Politics and International Relations (PIR)

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.

Professor Meryl Kenny (right) with the other Chancellor's Award winners and University of Edinburgh Principal Peter Mathieson. Photo credit: Neil Hanna

27/11/2024

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Professor Meryl Kenny receives University Chancellor's Award for excellence in teaching

Professor Meryl Kenny has received a Chancellor's Award for her outsanding contributions to teaching at the University.

Photo of Jana Alrahami at the UN, with a sign in front of her labelled 'United Arab Emirates'

08/11/2024

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS student attends United Nations General Assembly as youth delegate

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) student Jana Alramahi represented the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a youth delegate at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

16/09/2024

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic becomes Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) academic Professor Meryl Kenny has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

13/09/2024

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

SPS academic to become editor of Regional and Federal Studies Journal

Dr Davide Vampa from the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) will become lead editor of Regional and Federal Studies from 1 October 2024.

15 January 2025

16:00 - 17:30

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Dr Kate Wright - Book launch

Dr Kate Wright will be in discussion about her new book, Capturing News, Capturing Democracy: Trump and the Voice of America, co-authored with M. Scott and M. Bunce, and published by OUP (2024). Please join us for a dive into the book, followed by refreshments.

16 January 2025

15:00 - 16:00

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Making Space for the Gulf: Histories of Regionalism and the Middle East

Book launch - Making Space for the Gulf: Histories of Regionalism and the Middle East
Stanford University Press, 2024

30 January 2025

15:00 - 17:00

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Neither East, Nor West: Histories of Non-Alignment and Third Worldism in modern Iran

Talk from visiting speaker as part of PIR’s Contemporary Middle East Series 2024-25

School of Social and Political Science