School of Social and Political Science

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As the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic year comes to a close, take a look back at some of the news highlights from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) community. 

School news 

Students and staff at SPS excelled in their studies and work throughout the semester. Here are just some of their stories. 

Student and alumni news: 

• Undergraduate Politics and International Relations student Phoebe Lagard won the Political Studies Association Specialist Group on Parliaments annual Undergraduate Essay Competition.  
• SPS graduates were recognised by Scottish Edge for their innovative, sustainable start-ups. 
• SPS Winter Graduation Ceremonies at the end of November honoured the class of 2023. 

Academic and research news: 

• Sociology’s Dr Jess Britton was involved in a global electricity decarbonisation effort, which aims to create 100% renewable energy power grids worldwide. 
• SPS colleagues and Witwatersrand partners launched a new doctoral programme to enhance interdisciplinary sustainability research and teaching capacity across Africa. 
• Four new Chancellor’s Fellows started at SPS this semester. 
• Social Policy’s Professor Sotiria Grek received an ERC Consolidator Grant for work examining the role of the arts in the production of public policy. 
• Professor Oliver Escobar from Politics and International Relations is involved in a new UK hub for behavioural research, which aims to help tackle societal and economic challenges. 
• Social Work researchers were involved in Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose to support children who experience abuse and violence.

This is only a selection of the many news stories from this semester – see all School news stories

Events  

The School hosted a rich and varied programme of events throughout the semester, including seminars, workshops, lectures and roundtables on a broad range of topics across all subject areas. 

Some event highlights are: 

• The inaugural annual Julie-Ann Macqueen lecture, in memory of Julie-Ann Macqueen, an alumna of the Diploma in Social Studies at the University of Edinburgh in the 1960s. 
• Locked-Down Love: Anne’s Law, Care Homes and the Next Pandemic – a panel discussion on how to bring Anne’s Law into legislation, organised by Head of Social Work George Palattiyil and featuring two MSPs. 
• Yellow Tulip Project Hope Garden Planting – a tulip planting event led by student Suzanne Fox, that aimed to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness.  
• Professor Ben Rosamond’s Inaugural Lecture, ‘Conservative economic policy discourse since the global financial crisis: from BS to deepfake.’ 

See upcoming events for next semester here. 

Other semester highlights 

• Politics and International Relations’ Professor Meryl Kenny spoke at a European Parliament public hearing on women’s political participation. 
• Dr Kate Wright, also from Politics and International Relations, was appointed to sit on an international expert working group for the Forum of Information and Democracy 
• The SPS pandemic playlist, curated by Sociology’s Dr Lisa McCormick, was launched. 
• The SPS Choir (made up of students and staff) performed at a Christmas get-together in the foyer of the Chrystal Macmillan Building. 
• On-campus and virtual Open Days provided a warm welcome to many future and prospective students. 

These are just some of the activities involving our SPS community this year and there are lots more to look forward to for the semester ahead. 

Wishing you a great festive season from everyone at SPS!