Isabella O'Brien

Isabella is a second-year MPhil Comparative Government student at Kellogg College. Her research interests include electoral systems and political parties, specifically in Western Europe, New Zealand and Canada. Her MPhil thesis explores how green party politicians get elected under first-past-the-post electoral systems.

Roundtable: 'Liberalism, Conservatism, and Reception History'

This panel brings together three leading scholars working in the field of 'reception history', generously conceived: Dr Claire Rydell Arcenas (University of Montana), Dr Glory Liu (Johns Hopkins), and Dr Emily Jones (University of Manchester). Following short papers reflecting on how writing the 'reception histories' of John Locke, Adam Smith, and Edmund Burke have informed how each panelist thinks about (writing) the histories of liberalism and conservatism more broadly, the session will open out to a broader roundtable discussion.

Steiner in Zion: The Reception of Anthroposophy in Israel

Anthroposophy, the alternative spiritual movement founded in 1913 by Austrian Esotericist Rudolf Steiner, has become a significant presence in contemporary Israeli society. Two branches of the Anthroposophical society operate in Israel, along with an Anthroposophical Kibbutz in the upper Galilee. Waldorf education, based on Steiner’s pedagogical principles, is highly popular, with hundreds of Waldorf kindergartens, schools and training centers across the country. Additionally, several Anthroposophical remedial homes and villages support people with special needs.

Love, Pride, Fear, and Happiness: Zionism as a Case Study for 'National Emotions'

What emotional traits are essential for building a nation? More broadly, are there such things as 'national emotions,' and if so, what are they? In this lecture, I will explore these questions by analysing the Zionist case through the lens of the history of emotions. I will examine emotions where the national dimension is evident, such as honour and love of the homeland, alongside emotions that may seem less directly national, like fear and happiness.

Campion Lecture, Hilary Term 2025: ‘Stability, Security and Solidarity Stretched Thin: Reflections on “Social Cohesion” in Lebanon’

Campion Hall, University of Oxford has the privilege of welcoming Dr Cory Rodgers to deliver the Campion Lecture, ‘Stability, Security and Solidarity Stretched Thin: Reflections on “Social Cohesion” in Lebanon’ on Tuesday 4th March at 5.15pm, GMT. The lecture will be held at Campion Hall and will also be live streamed. This lecture offers attendees the opportunity to hear Dr Cory Rodgers consider what the recent conflict has revealed about the state of “cohesion” in Lebanon.
Subscribe to

QS WORLD RANKINGS FOR POLITICS & INT’L STUDIES: 2

BEST UK UNIVERSITIES FOR POLITICS – THE GUARDIAN: 1

THE WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS FOR POLITICS AND INT’L STUDIES: 1 IN THE UK