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

The latest news from Politics and International Relations.

Events

The latest events 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.

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.

11/11/2025

Politics and International Relations

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.

22/09/2025

Politics and International Relations

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).

25/06/2025

Politics and International Relations

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).

20 April 2026

13:00 - 14:00

Politics and International Relations

Imagining Outer Space: Cooperation and Hierarchy Beyond the Earth

Joanne Yao will talk on 'Imagining Outer Space: Cooperation and Hierarchy Beyond the Earth'. This is a pre-read seminar – email rburles@ed.ac.uk if you wish to attend.

23 April 2026

12:00 - 13:00

Politics and International Relations

The Toxic Effects of Border Violence

Join us in conversation with Claire Loughnan, University of Melbourne

Palácio do Planalto and an image of Rogerio Schlegel

29 April 2026

15:00 - 17:00

Politics and International Relations

Votes and preferences for de/centralisation in Brazil

This talk outlines the electoral landscape of Brazil & examines the relationship between partisanship and preferences for de/centralisation

29 April 2026

18:00 - 19:30

Politics and International Relations

Scottish Elections 2026: Tax, spending and the economy

At this joint Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and University of Edinburgh event, leading experts on these issues will set out the current fiscal and public policy context, and analyse the proposals for the next five years put forward by Scotland’s political parties.

School of Social and Political Science