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School of Government & Public Policy

Here in the School of Government & Public Policy, we combine internationally acclaimed academic research and applied policy research with excellence in teaching.

Our courses give our students the opportunity to develop their skills and critical capacities, and prepare them for a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors. 

Our academics are recognised for research involving international comparisons of political systems, public policies and citizens’ behaviour, as well as the study of international relations. 

We also engage with many external partners, including  government and non-government organisations, to make sure our research improves policymaking, and makes a difference to our society.

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Our research

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About us

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European Policies Research Centre

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Centre for Energy Policy

Having an impact

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Discover more about Government & Public Policy

Dr. Mark Shephard presents social media evidence to Committee on Standards in Public Life

In 2017, Mark Shephard submitted evidence from his social media research to: the House of Lords Political Polling and Digital Media Committee; the House of Lords Citizenship and Civic Engagement Committee; and the Committee on Standards in Public Life. In September 2017 he was invited to The Cabinet Office to contribute to a roundtable discussion by the Committee on Standards in Public Life on the subject of online intimidation. He has also been asked to deliver another Tedx talk on his social media research in Bergen, Norway, October 2017.

 


Professor Anthony McGann cited in US Supreme Court Gerrymandering Case

Professor Anthony McGann’s research has been cited in the US Supreme Court case Gill v. Whitford. Professor McGann’s book Gerrymandering in America (co-authored with Charles Anthony Smith, Michael Latner and Alex Keena) was cited in the appellees’ brief as evidence of partisan gerrymandering in the United States. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan referred to the book's findings in her concurring opinion. It was also used extensively in several other briefs, including that of Senators John McCain and Sheldon Whitehouse. Professor McGann commented: “In the United States, constituencies are not usually drawn by boundary commissions, but by politicians. This means they can draw the constituencies to make sure their party wins a majority of the seats. They have always taken advantage of this, but since the 2010 Census, they have pushed this to the limit. This is now being challenged in the US Supreme Court. We are glad our research can be of help."

Professor Robert Mattes joins Strathclyde in the summer of 2017

The School of Government and Public Policy is delighted to welcome Professor Robert Mattes to the University. Professor Mattes is a renowned scholar whose research has focused on the development of democratic attitudes and practices in South Africa and across the African continent. His is co-founder of and Senior Advisor to the Afrobarometer, a regular survey of public opinion across the continent. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Chamaign (1992). Before joining Strathclyde, Professor Mattes was a professor at the University of Cape Town, with which he continues to maintain strong links. Professor Mattes is currently a Visiting Research Scholar at the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) at Princeton University.

China University of Political Science summer school in Beijing

The School of Government and Public Policy is international in outlook. Our research, education and knowledge-exchange activities are global. We have high-value strategic relationships with partner organisations across the globe, such as the China University of Political Science and Law. As part of this relationship, Dr Keith Smith visited our partner organisation in July 2017 and gave an intensive two-week course on Global Governance and International Relations. The course introduced the students to the complexities of contemporary global governance, focusing on issues such as trade, the environment and security. The programme is part of our School’s drive to ensure a global approach for developing capacity for excellence in teaching, research and knowledge-exchange in order to enhance our international sphere of influence. Our collaboration with our partner organisation includes staff and graduate student exchanges and a joint masters programme.

PSA Annual International Conference 2017

The University of Strathclyde hosted a very successful Political Studies Association Annual Conference in 2017 at the Technology & Innovation Centre:

“The PSA’s 67th Annual Conference was ambitious in terms of attendance, scale, content, public engagement and impact and epitomised the energy and vision of the convenor, Dr. Mark Shephard, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Strathclyde” (Avnish Patel, PSA)” 

professor john curtice

Strathclyde academic made British Academy Fellow

Professor John Curtice, Strathclyde academic and renowned political commentator, has been named a Fellow of the British Academy in recognition of his outstanding research.