Politics and International Relations

Welcome

Welcome to Politics and International Relations - one of the largest and most vibrant subject areas in the University. Our alumni include government ministers, members of parliament, policy analysts, broadcasters, business leaders, teachers and an increasing number of social entrepreneurs.

Our academic staff produce world-class research across several areas, which not only informs our teaching but also the wider academic discipline. In the last UK-wide assessment of research we were rated within the top 10 universities in the UK, and number one in Scotland.

About

We’re one of the largest and most exciting subject areas in the University, home to over 600 top undergraduates and 100 international postgraduate students every year.

Programmes

Our teaching and supervision is research-led, which means that courses at all levels are delivered by scholars active in research in their respective fields.

Research

Our aim is to produce research at the highest international standards, consolidating our position as one of the leading international locations for research on subjects such as multilevel governance, European integration and global politics.

People

Find out more about our team of academic colleagues, PhD students and professional services staff who keep our department running smoothly.

News

See the latest news updates from Politics and International Relations.

Contact

You can find us in the Chrystal Macmillan Building in George Square - right at the heart of the central campus. Busy all year round, George Square is also home to performers and artists during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

Edited from PIR: Comparative European Politics

Comparative European Politics (CEP) arises out of a unique editorial partnership linking political scientists in Europe and North America. The journal explores challenging questions about the limitations of existing disciplinary perspectives and theoretical conventions.

image of regional and federal studies journal

Edited from PIR: Regional and Federal Studies

Regional and Federal Studies publishes research on federalism and territorial politics covering a wide variety of topics related to divided political authority and levels of government.

review of international studies journal image

Edited from PIR: Review of International Studies

Review of International Studies (RIS) publishes high-quality research that makes significant contributions to conversations about global politics, broadly defined.

Edited from PIR in partnership with Edinburgh Law School: Global Constitutionalism

Global Constitutionalism (GlobCon) offers an interdisciplinary space for addressing the foundations, limitations and contestations of the principles and norms of political order and their dynamics over time on a global scale.

Photo of five women, all PSA Founding Fellows, holding their certificates and smiling at the camera

14/05/2025

Politics and International Relations

Three SPS academics are new founding fellows of the Political Studies Association

Professor Sarah Childs, Professor Meryl Kenny and Professor Fiona Mackay from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have become founding fellows of the Political Studies Association (PSA).

The Scottish Election Study team holding their prize certificates and smiling into the camera

09/05/2025

Politics and International Relations

SPS academics receive the Pippa Norris Prize from the Political Studies Association

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics who run the Scottish Election Study have received the 2025 Pippa Norris Prize from the Political Studies Association (PSA) for outstanding contributions to advancing knowledge in political studies.

Photo of four SPS academics - Fraser McMillan, Ailsa Henderson, Davide Vampa and Meryl Kenny - with their prizes

05/05/2025

Politics and International Relations

SPS course awarded Jacqui Briggs Prize from the Political Studies Association

A team of School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics has received the 2025 Jacqui Briggs Prize from the Political Studies Association (PSA) for outstanding contributions to advancing teaching and learning in political studies.

Photo of a man putting a vote in a ballot box

23/04/2025

Politics and International Relations

English politics are marked with ‘Anger, Frustration and Fear’, according to new research from SPS academic

The majority of voters in England describe themselves as ‘angry’ or ‘fearful’ about British politics, according to new research from School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Professor Ailsa Henderson.

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School of Social and Political Science