September 2010, ISSN 0955-6281, Vol. 21 No. 3 Building for the Future Speaking at the American Political forthcoming publication of Wyn Grant’s Science Association conference in Development of a Discipline: The History of Washington DC, Professor Vicky Randall the Political Studies Association which is reflected on the UK Association’s eagerly anticipated. achievements of the last 60 years and Other highlights of the Diamond looked forward to future initiatives. Jubilee celebrations include the Awards The Association’s 010 conference Ceremony in November which promises held in Edinburgh, attracted over 1,000 to be a highly memorable occasion. delegates from 51 different countries The 010 annual lecture, organised and demonstrated the way UK political jointly with the Hansard Society, will be science is internationally recognised. given by Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime The Association’s achievements are Minister on the 16th November. Terrence Casey, British Politics Group; Dominick noted in two important books – British The Association is looking Chilcott, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy; and Graham Wilson, Boston University at the APSA Political Theory in the 20th Century, forward to providing more assistance Conference edited by Paul Kelly and New Directions to departments through its heads of in Political Science edited by Colin Hay. departments conferences and to Vicky Randall also drew attention to the continued on page 8 Claire Annesley, University of Manchester and Carole Spary, University of Warwick in Washington DC Invitation to Participate in Diversity Focus Carole Pateman, President – Elect, APSA; Henry E. Brady, President, APSA; and Vicky Randall, Chair, Groups see page 3 Political Studies Association at the APSA Conference 010 Association News | 2 New ESRC Chief Executive | 6 Aberdeen Politics and IR | 1 In Full View | 17 Early Career Event | Politics and IR at Reading | 1 Why ‘Retire’ at 65? | 17 Higher Education Landscape | Specialist Group News | 7 ELAC Institute | 1 Studying British Politics in the What’s the Best Politics Book? | New Developments in Hong Kong | 7 News from Oxford | 14 American Heartland | 18 Diversity Focus Groups Invite | Greece Beyond the Crisis | 7 Expansion Continues at Brunel | 14 Coalition Government: Consequences Nick Clegg Lecture 010 | Deliberative Democracy | 7 Politics at Aberystwyth | 15 and Implications | 18 New Editors for Political Studies | Leaders of the Opposition | 8 POLSIS at Birmingham | 15 Choosing the Labour Leader | 19 AoSS Invites Nominations | 8 News from Northumbria | 16 Making the Case for the Social Sciences | 0 Grad News | 4 Public Administration and Development | 1 Editor’s Note | 4 Department Profile | 9 A time to Confer | 16 New Editorial Team at JCMS | 1 Graduate Conference 010 | 4 King’s College War Studies | 9 Global Health Workshop | 16 Using a Blog to Raise one’s Profile | Graduate Network Conference | 5 Opening Up Politics at OU | 10 Governance and Policy in the UK | 16 Conference Report | 5 Annual APSA Conference | 17 61st Annual Conference, London 011 | 4 Department News | 11 Reordering Power, Shifting Links to other Associations | 6 Centre Established at SOAS | 11 Boundaries | 17 60 years of the IPSA | 6 New Staff at Nottingham | 1 PSA_September_2010_aw.indd 1 10/09/2010 16:17:50 Association News Early Career Event What’s the Best Lyndsey Harris and Kevin Hickson sessions certainly facilitated a relaxed, represented the Political Studies friendly discussion. Politics Book Association at an event designed Among the other topics under for those in their early careers. The discussion were preparing for the PhD you’ve Ever Read? meeting was held at the University of viva, getting published, curriculum Birmingham on 14th and 15th June in delivery, resources for teaching, and David Denver association with C-SAP and BISA. All career paths and promotion. Both Kevin those present worked in the areas of Hickson and Lyndsey Harris found the As part of the 60th anniversary politics and international relations. sessions to be of considerable interest celebrations, the ‘010 In total 15 people attended the event and added their own experiences to date. Committee’ came up with the and the Association provided 10 grants to The feedback from delegates was that the idea of making a special award to cover the costs of the conference which conference had been a success. honour what was judged to be the were gratefully received by those who best book to win the Mackenzie attended. The sessions were led very Contacts prize since its inception in 1987. effectively by Ranald Macdonald from The Political Studies Association’s On further reflection, however, it C-SAP. involvement in the event demonstrates was decided to make the award its commitment to promoting the really special by extending the Away from Home interests of those at the junior level of field to cover the lifetime of the The main aim of the conference was to the profession where there are particular Association. We want to consult allow delegates to speak openly about issues including short-term contracts and the membership on this and so their experiences so far in a relaxed heavy workloads. during September members will environment away from their home Lyndsey and Kevin would be very have an opportunity to vote on institutions. Much of the first day was keen to hear from anyone who wishes what they think is the ‘best book given over to discussing experiences to discuss any issues of interest to early in British political studies’ in the so far, both positive and negative, and career academics and can be contacted last 60 years. what it was like to be a new lecturer. The via the Political Studies Association. A Daft Idea Before complainers get hot under the collar let me say that we are European Higher Education perfectly aware that this is in some ways a daft idea. There is no Landscape difficulty in deciding what counts as ‘British political studies’ – about The Political Studies Association has Spanish Political Science Association the UK or written by someone joined with twenty-three other national (Prof. Pablo Oñate) and the Political employed in a UK institution. On associations to promote the discipline’s Studies Association (Prof. Neil Collins). the other hand, what is to count interests and pursue its professional goals Prof. Suzanne Schuttemeyer from the as ‘best’? Most influential? Most through the European Confederation of German Political Science Association is original? Most impact outside Political Science Associations (ECPSA). the first president of the ECPSA. academia? And that is without The Confederation seeks to make political The next General Meeting of the beginning to tackle the problem science more meaningful in public debate ECPSA will be in Budapest on 8th and of how to judge between books in and policy-making. 9th October. At it the Association will different areas – political theory, Among other things, the union be advocating an increase in the number say, and election studies. of national associations is a reaction and range of activities undertaken by the Nonetheless, the exercise to the increasing harmonisation of the ECPSA and, to this end, will promote is virtually costless and might European higher education landscape. projects on such subjects as the ageing of generate some interest in the ECPSA creates a framework for the the profession, technology and diversity. Association and the kind of work cooperation and exchange in Europe that we do. At the very least, it is related to all aspects of political science a bit of harmless fun. as an academic discipline as well as its An email is being sent professional organisation. asking members to vote on a In June 008 the first elections of (fairly long) short-list of books (or the executive committee of ECPSA were write in any other). I’d be grateful held in Valencia, Spain. The EC consists if you could complete this and of representatives of the Finnish Political return to me. The results of this Science Association (Dr. Kia Lindroos), consultation will determine the the Hungarian Political Science prize winner. Shaun Bevan and Francesca Gains from the University Association (Prof. Andras Bozoki), the of Manchester at the APSA Conference 010 PSA_September_2010_aw.indd 2 10/09/2010 16:17:52 Association News Invitation to Participate in Diversity Focus Groups Vicky Randall number. Figures available from the ❖ either postgraduate research Political Studies Association Chair Higher Education Statistics Agency do students or within no more than suggest that one major ‘leakage’ point three years of having achieved their The Political Studies Association’s is at the transition from undergraduate doctorate and Diversity Working Group has met to postgraduate taught courses and ❖ falling into the category of British- a number of times. It organised a research degrees, but we know less domiciled black or minority ethnic. Diversity Awareness Forum last year about the transition from study to taking and a further meeting this year, in up a politics post. All travel and other incidental expenses conjunction with the Runnymede Against this background, during will be reimbursed. Trust and Oxford Brookes, on the topic late October/early November we If you yourself fit this description of mentoring. One of the difficulties are hoping to organise at least two and would like to take part, or would like we face in taking this issue further, focus groups in which participants more information, please contact James however, is our lack of detailed are encouraged to reflect on their Chiriyankandath at James.Chiriyan@ information. In the last two surveys experiences, their aspirations and what sas.ac.uk, (it would be very helpful if you of the profession, conducted in 2006 kinds of assistance or support they could at the same time provide details of and 2009, only a very few respondents would value. The plan is to hold one your ethnicity and gender).