Political science and international relations

Our Department of Political Science has a strong research portfolio clustered around several areas of expertise, including conflict and conflict mediation, security and defence studies, and humanitarian intervention and peace studies.

The International research group for Sustainable Citizenship and Civic imagination: Hei Puāwaitanga is a multidisciplinary research team and 'civics-lab' at UC. Set against a background of increasingly urban environments worldwide, the team investigates citizenship and civic governance, participation and democratic urbanization, with a particular focus on sustainability and inclusion especially for children and youth.

Citizenship, consumption and civic aspirations across five key energy domains - housing, transport, food, education and employment, leisure and communication - are the focus of our research in sustainable lifestyles and civic environments. 

The Small States and the New Security Environment (SSANSE) project is a preparedness initiative examining the defence and foreign policy choices and challenges of small states in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Oceania. 

Research strengths

Sustainable lifestyles and civic environments

Areas of current research in sustainable lifestyles and civic environments include:

• Citizenship, consumption and civic aspirations across five key energy domains: housing, transport, food, education & employment, leisure & communication
• Citizenship education, civic leadership & political literacy
• New methods of public engagement in urban challenges

Research centres and groups

• Hei Puāwaitanga: Sustainablility Citizenship and Civic Imagination Research Group
• RESOLVE – the ESRC Research group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment
• Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group (SLRG)

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Conflict mediation and peace-building

Areas of current research in conflict mediation and peace-building include:

• Dissolving colours? Reconciliation in Thailand
• Analysis of the negotiations between the Government of Myanmar and the Kachin Independence Organisation

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Future studies

The Futures Studies Research Network (FSRN) applies scenario development and others foresight tools to consider New Zealand’s economic, political and technological future.

Research centres and groups

• Futures Studies Research Network (FSRN) in the School of Political Science and International Relations

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Defence and foreign policy

The SSANSE project is a preparedness initiative examining the defence and foreign policy choices and challenges of small states in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Oceania in the new security environment

Research centres and groups

• Small States and the New Security Environment (SSANSE)

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are: