The Department of Government at Strathclyde
The Department has a long history of international research excellence and offers first class supervision in areas of its research excellence. The Department is made up of internationally recognized experts working across four main areas of political science (see below). It has an excellent record of attracting external research funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Leverhulme Trust, the Nuffield Foundation, and the British Academy.
The research environment
The Department offers a strong and vibrant environment in which to pursue postgraduate research. The Postgraduate Colloquium is a forum for students to present their own research and to learn from research experience of members of the Department. Postgraduate students also participate in research seminars given by members of staff and visiting speakers. In addition to the Department’s research training programmes (see Getting Started), we also support participation in specialist research training programmes such as the European Consortium for Political Research Summer School.
We attach particular importance to developing career skills and experience. Research students are encouraged to participate in the professional associations of which we are members. Our research postgraduates have teaching opportunities which provide an additional source of income, as well as developing teaching skills. The Postgraduate Assistant Scheme enables students to work alongside members of the Department on a range of academic tasks from managing research projects to conference organisation.
Research expertise
The Department offers expertise across the political science discipline, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Elections and Representation
The Department has a particular strength in the study of voting behaviour, political attitudes, political parties and parliaments, and is one of the leading centres of quantitative political science in the UK. Members of the Department conducted the 2007 Scottish Election Survey as well as the definitive study of the membership of the Scottish National Party. The Centre for Elections and Representation Studies was established in 2008 as a showcase for the Department’s expertise and attracts scholars from Europe and North America to its conferences. In 2009 the Department is hosting the annual conference of the Political Studies Association’s Elections and Public Opinion group.
Public Policy
The Department has a longstanding reputation for research in public policy. Its expertise includes all the main area of public policy, with a particular focus on the politics of crisis management, the conditions that contribute to policy success, policy learning and transfer, European Union policy, public policy in post-devolution Scotland, and environment and energy policy, and health policy.
Governance and Institutions
Members of the Department have international reputations in the study of parliaments in Scotland, the UK, and Europe. There is also a concentration of expertise in multi-level governance, with a particular focus on relations between Scotland and Europe. We have a distinctive profile in this area of the discipline, with a strong emphasis on institutionalist approaches to governance.
International Politics
In recent years the Department has developed strengths in international politics. We have particular expertise in international public policy, the role of NGOs in international relations, the politics of the anti-globalisation movement, constructivist theories of security and ‘securitisation’, and feminist perspectives on international relations.
Funding your research
The Department of Government has an excellent record of success in securing studentships for our applicants. Further information on funding opportunities for session 2009/2010 can be found on our Funding pages. A full list of studentship opportunities is available, but the main sources of funding are as follows;
ESRC 1+3 and +3 Studentships The Department selects candidates to enter into ESRC Open Competition.
University Studentships Open competition between candidates nominated by the Department for a pool of awards administered by the Faculty of Law Arts and Social Science.
Overseas Research Students Award Scheme (ORSAS) Open competition between candidates nominated by the Department for a pool of awards administered by the University.
Details of these awards varies from year to year; please enquire for current details. Application for nomination for competition is by submitting a one page research proposal along with a full curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two academic referees. We are always ready to discuss research proposals with applicants and to give advice on their scope and focus.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Department to discuss their proposed research prior to submitting an application.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Stephen Padgett, Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research)