in the Middle East: from the Arab Spring to ISIS’, ‘US Politics • Dr Elizabeth Evans, Senior Lecturer (feminism, US politics, identity and Foreign Policy’ and ‘The Politics of Conflict and Peacebuilding politics) (formerly at Bristol) in Contemporary Africa’, adding to a cutting edge interdisciplinary • Dr Andrea Mura, Lecturer (Middle East politics, Islamic political curriculum. This accompanies a new MA International Relations philosophy and comparative political thought) (formerly at Exeter) programme launched last year. ■ • Dr Rachel Ibreck, Lecturer (human rights, peace, conflict and development in Africa) (formerly at LSE). For 2016-17 Goldsmiths is launching a new undergraduate degree program, BA Politics and International Relations, offering students a grounding in major aspects of politics and IR, including: IR theory, international systems and global governance, political theory, UK, European and US politics, international political economy, and area- based studies of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America. This Dr Elizabeth Evans Dr Andrea Mura Dr Rachel Ibreck University of Nottingham News Professor Wyn Rees is to take over Interpreting the 2016 Philippine national election as Head of the School of Politics and SPIR’s Institute of International Relations (SPIR) in August Asia and the Pacific 2016, replacing Professor Mathew Studies’ blog series, Humphrey. Wyn’s tenure coincides with Ballots and Bullets, some significant changes to the University addressed what and Faculty, including new student service the 2016 national centres and management systems and a election meant for new Faculty administrative structure. SPIR the Philippines and will also welcome members of the former School of Contemporary why voters vote the Chinese Studies to strengthen its expertise on the Asia-Pacific region. way that they do. Contributors Furthering research into women in Asian parliaments followed the hard- SPIR’s Dr Carole Spary presented her research on women MPs in fought campaign of the Indian parliament at the ‘Inclusive Governance in South Asia’ winning presidential conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 8 – 9 May 2016. The conference, bid, Rodrigo Duterte, and addressed a range of foreign and domestic attended by scholars, INGO analysts, and parliament secretariat staff issues including poverty and environmental damage, the South China from South Asian countries as well as the UK, the US and Canada, Sea dispute, military modernisation, the Bangsamoro Peace Process was sponsored by the Asia Foundation and Southern University and the importance of the Overseas Foreign Worker vote. (Bangladesh), and organised by the Universities of Dhaka and The list of bloggers was diverse, featuring journalists, academics, Chittagong. postgraduate students, clergymen (including Barry Naylor, the A regional research network and conference volume is intended to retired Canon of Leicester Cathedral) and civil activists from around build on the momentum of Dhaka. Dr Spary’s research was funded the world. The blog’s readership, which is in its thousands, has been by the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust and based on a equally international and broad. Follow Ballots and Bullets at monograph co-authored with Professor Shirin Rai (Warwick). www.nottpolitics.org.

Major conference on history of the Red Cross Professor Neville Wylie is helping to organise a major conference in Australia to assess the rapidly expanding area of the history of the international Red Cross Movement. The convenors seek to bring together scholars and those interested in the Red Cross Movement from around the world to explore the historical development of this large, multifaceted organisation. The conference is being hosted by Flinders University in Adelaide from 9 -11 September 2016. View the conference programme at redcrosshistoryconference.com.au/ ■ psa.ac.uk 10

Radicalisation in South East Europe: Special issue of the Journal of Contemporary European Studies

A panel session on radicalisation, organised by Dr. Leonidas Karakatsanis perspective of radicalisation processes involving both societies and states and Dr. Marc Herzog (the British Institute at Ankara) at the PSA’s 2014 amidst a contemporary crisis of liberal democracy. Articles cover various Annual International Conference in Manchester, has been published as a instances of citizens’ radicalisation including the December 2008 uprising in special issue of the Journal of Contemporary European Studies. Karakatsanis Greece and the Gezi Park protests in Turkey. ■ and Herzog argue that the emergence of contentious politics in South- 'Radicalisation in South East Europe: Prospects and Predicaments’ can Eastern Europe in the late 2000s can be comparatively examined from the be accessed online at www.tandfonline.com/toc/cjea20/current. News from PAIS, Warwick PAIS has once again been ranked in the top flight of departments September 2013, and successfully completed his viva voce in December nationally and internationally. According to the QS World University 2013. His trans-disciplinary research sits at the intersection of Geography Rankings 2016, published on 22 March 2016, PAIS is 50th in the world and International Relations. and 9th in the UK. Additionally, PAIS has moved up from 6th place to PAIS and the Q-Step Centre at Warwick are delighted to announce 4th place in the Complete University Guide League Table, which follows the appointment of Dr Andreas Murr to the Assistant Professorship in our recent ranking of 3rd in The Times/Sunday Times. Quantitative Political Science. Currently, Dr Murr is Lecturer in Quantitative The department was also endorsed by Jeremy Corbyn MP who spoke Methods in Political Science at the Department of Politics and at the launch of Dr Keith Hyams’ report on the Politics of West Papua in International Relations at the University of Oxford, Associate Member at Parliament on Tuesday 3rd May. Mr Corbyn described the work, authored Nuffield College, Non-Stipendiary Lecturer at Lincoln College, and member by Keith Hyams and Marinella Capriati, as “an excellent report” and of the Oxford Q-Step Centre. He is also member of the editorial board of promised to take up its 14 recommendations which he said provided “a Electoral Studies, co-editor of The Plot, and co-convenor of the Political good way forward”. Lord Harries of Pentregarth, also present, has asked the Methodology Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association. We look PAIS team to prepare a list of Parliamentary questions based on the report forward to welcoming Dr Murr as of 1 September 2016. ■ which he will put to government. The Warwick report has been picked up by various news outlets including the Australian Broadcasting Commission. More information and a full transcript of Jeremy Corbyn’s comments are available on the PAIS website. PAIS is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Marijn Nieuwenhuis on a one-year Teaching Fellowship in International Relations and East Asia from June 2016. Marijn submitted his PhD dissertation,

‘Producing China: The Politics of Space in the Making of Modern China’, in Dr Marijn Nieuwenhuis Dr Andreas Murr

psa.ac.uk 11 Penal Policymaking: A Collaborative Symposium

On 14 April 2016, a range of policymakers, practitioners, researchers and reform groups came together at a symposium convened by Southampton University academics to address topical issues in criminal justice. This initiative, co-funded by the ESRC and the PSA’s Interpretive Political Science Specialist Group, facilitated deliberation and engagement between stakeholders in support of policy reform. The symposium comprised the following roundtable sessions:

Session 1: ‘Developing Sentencing and Penal Policy’ Dr Harry Annison (Southampton) stimulated discussion with key findings from his detailed analysis of the creation, contestation, amendment and (prospective) abolition of the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence.

Session 2: ‘Practitioners, Policymakers and Penal Policy’ Discussion was prompted by Mark Telford’s (Southampton) analysis of youth justice policymaking and the role of practitioners.

Session 3: ‘Localism, Markets and Criminal Justice Police’ Professor Ian Loader (Oxford) reflected on his substantial research in the areas of localism, political ideologies and private security. Dr Gwen Robinson (Sheffield) reflected on her empirical analysis of the effect and implications for probation staff of the Transforming Rehabilitation programme, and the resulting lessons for policymaking. The 43 attendees included 29 policymakers and policy participants. Among them were police, probation, prisons, sentencing and central government representatives. Organisations included the Ministry of Justice, Parole Board, Justice Committee, Law Commission, National Audit Office, and a range of researchers, service user groups, penal reform groups and voluntary sector representatives. The sessions showcased work based within interpretive political analysis frameworks, enabled attending members of the Interpretive Political Science specialist group to expand their networks, and has generated a great deal of interest in potential future projects and collaborations, which are currently being explored. ■ New Convenors for Executive Politics and Governance Specialist Group

The Executive Politics and Governance Specialist Group is now in the capable hands of Dr Shaun Bevan (Edinburgh) and Dr Eva Heims (LSE). As well as successful panels at the Annual Conference in Brighton, the group organised a special book manuscript discussion workshop to support the development of manuscripts to the devoted book series on ‘Executive Politics and Governance’ (published by Palgrave). ■ Shaun Bevan Eva Heims psa.ac.uk 12

Introducing Early Career Researchers Very low res, can we have a larger version? to a world of journal rankings, impact scoring and league tables

WORKSHOP: ‘Understanding and Interpreting the Key Metrics in Research and Teaching: Early Career Researchers in Public Policy and Administration’ Manchester Metropolitan University 12 September 2016, 10:00 -16:00 Geoffrey Manton Building

Organisers: Dr Rory Shand (Manchester Metropolitan submit work to, and the role of undertaking monographs, driven University) and Dr Claire Dunlop (University of Exeter) by different interpretations of journal ranking lists. Moreover, PPA This free one-day workshop, funded by the PSA Public Policy scholars are often expected to be more likely sources of impact and Administration (PPA) Specialist Group and hosted by case studies given the often practice-oriented nature of their Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), aims to unpack research. the key metrics – league tables, journal rankings and impact We have assembled PPA specialists at different stages of the scoring – for early career researchers (ECRs) who specialise in profession who care passionately about the pressures ECRs face public policy, administration and management. and can talk from first-hand experience about building a research The primary rationale for this event is the increasing profile, journal editing, teaching excellent and building an impact importance attached to performance in teaching and research profile. The day will be interactive – with speakers giving short metrics in gaining entry-level academic positions and in presentations designed to provoke open and relaxed discussions. subsequent career development. These metrics are dominated by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and the constituent Confirmed Speakers: impact agenda, as well as teaching quality measures such as Dr Sarah Cooper, University of Exeter National Student Survey (NSS), Times and Guardian league tables Dr Claire Dunlop, University of Exeter and the forthcoming Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). In Dr Katharine Dommett, University of Sheffield teaching delivery, the role of student feedback, through the NSS, Dr Leanne McCarthy-Cotter, University of Sheffield Times and Guardian league tables, places high demands in terms Dr Rory Shand, Manchester Metropolitan University of pedagogic delivery upon the ECR. Prof. Colin Talbot, University of Manchester Of course, these are measures which have implications for all academic staff across a range of disciplines. However, these Register: metrics have greater potential implications for public policy The event is free for PSA members. To register for a place please and administration. PPA ECRs tend to be located in business or contact Rory Shand: [email protected] political science departments, a difference which has implications A limited number of £50 travel bursaries are available. particularly in terms of the journals they are encouraged to This event is funded by the PSA’s ‘Pushing the Boundaries’ fund. ■

psa.ac.uk 13 A Decade of Sport and Politics

The Sport and Politics Specialist Group celebrated its 10th anniversary with a two-day conference on the theme of ‘Sport, Politics and Social Justice’ at Bournemouth University (4 – 5 March 2016). Keynote talks were given by Dr Louise Mansfield (Brunel University) on ‘Sport, Health and Wellbeing: Politics and Research-Practice-Policy Partnerships’ and Dr Bryan Clift (University of Bath) on ‘The Politics of Brazil and the Winning of Rio 2016’. The postgraduate prize winner for Best Presentation was Laura Richards (Newcastle University) who gave an engaging talk on the gender politics of Sport England’s’ This Girl Can’ campaign. The prize of £150 was kindly sponsored by Taylor & Francis. Sport and Politics annual conferences attract around 80 delegates per year, with this year’s attendees travelling from locations as far as Russia, South Africa, and the Lebanon. From 2017 the group’s Annual Conference will open with an International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics (IJSPP) distinguished lecture following the appointment of the group’s Chair, Dr Jonathon Grix, as Editor-in-Chief of the journal. Currently in its ninth year, IJSPP provides a forum for the application of political science theory and policy analysis frameworks to both domestic and international issues associated with sport. Grix is keen to expand both the contributors to and readership of the Journal beyond ‘sports studies’ and into mainstream political science, international relations and policy studies. With sport cutting across a wide variety of topics - corruption, doping, the distribution of scarce resources, government investment in sport, elite sport, sports mega- events, the politics of school sport, community sport provision – there is scope for a number of PSA members to contribute. Members interested in getting published in the Journal or joining the group should contact Jonathan at [email protected]. ■ Convenor, Dr Paul Gilchrist, celebrates the Group’s 10 year anniversary. Pushing the Boundaries of Diversity Management The PSA Ethnopolitics, Global Justice & Human Rights, and Women & The convenors welcome paper proposals of a maximum of 400 words Politics Specialist Groups will host an international conference 'Rights relating to any of the following suggested topics: in Diverse Societies: Gender, Migration and Ethnopolitics in the EU' at • The successful/unsuccessful integration of ethnic, national, Queen’s University Belfast, on 18 -19 November 2016. The conference cultural, religious, racial etc. diversity and diversity management in explores the intersections of ethnopolitics, gender and ethnic identities, contemporary contexts. and differential access to enjoyment of equal rights in diverse societies. • The gendered implication of migration and immigration (gendered Specifically, the conference will push the boundaries of three debate on migration in Western Europe, women’s and LGBTI people’s important yet heretofore separately conceived diversity management experience before, during and at the receiving end of the migration, strategies: politics and policies of governance for ethnically diverse gendered implications of accommodating migrants). societies; recognition of diverse identities in contemporary polities; • The challenges of thinking about equal rights in diverse societies and the modalities of social construction of equality in the context of (gendered, racialised, or otherwise stratified representations legitimise increasing diversity of contemporary politics. These three strategies are rights claims; normative and institutional limitations of individual often conceived to be in tension – focusing on government structures focused approaches to equality). versus government practices, as well as recognising versus acting upon Proposals should be submitted with details (name, institutional diversity. However, the goal of this conference is to identify areas for affiliation, contact details) to https://form.jotformeu. scholarly and practical engagement and to push the boundaries of com/60465535184357 by midday on 1 July 2016. Comparative and appreciation and understanding for cooperation between scholars and theoretical papers from young academics and postgraduate students will practitioners. be particularly welcomed. ■ psa.ac.uk 14

On 11 April Dr Emily Rainsford (Newcastle University, co-convenor of the PSA Young People’s Politics Specialist Group), Alexander ‘Evaluating Verto’ Dobson (University of Warwick) and Oliver Sidorczuk (Bite The Ballot) presented a report, ‘Evaluating Verto’ at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Democratic Participation in the in Parliament House of Commons, chaired by Chloe Smith MP. Verto is a Voter Advice Application (VAA) which was developed for use in the 2015 UK general election to assist voters to identify which party or candidate to vote for. The app was developed by Bite The Ballot, Demos, the Political Studies Association and academics at the universities of Lincoln, Newcastle, Royal Holloway and Warwick, and was specifically aimed at young people - the most difficult section of the electorate to mobilise. The report presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group shows that Verto was used by over 428,894 people during the 2015 election. Of these, around 40 per cent were in Verto’s target demographic of 18-25 year olds. The app also provided an insight into the policy preferences of its users since Verto users could prioritise the issues presented to them. Health care, education, the economy and welfare were the top-ranked issues. Given Verto’s significant potential to engage young people, Bite The Ballot and the academics associated with the project are keen to develop it further. Proposals for improvements to the VAA have been implemented in a version which was deployed during the May 2016 London mayoral election. Initial evidence shows that the mayoral VAA was used by just under 9,000 users. ■ Combining expertise on Brazilian Foreign Policy

This semester, the School of Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton awarded Dr Ana Margheritis a Strategic Research Development Fund Award to support her project on Brazil’s Foreign Policy. The fund was used to organise a workshop at the Brazil Institute, King’s College London, on 5-6 May 2016, which consolidated the academic partnership of distinguished specialists from the UK, Portugal, Germany and Brazil. The group has been collaborating informally for over a year, having last met at the international conference of the Latin American Studies Association. This combined expertise has become ever more relevant throughout the ongoing economic downturn and politico- institutional crisis in the country. The group will now focus on the main issues, actors and dynamics of Brazil’s foreign policy agenda; explaining setbacks in Brazil’s determination to play a prominent global role; and implications recent changes pose to the country’s strategies and analytical frameworks. As Brazil attempts to rise in global affairs, its foreign policy agenda and policymaking process is becoming more diversified and complex, thus questioning traditional analytical assumptions. The team therefore aims to understand to what extent an adaptation of policymaking mechanisms and strategies, and traditional foreign policy analytical frameworks, is required. ■

psa.ac.uk 15

Nottingham research centre intersects Economics and Politics

The Nottingham Interdisciplinary Centre for Economic and Political Adam Meirowitz (Princeton), Massimo Morelli (Bocconi), and James Research (NICEP) was established in 2015 by the University of Snyder (Harvard). NICEP will further welcome Timothy Hatton (Essex Nottingham’s School of Economics and School of Politics and and ANU), Alan Manning (LSE and Migration Advisory Committee), International Relations to promote interdisciplinary work at the Ewen Macleod (Head of the Policy Development and Evaluation crossroads between Economics and Politics. The centre aims at Service UNHCR) and László Andor (Hertie School of Governance, promoting interdisciplinary work in four main thematic areas: former EU commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) political representation, political behaviour, political economy and for a roundtable discussion on ‘Political and Economic Responses to public policy and quality of government. Mass Migration’. On 20-21 June 2016, NICEP will hold its inaugural conference at the The full programme is available to download at http://nicep. University of Nottingham. The conference will host invited sessions nottingham.ac.uk/inaugural-conference/. Please contact Anja with the following confirmed speakers: Timothy Besley (LSE), Catherine Neundorf ([email protected] ) or Cecilia Testa (cecilia. De Vries (Oxford), Andrew Hall (Stanford), Dominik Hangartner (LSE), [email protected] ) with any questions. ■ psa.ac.uk 16

Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University on air

Dr Brieg Powel local Vietnamese people as well as soldiers, and not only established (Aberystwyth University) his name as a famous Welsh photographer and photojournalist, but featured in the recent S4C also fought against US and Communist propaganda and helped to documentary Philip Jones change the course of history. Griffiths: Ffotograffydd Brieg Powel contributed to the historical and political explorations of Rhyfel Fietnam (Philip this documentary which also featured interviews with those closest to Jones Griffiths: Vietnam Philip Jones Griffiths, including John Pilger, Don McCullin and Professor War Photographer) which Noam Chomsky. aired on 28 February On 1 April 2016, Bleddyn Bowen (Aberystwyth University) featured 2016. Co–produced by as a guest to talk about his doctoral research on The Space Show, a US Welsh based company radio talk show which discusses issues regarding space technology and Rondo Media, and Jeonju exploration. Listen to the podcast at www.thespaceshow.com/show/01- Television in South apr-2016/broadcast-2676-richard-easton-dr.-bleddyn-bowen. Bleddyn Korea, the documentary and The Space Show covered numerous topics such as space warfare, celebrated the work of the space power theory, space weapons, US leadership in crises, Iranian late Philip Jones Griffiths. and North Korean missile, nuclear, and space programmes, and the Griffiths’ images of the Vietnam War captured the experiences of importance of the political and strategic study of outer space. ■

New Podcast: Talking migration

Talking migration is a new podcast on migration, supported by the Centre for Research in the Social Sciences at the University of Huddersfield and produced by Dr Clara Sandelind, which brings academics, policy-makers, NGOs and activists together in thought-provoking discussions about migration and diversity. The first episodes are available at www.talkingmigration.com. ■

psa.ac.uk 17 Political Insight calls for contributors

The PSA’s flagship magazine, Political Insight, is published thrice- yearly and reaches a broad audience with its entertaining, engaging and authoritative pieces on the latest politics and international studies research. In order to maintain its extensive coverage of varied topics such as human rights, terrorism, innovations in policy-making across the advanced industrial world, and the impact of globalisation, the magazine seeks new contributors to bring fresh ideas. Editor, Peter Geoghegan, is particularly keen to hear from women or people of colour, as well as those who have not published in the magazine before. “Since launching in 2010, Political Insight has developed a wide international readership and articles have been picked up by national and international media. Building on this I am very keen to commission new and diverse writers both on subject areas we have covered before and in new areas,” said Dr Geoghegan. Political Insight is published in April, September and December. Recent features have included the on-going war in Syria, Freedom of Information law and the European Union Referendum. If you have a flair for writing and interesting topic suggestions, you are encouraged to contact Dr Geoghegan at editor@ politicalinsightmagazine.com. Potential authors are advised to submit between 2000 - 2500 words and written in an accessible style, though an outline of ideas rather than full articles. Feature articles are generally shorter opinion and debate pieces will also be considered. ■

SAGE benefits PSA members

Don’t forget, PSA membership entitles you to a host of quality SAGE resources! For more information on how to access any of the below please visit psa.ac.uk/sage-resources.

• Access to over 500 books and reference works on Politics and • Six months of free access to the new SAGE Politics & International Relations through SAGE Knowledge, the premier International Relations Video Collection until December social sciences e-book platform for SAGE and CQ Press books and 2016. This online video collection contains over 130 hours of reference. video content created for use in teaching and research across • Full text access to a selection of high quality journals from higher education. With content types designed to fi t a variety SAGE’s Political Science, International Relations and Public of learning and research needs, interviews with renowned Administration programme. experts cover international migration, political philosophy, the • Free access to Archives Direct - a suite of primary source international relations of China and more. Discover seminal collections from The National Archives, UK. The digitised archive documentaries from BBC Worldwide and footage of famous of 19th and 20th century British Government papers contains political speeches from Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy over 2 million pages of highly relevant primary source content among others. from some of the most political periods in history, including • PSA student members also benefit from access to SAGE Foreign Office files, Macmillan Cabinet papers and ‘Women in the Research Methods - the ultimate methods library, with National Archives’. more than 1000 books, reference works, journal articles, and • Access to CQ Press Library - the place to search or browse instructional videos by world leading academics from across the resources on American government, current affairs, history, social sciences, including the largest collection of qualitative politics, public policy, and data analysis. methods books available online from any scholarly publisher. ■ psa.ac.uk 18

Upcoming Events

PSA Annual Public Lecture, ‘Is Shakespeare Always EPOP Annual Conference – University of Kent, 9 – 11 Political? Glenda Jackson in Conversation with Michael September 2016 Billington’ – The British Library, 20 June 2016 The annual conference of the Elections, Public Opinion and Parties Oscar-winning Actress turned MP, Glenda Jackson, is in conversation (EPOP) Specialist Group will be held from 9-11 September 2016 at the with esteemed Guardian theatre critic, Michael Billington, to discuss University of Kent. EPOP is one of the largest gatherings of researchers the political themes within Shakespeare’s plays and explore whether he and practitioners interested in electoral behaviour and public opinion. voiced the political issues of his time or whether his works have been appropriated by each new generation to suit their own ends. blogs.kent.ac.uk/epop/ www.bl.uk/events/is-shakespeare-always-political

9th Annual PSA/BISA Learning and Teaching Conference Political Methodology Group Annual Conference – UCL, – Newcastle University, 13 – 14 September 2016 27 June 2016 This two-day conference will focus on new challenges and The First Annual Conference of the PSA’s Political Methodology Group opportunities for students and teachers of Politics and International will be held at UCL from 9:30 to 17:30 on 27 June. The conference, Relations. It will explore ways in which we can engage with new organised by Professor Steve Fisher, Dr Andreas Murr and Professor developments at the levels of curriculum design, skills acquisition, Paul Whiteley, aims to help bridge the divide between qualitative and student engagement, innovative pedagogic techniques and broader quantitative methods in political research. questions of the purpose of university education in the changing world.

More information can be obtained from the local organiser, Nils sites.google.com/site/psatlg/ Metternich ([email protected]).

The “Brexit” Campaign: The 2016 referendum on UK PSA Annual Academic Lecture: ‘Another World Is membership of the European Union – University of Inevitable: Mapping UK General Elections – Past, Present Leicester, 27 July 2016 and Future’, Professor Danny Dorling – The British Library, 28 November 2016 This FREE one-day IAMCR pre-conference takes place a month after the EU Referendum, offering an opportunity to reflect on the result Our Annual Academic Lecture will be given by Professor Danny Dorling in the context of contemporary issues in political communication (University of Oxford) to coincide with the British Library exhibition, and campaigning such as news media reporting; popular culture and ‘The 20th Century Through Maps’. personality politics; voters, polls and results; political communication; the digital campaign; the future of the UK Government, Scottish More information will be available at psa.ac.uk/events soon. independence and the EU. The event will bring together some of the UK’s leading researchers in the field. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-brexit-campaign-2016-uk-referendum- on-membership-of-european-union-tickets-24771805136?utm_ term=eventurl_text

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

psa.ac.uk 19 Bringing Politics to Secondary Schools

With many students currently possessing little or no understanding of schools, students also have seminars on educational theory with a what politics is all about as they make their choices for A Levels and particular emphasis on critical perspectives that might include discussion their degree programmes, bringing politics into schools is essential to of multiple-intelligences or debates surrounding critical pedagogies, for the future of our discipline – especially when trying to make the field example. Once the in-class portion of the module is complete, usually accessible to a diverse range of young people. It is also important for after six weeks, students are guided through the production of a portfolio engagement with democratic systems; despite attempts to introduce of work that includes a critical essay on a question of their choice relating citizenship classes into schools, many young people reach voting age to the themes of the seminars. The aim is to create a virtuous circle of with no clear understanding of the political system, or that political theory and practice aimed at understanding how education policies questions extend far beyond the institutions of government. shape classroom experiences and how classroom experiences shape our To bridge these gaps, the PSA is starting a new initiative to explore how understanding of the critical tools we can bring to bear on this key feature politics academics can work with schools to foster an awareness about of the political world. and enthusiasm for politics, and develop ideas packs to support academics The value to the school pupils is clear. As one put it: ‘they helped me to work with schools in their local community. This would build on our see more deeply into the issues’. This is also the case from the secondary current offering to students over the age of 16 to include younger pupils. school teacher’s point of view: ‘it was great to have experts in the room To start the conversation three PSA academic members share what they with up to date knowledge about political studies’. And for the students are currently doing with schools and one PSA teacher member discusses that work in schools the experience tends to be transformative: ‘it really how the PSA has worked with her school. encouraged me to explore working in a field that I had previously not considered’. Bringing politics into schools is a key component in the Joanie Willett, University of Exeter sustenance of political studies within the UK but is also a terrifically “I started working with my daughter’s secondary rewarding experience for everyone involved; one that deepens our school two years ago. Getting access was easy appreciation of policy, political life and the nature of the political.” because I could start with conversations with the leadership team, and we could discuss what we each Dr Andy Mycock, University of Huddersfield could accommodate. The school devote one lesson per week to non- “Staff and students from the University of curricular activities, which was an ideal starting ground. I wanted to Huddersfield Politics department have been make my sessions as interactive as possible, and reach students that working with young people from schools across might have been put off by words like ‘politics’, so I ran a six week Kirklees as part of a project entitled ‘My Country, programme of 1 ½ hour current affairs discussion groups. The young My Vote’. In collaboration with Kirklees Council, I people were divided into groups of three or four, and chose a topical have been leading the project, which is designed to issue to talk about. The students really enjoyed their discussions! To encourage greater and more positive engagement by young people in my surprise they were highly engaged by events that were happening our democratic processes. The project offers a structured programme around them, and were keen to debate and explore topics from a of opportunities for young people to receive training from Council staff range of perspectives. We were even able to consider the broad reach and Huddersfield University-based academics and politics students on of political questions. For example, one group wanted to talk about work placement in how our democratic processes operate and how footballers’ pay. This quickly became an assessment of societal values, to conduct political campaigns. As part of this process young citizens inequality as a concept, and an examination of individual vs collective across Kirklees have participated in a series of workshops both within goods. This was very rewarding as an exercise, and I look forward to the their schools and at a special ESRC Festival of Social Sciences event next time I can offer a group.” at the University of Huddersfield. These workshops were provided by a range of stakeholders, including Kirklees Youth Council, Kirklees Dr Charles Devellennes and Electoral Services, and the Parliamentary Education Service, to Dr Iain MacKenzie, University of Kent encourage the development of youth citizenship skills and knowledge “The old adage that ‘you don’t really know a to allow them to conduct campaigns in their schools based on real subject until you have to teach it’ is at the heart issues of local concern. of Politics in the Classroom, a module that’s been The project has been running since 2013, with the winning teams from running for five years within the School of Politics and each school presenting their campaigns to Kirklees Council elected officials. International Relations at Kent. Students on this This year, the pupils’ campaign themes included improving youth services, module work in pairs with a local secondary school encouraging more engagement with local politicians, and better citizenship teacher delivering and, importantly, adding to education. The project ran until April 2016 and a civic reception with elements of the A Level Politics and Government local Dewsbury MP Paula Sheriff and local councillors was held in May at curriculum and, in one case, with Year 7 students in Dewsbury Town Hall. Data was collected by Huddersfield University politics their Citizenship classes. students and will form the basis of an evaluation of the programme and an Typically, the students begin in the role of teaching assistant but after academic publication. A session on citizenship education and democratic about 3 weeks they transition into taking the lead teaching sessions on participation has also been hosted for trainee teachers at the University subjects ranging from gender and ethnicity to the role of the judiciary of Huddersfield which drew on the My Country, My Vote project. For more in UK politics. In the citizenship class with the younger group, students details about the programme, see https://mycountrymyvote.wordpress. help organise a pupil election process: writing policies, creating campaign com/.” posters and then running the election itself. While working in secondary continued on page 20 psa.ac.uk 20

Bringing Politics to Secondary Schools continued from page19 restricted and if the PSA could take a lead in peer to peer collaboration this Alison Hall, PSA Member, Head of could enrich teachers’ expertise and bring new members to the Association. Government & Politics, Xaverian College, Finally, postgraduate members could be encouraged to liaise with local Manchester. schools and colleges to provide subject mentoring and the promotion of “We have worked with the PSA for a number of political science degrees. For me, any way in which regional universities can years, especially through their Speakers for Schools find ways to create links to support political studies from primary school programme. North West based specialists on voting, upwards is a win-win for the future of the discipline.” ■ political participation and ideologies have come into college and run workshops on topics to support AS & A2 curriculums. The PSA also The PSA is really interested in hearing other examples of how our invited us to attend their annual conference when it was in Manchester academic members have been engaging with schools. If you have which was an amazing opportunity for students to hear political an example to share please let us know. In response to the Chair’s researchers debating their views on contemporary issues and be able to Commission’s on Reaching Out and Adding Depth, the PSA will be take these views and apply them in class work. developing the breadth and depth of its offering to PSA teacher members to equip their students with greater political knowledge In terms of developing future support for schools and colleges, I would and awareness for the good of the discipline and wider society. This like to see the PSA work with Politics/Citizenship teachers to develop will include more resources to assist with A Level Politics teaching and teacher/student friendly materials to support the new curriculums. Another opportunities for CPD for our teacher members. idea would be an annual face-to-face or webinar session for teachers We also hold a list of academics who have signed up to provide talks to discuss and debate contemporary political issues with academics in to students for our Speakers for School programme. If any academic order to improve our expertise. With school budgets being reduced, the would like to be added please contact Josh Niderost, Programme opportunity for paid Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will be Development and Outreach Officer via: [email protected]. Democratic Devolution: A Young Citizens’ Assembly In April 2016, the PSA sponsored a schools’ event in Manchester from across Greater Manchester in education, health, transport, exploring the impact of regional devolution for young people across democracy and identity. Young participants were tasked with designing Greater Manchester. The PSA, represented by Dr Andy Mycock, joined policy recommendations in each of these areas which they then fed up with The Politics Project and Symmetry Creative for this unique back to their peers for discussion. Ideas included creating a youth ‘Young Citizens’ Assembly on Democratic Devolution’ which was kindly spokesperson to represent young people in the devolution debate, hosted by The People’s History Museum. Some 100 14-21 year-olds and cutting the cost of healthy living to improve diets and fitness. The from 16 schools and youth organisations were joined by 32 decision- day finished with participants presenting their policy proposals to the makers and experts. Young Citizens’ Assembly and mapping out ‘Next Steps’ in terms of Discussions about devolution have intensified in the past year in campaigning and further participation in devolution debates. Greater Manchester, but the debate is still consigned to a relatively The Young Citizens’ Assembly was an important first step, but small group of politicians and stakeholder organisations. Given that sustained engagement from young people will be essential to ensuring young people are notoriously difficult to engage in structural politics, that Manchester seizes the opportunities devolution presents. Early there is a real risk that their perspective could be overlooked. results are encouraging, with some groups already writing blogs on In an effort to encourage youth participation in the ongoing devolution or hosting assemblies in their schools to cascade their devolution debate, the event began with an upbeat explanation of learning to their classmates. A draft Youth Manifesto of the policy Greater Manchester’s devolution deals from Dr Mycock. BBC Political proposals will be delivered to the Greater Manchester Combined Correspondent for the North-West of England, Ari Ansari, then kicked Authority as part of their on-going consultation on devolution. The off the ‘Devo-Dragon’s Den’, where a number of Greater Manchester’s manifesto will be sent to Citizenship and Politics teachers in primary key decision-makers, such as Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard and secondary schools and colleges across Greater Manchester as part Leese, Ed Cox from the Institute of Public Policy Research North, and of a wider consultation of young people. A ‘Youth Hustings’ will be held Jennifer Williams, from Manchester Evening News, were asked to ‘pitch’ in early 2017 as part of the inaugural Greater Manchester mayoral their perspectives on devolution. The speakers’ contributions encouraged elections where the candidates will debate the final manifesto. Read astute questions from the audience of young ‘Devo-dragons’. more about the event at www.symmetrycreative.org/portfolio#/ In the afternoon, a series of themed workshops were led by experts demodevo/ ■

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