Impact is a core part of our research in politics and international relations at Reading, with academic staff regularly advising and working with senior officials in international organizations, national governments, political parties, and non-governmental organizations. From our research on the use of counter-narratives to challenge hate speech online to how to counter proxy actors in current conflicts to using AI in polling and surveys, the department ensures that its cutting-edge research in political theory, international relations, and comparative politics reaches those who need it most.
Our researchers work regularly with NATO and its centres of excellence (including European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid COE); Center of Excellence – Defence Against Terrorism; NATO Southern Hub), numerous UN agencies and missions (such as the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Department of Peace Operations; Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate; Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights), and national governments (including the UK, US, Germany, Sweden, Kenya).
Beyond institutional links, we work with local civil society organizations around the world – from Guatemala to Somalia. Our research centres – Reading Ethics and Political Philosophy (REAPP), the Centre for Global Security and Governance, and the Centre for Political Behaviour and Policy Analysis – work to bring together our academics with policymakers and practitioners in a variety of formats to exchange knowledge and produce policy-relevant research that is both innovative and actionable.
