Vision, Mission and Impact

For generations, the University of Oxford has produced some of the finest political scientists and international relations scholars, working and studying in diverse roles across the globe. Over the last 25 years, this community has come together under the name of The Department of Politics and International Relations or DPIR. 

Spark

Vision 

Our vision is a world with a wider understanding of political power, process, and its impact. 

This is what we study, and this is what we teach.  

 

Mission  

We employ the very best academics, and we pride ourselves on ensuring that an Oxford Politics and International Relations education is available to the very best students around the world.  

 

Impact 

We do more than analyse politics – we transform it.  

Our research shapes debate in parliaments, informs international policy, and influences public understanding of global issues. From democracy and conflict to technology, inequality, and climate governance, we confront contemporary international challenges and explore the critical concerns of the future. 

 

Our vibrant community  

 

Our academic environment is a thriving community of leading teachers, students, and researchers – where established and emerging experts collaborate across disciplines to find real world solutions to the most pressing issues. Rich debate, intellectual curiosity, and a shared sense of purpose drive discovery and the continual advancement of the discipline. 

 

We are home to our flagship undergraduate degrees: