Sovereignty and its Discontents (SAID) is a DPhil-run, historically motivated workshop that critically analyses multiple conceptions of sovereignty, authority, and power in International Relations and Politics. We welcome students and faculty from all departments and centres to join and critically learn together!

The Quill Project, a digital humanities initiative that studies the history behind how legal texts are negotiated, is celebrating 10 years of innovation, collaboration, and creating digital tools that make the story of constitutional texts clearer and more accessible to all.

Join us as Dr Nicholas Cole, director of the Quill Project, reflects on the project’s evolution the past decade, highlighting some of the key insights provided by its unique methodological approach, and setting out its future ambitions.

Join us for a special anniversary exhibition showcasing the work of the Quill Project — a digital initiative making the history of
constitutional texts clearer and more accessible to all.

What's happening:
• Tea and cupcakes at 3pm.
• Explore our digital projects on the constitutional histories of the US, India, Australia and Northern Ireland.
• Try your hand at deciphering 19th-century handwriting.
• Listen to a special lecture by Dr Nicholas Cole at 5pm, to be followed by a drinks reception.
• Discover internship opportunities with the Quill Project.

OxMEND Society is honoured to host Dr Rula Hardal, Co-Executive Director of A Land for All, to share her vision and work toward peace in the region.

🗓️ Tuesday, 21 October
🕢 19:30 (refreshments from 19:15)
📍New College, Oxford (exact location will be sent to registered participants)

Register here:
https://forms.gle/AjhBeRqzVmnWjb949

All are welcome!

🌀

The Oxford Conservative Thought (OCT) Reading Group is a non-partisan group devoted to academic exploration of small-c conservative political thought. We welcome, and actively encourage, viewpoint diversity and constructive engagement across ideological divides (all good-willed participants are welcome!)

Each week we read one assigned text, and we recommend more for anyone who is very keen!

Week 2 focuses on conservative critiques of liberalism, with a reading from Patrick Deneen

Find our reading list here:

--> https://bit.ly/OCTMT25

Drawing on Amitav Acharya’s new book, which argues that world order is not the monopoly of any civilization or nation, the panel will discuss three key questions: Firstly, has world order been a shared creation, as the book argues? Secondly, will the end of Western dominance be a “good or bad thing,” ? And finally, what might be the shape of the “next” world order -- a return to multipolarity or bipolarity, a revival of US hegemony, a world order of regions, or a “multiplex” world?

Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative technology with profound implications for global security, strategic competition, and international order. This panel brings together experts in quantum science, strategy, and international relations to examine the meaning of quantum supremacy beyond its technical definition. We will explore how quantum intersects with classical IR theory—shaping deterrence, balance-of-power dynamics, alliance cohesion, and technological governance.