Research centres and institutes
The School of International Relations lends its expertise to ten active research centres and institutes at the University of St Andrews.
Centre for Art and Politics (CAP)
The Centre for Art and Politics (CAP) is an interdisciplinary research unit within the School of International Relations. The Centre aims to explore social and political expressions in its many forms - ranging from the plastic to the performative, the visual to the aural, and ephemeral to the monumental - as objects of study, vehicles of memory and identity, and as research outputs. While much of the focus will be on contemporary art, current conflicts, and immediate social issues, the Centre also invites historical explorations and analyses. To encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and transdisciplinary perspectives, the Centre invites participation from across many different areas in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and beyond.
Centre for Global Law and Governance (CGLG)
The Centre for Global Law and Governance (CGLG) is dedicated to exploring the development of, and challenges to, global order in its many manifestations. We are a community of staff, PhD Fellows, students, and external members with shared interests in the study and practice of governance encompassing both scholarly and policy concerns. The Centre serves as a focal point for discussions concerning the theoretical, empirical, and normative dimensions of international law, institutions, and governance within St Andrews and elsewhere. We adopt an explicitly pluralistic approach drawing on insights from politics, law, economics, history, philosophy, ethics, and beyond. We aim to promote broad thinking and cutting-edge scholarship through our regular talks and workshops, working paper series, and student internship.
Institute for the Study of War and Strategy (ISWS)
The Institute for the Study of War and Strategy was established in 2016 as an interdisciplinary research institute involving the Schools of International Relations and History and the Department of Philosophy. Its mission is to conduct and facilitate research and public debate on issues of war and strategy broadly conceived. The institute serves as an intellectual hub within the University of St Andrews bringing together permanent post-holders, early career researchers, PhD students, postgraduate taught students and practitioners whose expertise and interest is in the area of war and strategy.
Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS)
The Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) is an interdisciplinary research institute situated in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews. MECACS runs a regular seminar series, staff work-in-progress presentations, hosts conferences and workshops and produces a regular blog series. MECACS welcomes queries from prospective students, academics and practitioners, media and policymakers from or on the studied regions.
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS)
The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching in a collegial environment, analysing and investigating processes of conflict and conflict resolution in the construction of long term peace. CPCS develops academic knowledge of peace and conflict grounded in the experiences of people, places and history. The centre facilitates dialogue between individuals, groups or communities who are concerned with conditions of positive peace. Research is conducted across a range of geographic spaces that includes Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, China and Latin America. The centre analyses the complex issues facing the global milieu of peace and conflict using a variety of conflict resolution, social justice, and peace studies tools, processes and methods.
Centre for Global (Post)socialisms, Southeast, Central, and East European Studies
The Centre for Global (Post)socialisms, Southeastern, Central and East European Studies challenges traditional Area Studies paradigms by advocating for intersectional research that avoids exploitative practices. They emphasize the interconnectedness of global issues, recognizing that transformations in one region resonate across borders. The Centre fosters a collaborative environment, supporting early career researchers committed to exploring the complexities of global (post)socialisms.
Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP)
The study of religion and politics has dominated many of the contemporary research projects within divinity in which theology as a narrative has been an expression of such creative epistemological paradigm. Religion constitutes a practice while theology a narrative by human communities involved in their daily ritual practices that interact with larger social, economic and political contexts. The study of religion and politics within divinity presupposes religious practices to be understood through interpretive models and social epistemologies in constant interaction with political models of governance in society.
Centre for Syrian Studies (CSS)
The Centre for Syrian Studies (CSS) aims to foster scholarship and dialogue about Syria and exchanges between Syrian and British scholars and others. It undertakes research on contemporary Syria, contributes to the training of Syrian scholars, and seeks to compile and disseminate information on Syria through many viewpoints.
Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV)
The Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) is dedicated to the study of the causes, dynamics, characteristics and consequences of terrorism and related forms of political violence. In doing so, it is committed to rigorous, evidence-based, scholarly analysis that is policy-relevant but independent. Founded in 1994, the centre is Europe’s oldest for the study of terrorism.
The Third Generation Project
The Third Generation Project is an international think tank based in Scotland providing research and advocacy in the areas of human rights and climate justice. With a fundamental belief that policy, practice and academia need to find a different path, the project advocates for a people-centred, community-informed approach to the challenges that face all of us.