School of Social and Political Science

“We Are Standing on Our Own”: The Informal Economy in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Both Zambia and Zimbabwe were labour reserve economies and settler colonies with rather small urban informal sector dominated by women who used it to supplement their husbands’ income from wage work in the colonial and early postcolonial period. Postcolonial economies in both countries relied quite heavily on the state, and economic liberalisation led to a rapid decrease in formal employment and, consequently, the rise of the informal economy as the primary source of livelihood.

Trump 2.0 and the future of US Health Policy

On the cusp of Trump’s second inauguration, panelists will discuss what we might expect for US health and healthcare over the next four years.

'Free the Map' book event with Professor Henk van Houtum

'Informality in Policymaking' Book Launch

Join us for the launch of 'Informality in Policymaking' book, where we'll dive into how casual approaches shape important decisions!

Transformative indicators for women, peace and security | PeaceRep research seminar with Dr Laura McLeod

PeaceRep’s January research seminar will feature Dr Laura McLeod, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Manchester. Laura will present her recent article, Transformative indicators? Gender expertise and technocratic peace, followed by a response from PeaceRep Senior Research Fellow Laura Wise and an open discussion.

RTC Talking Methods Seminar - Critical and quantitative?

While qualitative research presents obvious strengths for critical & feminist population research, quantification is also essential to critical social science’s emancipatory aim.

What is happening in Yemen?

Join the Middle East Research Group at Edinburgh University for a lunchtime discussion with Helen Lackner, author of many books about Yemen and of a regular insight newsletter. How far have the Houthi attacks on maritime shipping enhanced or undermined their popularity in Yemen? What is the situation for millions dependent on international humanitarian support; has access improved or deteriorated; what are future prospects for peace and much more.

Methods of Carceral War: Prison Rebellions, Black Radical Consciousness, and Counterinsurgency Lessons from Attica

Grounded in a criminalised tradition of Black radical analysis, this lecture reframes 'mass incarceration' as carceral war. In doing so, it demystifies the U.S. prison system as a modality of counter-insurgency

Where is the anthropology of kinship? Its critical potential for the science of parenting interventions

What might the anthropology of kinship have to say about global child development?

Funding sustainable welfare: A critical review of the options - Milena Büchs

Science Advice and Policy Influence: The Case of the Swedish Climate Policy Council

Since 2008, more than 40 countries have established climate councils. For these to be successful they should be science-based and politically independent, while maintaining close contact with the governments they review and advise. Göran Sundqvist (in-person) and Linnéa Aarthun (online) will examine how the Swedish Climate Policy Council meets these “success criteria”; uses their autonomy to present consensus science-based advice that the government needs to listen to; and, their reflections on the political results.

Inaugural lecture: Professor Meryl Kenny

How do gendered institutions change (and stay the same)