Impact is a core part of our research in politics and international relations at Reading, with academic staff regularly advising and working with senior officials in international organisations, national governments, political parties, and non-governmental organisations.
From our research on the use of counter-narratives to challenge hate speech online to how to counter proxy actors in current conflicts to the use of AI in polling and surveys, the department ensures that its cutting-edge research in political theory, international relations, and comparative politics reaches those who need it most.
Our researchers work regularly with NATO and its centres of excellence (including European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid COE); Centre of Excellence – Defence Against Terrorism; NATO Southern Hub), numerous UN agencies and missions (such as the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Department of Peace Operations; Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate; Office for High Commissioner for Human Rights), and national governments (including the UK, US, Germany, Sweden, Kenya).
Beyond institutional links, we work with local civil society organisations around the world &- from Guatemala to Somalia. Our research centres – Reading Ethics and Political Philosophy (REAPP), the Centre for Global Security and Governance, and the Centre for Political Behaviour and Policy Analysis – work to bring together our academics with policymakers and practitioners in a variety of formats to exchange knowledge and produce policy-relevant research that is both innovative and actionable.
Professor Harmonie Toros discusses how she uses her research on the role of civilians in conflicts marked by terrorist violence to support the work on local peacebuilders, particularly women, in Kenya and Somalia.
We have informal collaborations with relevant stakeholders that enable us to organise joint workshops, produce policy papers and provide consultation.
We share our research widely through media engagement. It is covered in major media outlets and social media platforms on a global scale.
Our academics are experts in their field and are regularly featured in the media, sharing their work, offering their expertise and giving opinions on current issues and affairs.
Examples of media exposure include:
We work within a number of research centres. We collaborate on projects with academics from a range of disciplines across the University, as well as international organisations such as the UN.
Our staff have exceptional knowledge in an impressive range of sociological and political topics and issues. Many of our academics are directly involved in influencing policy and international politics, sharing their expertise with governments and policymakers.
Our academics make headlines with their research and their input on current affairs. Keep up with the latest news from our Department.