Departmental Seminar Series Spring 2010 (PDF 80KB, opens in a new window)
Staff News
Peter Burnham presented the paper `Marx and crisis’, at the IPE Inaugural Meeting, `From the international to the transnational’ York University, 16 October 2009. Pete has also just had his chapter published with Steven Kettell, `International Economy’ in The Oxford Handbook of British Politics, edited by Matthew Flinders, Andrew Gamble, Colin Hay and Michael Kenny (OUP, 2009).
Dr Jill Steans and Dr Donna Lee have both been invited by the Director of Strategy, Policy Planning and Analysis of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to attend a reception to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Research Analysis in the FCO in November this year. Dr Steans has been involved in the FCO’s Gender on the Agenda Initiative for some three years while Dr Lee has taken part in FCO off the record seminars on UK relations with South Africa.
On 21 October 2009, Julie Gilson was invited to talk at the Daiwa Anglo-Japan Foundation (Daiwa House, London), at a seminar on ‘Japan and Europe: Negotiating the Russian Relationship’. This was part of the Daiwa 2009 seminar series on ‘Changing World Views: International Challenges for the UK and Japan’, and examined relations with Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The other presenter was Mr Peter Gysin, Senior Policy Advisor, EU Energy Policy, at the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). He focused on European relations with Russia, whilst Julie’s paper examined Japan-Russia relations as a bilateral dialogue and as part of the Japan-EU framework. The session was chaired by Lord Lea of Crondall, trade unionist and economist, and the 70-strong audience represented academia, government agencies, embassies and the commercial sector, notably oil and gas companies. Following the presentations, discussion focused in particular on the energy sector and Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation.
Luis Cabrera was an invited participant in the 6th German-American Frontiers of Humanities Symposium, "Sovereign Bodies, Subject Bodies," in Potsdam, Germany, October 15-18, 2009. It was co-sponsored by the American Philosophical Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The interdisciplinary symposium brought together political theorists, anthropologists and art historians to discuss issues related to sovereignty at the level of political community and the individual.
On 16 October 2009 Edward Newman was in Stockholm to deliver a lecture and lead a discussion at the Swedish National Defence College, on the topic of 'root causes' of terrorism. Dr. Newman is a regular speaker at the Defence College, where the audience includes research analysts, foreign ministry and military intelligence staff. His lecture drew upon his research - published in the journals Terrorism and Political Violence and Studies in Conflict and Terrorism - which explores the social and economic background of terrorism and considers if such root causes can help us to understand where and why terrorist groups emerge and receive support.
Dr David Bailey recently published an article, ‘The Transition to 'New' Social Democracy: the role of capitalism, representation, and (hampered) contestation’, in the British Journal of Politics and International Relations. Developing an argument he makes in his book, The Political Economy of European Social Democracy, published this year with Routledge, Bailey argued that the transition from traditional to ‘new’ (or ‘third way’) social democratic parties was the result of the combined effects of capitalist pressures for welfare retrenchment and the tendency of party elites to suppress resistance to those pressures. As such, whereas a number of scholars argue that we might at some point see a return by social democratic parties to a more traditional pro-welfare programme, the article argued instead that successful resistance to neoliberal restructuring is unlikely to emerge from (centre-left) political parties. The argument is made with reference to recent developments in the British Labour Party and German SPD.
We are delighted to announce that Dr Donna Lee, an Associate Professor in the department, has recently been appointed Co-Director of Higher Education Academy subject centre for Politics, Sociology and Anthropology (C-SAP). The Centre supports departments and academic staff in a range of activities that enhance the student learning experience in these three subjects. Donna’s appointment will put POLSIS at the centre of the strategic development of learning and teaching in Political Science and International Studies in the UK. As Co-Director Donna will help the department forge links with policy-makers and employers, as well as develop partnerships with other departments and learning and teaching networks.
Dr Donna Lee recently presented a research paper on African countries’ involvement in the current WTO Doha Development Agenda at a one-day seminar Africa International : agency and interdependences at Chatham House in London. The seminar was attended by over 100 people including several representatives from UK businesses with economic interests in Africa, UK officials from the FCO & DFID, diplomats from a large number African embassies, academics from a number of countries, as well as staff from a dozen or so NGOs. Details of Donna’s research on the WTO can be found on her web pages
November Activities
Three members of the department presented their latest research at an international interdisciplinary workshop on Small States at the University of Cambridge on 16 November 2009. Donna Lee and Nicki Smith presented a paper on Small States in the International Political Economy, and Dr Andre Broome presented a paper on Small States and the IMF. The one-day workshop was attended by leading scholars from a number of UK, European and North American universities, policy-makers and diplomats from a number of Foreign Ministries, as well as staff from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Birmingham disciplines receive accolade 05/11/2009
Three academic disciplines at the University of Birmingham have been awarded ‘Excellence Group Status’ by the Centre for Higher Education Development in Germany.
Three academic disciplines at the University of Birmingham have been awarded ‘Excellence Group Status’ by the Centre for Higher Education Development in Germany.
Economics, Politics and Psychology were selected based on their outstanding achievement in publications and highly cited books.
The Centre for Higher Education Development, based in Gütersloh, is an independent institution that is committed to reform of the higher education system.
Facts and information about the CHE-Excellence Ranking can be found at: http://www.che-excellenceranking.eu.
The full results of their analysis can be found at http://www.zeit.de/excellenceranking
October Activities in POLSIS
As part of the ESRC-funded project Paradoxes and Contradictions in EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Middle East, in association with the University of Leeds, a workshop was held on 16 October 2009 titled Democracy Promotion and Human Rights in Europe and the Middle East (PDF, opens in new window). For further information please contact Dr Michelle Pace.
September 2009 research activities in POLSIS
POLSIS also hosted a contributors workshop for an edited volume titled Europe and Progressive Islamist Movements: Strategies for Engaging Political Islam (PDF, opens in new window) on 29 September 2009. Again, for further information please contact Dr Michelle Pace.
POLSIS hosted a conference organised by the Midlands Regional International Relations Network (MidNet) on 15 September 2009. The conference was titled 'The Future of Interdisciplinarity in International Relations' (PDF, opens in new window). For more information please contact Dr Nicki Smith or Dr Andre Broome, or visit the conference's homepage.
The Security Studies Research Group organised a one-day workshop on 22 September 2009 titled 'What Threatens? Building Bridges in Security and Conflict Studies’ (PDF, opens in new window).The workshop showcased current research on security and conflict studies across the University. For more information please contact Dr Asaf Siniver.
POLSIS hosts two international conferences in July 2009
The POLSIS International Relations Theory research group hosted a one-day workshop on 11 July 2009 titled 'Aesthetics and International Relations: Exploring the Frontiers of Visual and Cultural Politics'. The keynote address was given by Professor Roland Bleiker (University of Queensland, Australia).
POLSIS was pleased to support an international conference hosted by the Centre for Russian and Eastern European Studies. The conference was titled ‘The Caucasus and Central Asia: Theoretical, Cultural and Political Challenges’ and took place at the University of Birmingham 3-4 July 2009.
Professor Ronen Palan invited to attend international symposium at Luxembourg Palace
On Monday 15 June 2009, Ronen Palan presented a paper on the 'Functions and Opacity of Tax Havens' at the international symposium titled 'A World in Danger: Financial Mismanagement, State Regulation and Ethical Necessity'. The symposium took place at the Palais de Luxembourg, Paris, and fellow presenters included the former Prime Minister of the French Republic, Michel Rocard, the past President of the Swiss Confederation, Ruth Dreifuss and the French ambassador Stephane Hessel.
POLSIS co-hosts major international conference
“Bringing the Policy Back In”, a two-day conference co-funded by the European Commission and Advantage West Midlands, the regional development agency, brought together scholars, policy practitioners, government officials and regional leaders from commerce and industry to assess the EU’s policy remit and debate ways on which European policy can help improve citizens’ jobs and lives.
Please see below for two further reports on the conference:
POLSIS students debate Europe with EU Commission Vice President
Vice President of European Commission delivers keynote address at major policy conference
Results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise announced
The Department of Political Science and International Studies has performed well in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. In the 2008 RAE, 85% of the research conducted in POLSIS was evaluated as being recognized internationally in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Of this, 45% was recognized as internationally excellent or world leading. This outcome reflects the outstanding contribution of a very strong cohort of junior scholars who represent the future of the Department. POLSIS is currently ranked 11th of the research-intensive Russell Group universities, and is confident about improving its overall standing as it builds on existing strengths. The Institute for German Studies (IGS), which was entered under part of the European Studies submission, is now part of POLSIS and achieved an outstanding result, confirming its status as a global centre of excellence for the study of contemporary Germany. Significantly, 20% of ERI research merited a 4* rating.
POLSIS student wins prestigious scholarship
Helen Nanjala Nyabola has just been awarded a scholarship from The Rhodes Trust to do a Masters at Oxford University. Helen graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first-class degree in Politics and African Studies and during her time here also won the Vice Chancellors Prize for the outstanding student contribution in the university (for more information about this achievement, please see below).
Michelle Pace launches major ESRC-funded research project
Paradoxes and Contradictions in EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Middle East is a three year Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded research project that has been awarded to Dr Michelle Pace. The research project came into effect on February 2008 and will run until February 2011. This research project seeks to cast empirical and theoretical light upon an increasingly important aspect of international politics: attempts by the ‘West’ to export democracy to other regions. While acknowledging that the European Union (EU) is not the only actor with a democratisation agenda for the Middle East and that there are strategic reasons for the EU’s involvement in the region, the research examines whether a self-reflexive process on the part of EU actors on the precise nature of the ‘normative’ element in the EU’s democratisation agenda for the Middle East may be long due, if EU policy is to be effective.Complementing the research project an EU Democracy Promotion in the Middle East research group has been set up aiming at discussing, debating and analysing theoretical and empirical issues revolving around various themes concerning EU democracy promotion in the Middle East. Anyone from the academic, policy-making or civil society communities wishing to join this group can email Dr Pace.
POLSIS student publishes work in peer-reviewed journal
Fran Amery, a third-year student studying for a joint honours degree in Anthropology and Political Science, has had an article published in Reinvention: A Journal of Undergraduate Research. The journal is a new, peer-reviewed outlet for undergraduate research, and it is a significant achievement to have a piece accepted for publication in such a journal. The article, entitled 'Allowing the Other to Speak: The Relevance of Postmodernism to Political Analysis', argues that "postmodernism’s exposal of the hidden values and assumptions underlying much political thought, including the development of a methodology for interrogating these values and assumptions, has value both to critical analysts and to members of disempowered social groups" (Amery 2008). The Department is delighted to extend its congratulations to Fran on her success.
POLSIS student wins Vice-Chancellor's prize
Congratulations to Helen Nanjala Nyabola (who gained a 1st BA degree in African Studies/Political Science) on being awarded this year’s Vice- Chancellor’s Prize. The prize “is open to final year undergraduates at the University and takes into account scholarship, as well as personality, leadership and manners”. Nanjala’s engagement both within and outside the University is too strong to give a full account here, but she has been very active in organizing events and programmes that bring together Birmingham students and people from African countries, often but not only her native Kenya. Last year, she successfully organized a fundraising event called Umoja Day: A Celebration of Kenyan Culture. She has been a member of AIESEC, presented the news for Burn FM, participated in Model United Nations, worked as a volunteer on HIV/AIDS charities in the Czech Republic and Togo, and this is only a selection of the many activities she has been involved in.
In the nomination form, we wrote that “Nanjala has engaged in academic and extra-curricular life in a manner that show a cosmopolitan outlook and a strong social conscience. She has demonstrated these in the conduct of a whole range of activities that benefit not just herself, but also her country and its people, on the one hand; and our ability, here in the West Midlands, to understand and connect with both the rich culture and the economic problems of various parts of Africa, on the other. In an increasingly individualistic world, Nanjala’s public-spirited approach to both study and social life is outstanding.”
Thanks go to Caroline Hughes for preparing the case. Above all, however, we should all thank Nanjala for all the work that she has done in Birmingham, and wish her all the best for the future.
Recent research funding awards
Michelle Pace has received funding of £500 from UACES towards the final conference of her British Academy project on “A 'Modern' Islamic democracy? Perceptions of democratisation in the Arab-Mediterranean world” in March 2009.
Ronen Palan, together with colleagues from the Geography Departments in Birmingham and Leicester, has successfully applied for an ESRC seminar series on “ Renegotiating Boundaries”. The seminars will be held in Birmingham. The total value of the grant is £ 19k.
Carolyn Moore together with Nat Copsey from CREES, has been successful in obtaining funding for a conference, this time from the European Commission for an event on the future of the EU across a number of policy areas, to be hosted in the ERI in May, to a total value of €30k.
Lou Cabrera has been successful with his British Academy Small Grant Application of £2503 for a project on The Practice of Global Citizenship
John Redmond has also been successful of securing a grant of £3740 for a project on Summitry in an Enlarged European Union, again a British Academy Small Grant Application.
