Seven DPIR Academics recognised in the Recognition of Distinction Scheme 2026

Each year, the University of Oxford recognises academic excellence with the Recognition of Distinction Scheme. The Recognition of Distinction exercise is an annual scheme that confers the title of full professor to senior academics and researchers who demonstrate exceptional, sustained contributions to research, teaching, and academic service. 

This year, we are delighted to announce that the title of full professor has been conferred upon an outstanding seven DPIR academics: Radoslaw Zubek, Miles Tendi, Jeanne Morefield, Ranjit Lall, Alexander Kuo, Spyros Kosmidis, and Lucas Kello. 

Below is a brief summary of each of these academics' fields. More information can be found on their DPIR profile pages.

Professor Radoslaw Zubek's research interests include government, constitutions, institutions and governments, comparative politics and government, institutions and organisations, legislatures and parliaments.

Professor Miles Tendi is interested in civil-military relations, gender and politics, biography, intelligence and politics, intellectuals and politics and Southern African politics.

Professor Jeanne Morefield’s scholarship sits at the intersection of political theory, international relations, and intellectual history, with a particular focus on the relationship between liberalism, imperialism, and internationalism in Britain and America. 

Professor Ranjit Lall's research focuses on the political economy of international cooperation, development, and technological change. 

Professor Lall said: "I'm delighted by this recognition and grateful to the many colleagues in DPIR who have made Oxford such a rewarding place to work. Much of what I've done here has come out of conversations with them and with my students, so it feels like a shared recognition rather than an individual one. It's a real privilege to be able to pursue this kind of research here, and I'm looking forward to the years ahead."

Professor Alexander Kuo's research interests are in comparative and international political economy, labour and business history, and political behaviour.

Professor Spyros Kosmidis is interested in comparative politics and government; constitutions and government; democracy and Democratic Theory; elections and electoral politics; electoral systems; institutions and organisations; methods; political parties and representation.

Professor Lucas Kello analyses the implications of technological change for international order with a focus on geopolitical competition, state power, and government-industry relations in the development of strategic technologies.