The Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for teaching and research.
The study of these disciplines at Oxford has a long and distinguished history and the department is now one of the largest in the field in the UK.

News & Media View all ›

Gideon Rachman interviews Rana Mitter about China’s Good War

14 October 2020

image
Following the publication of his latest book on how China has rethought its role in WWII, Rana Mitter discusses the book's themes with Gideon Rachman from the Financial Times. 

Louise Fawcett elected to Académie Royale de Belgique

09 October 2020

image
Louise Fawcett, Professor of International Relations and former Head of the Department, was recently elected to the Belgian Royal Academy (Académie Royale de Belgique) as Associate Member in ‘La Classe des Lettres...

Nick Owen and Petra Schleiter elected as new Joint Heads of Department

30 September 2020

image
The Department of Politics and International Relations has announced its new Joint Heads of Department: Petra Schleiter, Professor of Comparative Politics, and Nick Owen, Associate Professor of Politics.

Black Spartacus longlisted for Baillie Gifford Prize

30 September 2020

image
The biography of Toussaint Louverture by Sudhir Hazareesingh is included on the longlist of 13 books for the prestigious prize which celebrates the best in non-fiction writing. 

Spitz Prize awarded to Liberalism's Religion

16 September 2020

image
Cécile Laborde has won the prestigious book prize, handed out by The International Conference for the Study of Political Thought (CSPT), for her work on the complex relationship between religion, law and the state in...

COVID-19 Information

Michaelmas Term 2020: Protect our community. Protect the vulnerable. Protect yourself

All staff and students are being asked to look after themselves and others as the University returns for Michaelmas term. A range of guidance has been developed, reminding us of our personal and collective responsibility for keeping the University and local community safe. In particular, you are asked to:

  • Keep your distance
  • Wash your hands
  • Wear a face covering
  • Got symptoms? Get a test
  • Contacted by track and trace? Stay at home

COVID-19 University Resources

Email updates are sent regularly to DPIR staff and students, however the latest information can also be found online:

The Oxford University Politics Blog

October Surprise: How Foreign Policy Can Shape US Presidential Elections

The president’s recent diagnosis with Covid-19 sent the US presidential election race into a tailspin. As Donald Trump and Joe Biden jockey to regain control of the media narrative at a crucial phase of the campaign, speculation about a possible “October surprise” is widespread. Today, the term refers to any news story that breaks late in an election cycle and has the potential to affect the...
Read our blog

Events View all ›

Oct
21

Under pressure: journalists and the battle to keep reporting’

Wed, 21 Oct - 13:00

Oct
22

The Suffragist Peace

Thu, 22 Oct - 15:00

Oct
23

Bureaucratic Revolving Doors and Interest Group Participation in Policymaking

Fri, 23 Oct - 12:30

Oct
23

Laws, liberties and the will of the people (right and wrong): political thought in the wars of religion

Fri, 23 Oct - 12:30

Oct
26

Graduate Political Theory Conference - Day 1

Mon, 26 Oct - 11:00