The research strategy of the Department concentrates upon the development of a vibrant and sustainable research culture, the publication of high-quality research, the targeting of external funding for our research and the development of a funded doctoral programme.
The Department has come to establish itself as a centre of excellence in political science, political economy (comparative and international), international studies and international relations theory.
POLSIS is the proud host of the Institute for German Studies. The Institute’s research programme encompasses the politics, economics, international relations, history and culture of contemporary Germany. The department also plays host to Sociology at Birmingham.
Research in the Department is concentrated around the various research groups and research clusters.
In addition to our research groups we also have research clusters:
Highlighted research projects
More research projects throughout the department
Please direct any queries about the research conducted in the department to the Director of Research: Professor Peter Burnham, Telephone +44 (0)121 414 8225, Email p.burnham@bham.ac.uk.
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) result - The Department is delighted to celebrate its success as an international centre of excellence with another outstanding performance in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 85% of the research conducted in POLSIS was evaluated as being internationally recognised.
The results of a UK-wide research quality survey published on Thursday 18 December prove that the University of Birmingham’s research power has global reach and leads the world in a broad range of disciplines.
Learn more about the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)