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Our research sits at the intersection of the study of political theory, international relations, comparative politics, and sociology.

It is articulated around an ambitious vision focused on field-defining arguments that address the pressing problems of justice, international order and conflict, and democracy.

Award-winning, published in high-ranking outlets, and widely disseminated, our research shares a commitment to solving puzzles as well as promoting diversity, creativity, and interdisciplinarity.  

Research clusters

Research in our department is organised into three clusters: Applied Political Theory; International Organisations, Conflict and Cooperation; and Democracy and Participation.

Research that attracts prestigious funding

Our research has attracted major competitive grants such as the Liberal Way of War Major Research Programme, funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

In addition, many members of the Department have won prestigious personal funded fellowships, for example:

  • Dr Sarah von Billerbeck's Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Future Research Leaders funded project on "Self-Legitimation by International Organizations".
  • Professor Dominik Zaum's ESRC Public Sector Placement Fellowship in the UK Stabilisation Unit.
  • Miriam Sorace: UKRI Future Research Fellowship - £1,691,726 - DIVIDED: Preventing the Polarizing Effects of Economic Inequality.
  • Joseph O’Mahoney: Leverhulme Trust Fellowship (2024-2025) - The Decay of War: Legitimacy ad change in the International System.
  • Maxime Lepoutre: Philip Leverhulme Prize - £100,000. 
  • Victor Araújo: Inaugural Tyler Prize - £10,000. 
  • Jakob Hauter: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship - Why Russia Goes to War?
     

Read more about our past funding and grants

Speakers and seminars

Leading researchers from within the University, as well as visiting academics and practitioners, regularly present at seminars held in our Department in the spring and autumn terms.

Recent visiting speakers include:

  • John Bercow (Conservative MP, Speaker of the House of Commons)
  • Douglas Carswell (politician)
  • Sir Vince Cable (former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister)
  • Matthew Barzun (United States Ambassador to UK)
  • Stella Creasy (Labour MP)
  • Eddie Izzard (stand-up comedian, actor and writer)
  • Daniel Hannan (Conservative MEP)
  • Dame Margaret Hodge (Labour MP)
  • Paul Flynn (Labour MP)
  • Tim Yeo (politician)
  • Lord Kerslake (former head of the Civil Service)
  • Giorgio La Malfa (former Italian Minister).

Research impact

Our research shapes policy, raises public awareness and informs political debate. Many of our academics advise governments and international organisations.

97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output).

Read more about our research impact

Research centres

Our Department works with a number of research centres. We collaborate on world-leading research with academics from a range of disciplines across the University, as well as international organisations such as the UN.

Read more about our research centres

PhD study

Join our large, vibrant doctoral community, and work with world experts on research in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

Meet our experts

Our staff have exceptional knowledge in an impressive range of sociological and political topics and issues. Many of our academics are directly involved in influencing policy and international politics, sharing their expertise with governments and policymakers.

Joseph O Mahony

Dr Joseph O'Mahoney's story

Conquests are illegitimate. But what happens when states do it anyway?

Dr Joseph O'Mahoney

Lecturer in Politics and International Relations