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SPS subject areas climb in 2026 QS world subject rankings

Five School of Social and Political Science (SPS) subject areas have improved or maintained their standing among the world's leading universities, according to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject — with Social Policy regaining its top 10 position.

15/04/2026
Tam-Dalyell-Prize-Lecture
26/02/2026
Politics and International Relations

Professor Ailsa Henderson wins prestigious Tam Dalyell Prize for public engagement

Professor Ailsa Henderson has won the University of Edinburgh’s Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science.
SES

ESRC funds Scottish Election Study for another five years

The Scottish Election Study (SES) project has received funding for another five years to continue its work examining the political attitudes and behaviour of voters in Scotland.

11/11/2025
Kate Wright

Professor Kate Wright wins Outstanding Monograph of the Year for book on Trump and Voice of America

Professor Kate Wright and her co-authors have won the Outstanding Monograph of the Year Award from the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA).

22/09/2025
Photo of the book cover beside a headshot of Kate Wright

SPS academic’s book on Trump and Voice of America recognised in prestigious international awards

A book by School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Professor Kate Wright received honours from international communications organisations for its important insights into Donald Trump and the state-media network Voice of America (VOA).

25/06/2025

SPS academics join expert sub-panels to lead REF

Professor Ailsa Henderson and Professor Tobias Kelly from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have been appointed to the expert sub-panels of the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

19/06/2025
Photo of five women, all PSA Founding Fellows, holding their certificates and smiling at the camera

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).  

14/05/2025
The Scottish Election Study team holding their prize certificates and smiling into the camera

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. 

09/05/2025
Photo of four SPS academics - Fraser McMillan, Ailsa Henderson, Davide Vampa and Meryl Kenny - with their prizes

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.

05/05/2025
Photo of a man putting a vote in a ballot box

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.

23/04/2025
Two students walking in a building, beside a sign for the 'School of Social and Political Science'

SPS subject areas among world’s top 50 and UK’s top 10 in 2025 QS rankings 

Four School of Social and Political Science (SPS) subject areas are in the top 50 in the world and top 10 in the UK, according to the latest QS World University Rankings. 

20/03/2025
Photo of inside the Scottish Parliament building

SPS academics develop Scottish Parliament guide for gender sensitising parliaments

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academics Professor Meryl Kenny and Professor Sarah Childs have worked with the Scottish Parliament on a guide that aims to improve equal participation and representation of women in parliaments around the world.

19/02/2025