Applying for Postdoctoral Roles in Political Science, Political Theory, and International Relations: Recent Experiences from Early-Career Researchers

There are several kinds of postdoctoral positions which are available to early-career applicants that provide a range of further research and teaching experience. In this event, several current postdoctoral researchers at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) share their experiences of applying for these kinds of roles, as well as reflect on how they navigated the postdoctoral landscape.

Chemins de Memoire

Navigating world orders over five millennia: does the past offer clues to the future?

Building world order is not the monopoly of any civilisation, region or nation.

Some of the foundational principles and institutions of world order that we have today were developed – both independently and through mutual contact – by multiple societies, in similar if not same forms at different stages of history. These include anarchic and hierarchic inter-state systems, republicanism, freedom of seas, open trade, human rights, nationalism, humanitarian law, Great Power cooperation, and realpolitik and moral statecraft.

Where next for the Anglo-American 'Special Relationship'?

Since 1942, the UK-US relationship has been founded on intelligence-sharing, a military alliance, shared values, and the United States’ commitment to maintain European security. As the postwar order comes under increasing strain, we welcome to the RAI the US Embassy London’s Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew Palmer, a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service. He will offer his reflections about the current state of the Special Relationship between the US and UK, foreign policy challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Decentering Gangs: Comparative Ethnographic Insights from Nicaragua and South Africa

The political ethnography reading and seminar group welcomes Dennis Rodgers, Research Professor at the Graduate Institute of Geneva, for a presentation of the first results of the ERC GANGS project on "Gangs, Gangsters and Ganglands". The presentation will focus on longitudinal and comparative ethnographies of gangs in Cape Town and Managua with Steffen Bo Jensen (Aalborg university).

"Decentering Gangs: Comparative Ethnographic Insights from Nicaragua and South Africa"

Sebastián Raphael Priego

I am a DPhil candidate in Politics at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR). My research lies at the intersection of comparative civil–military relations and state capacity, focusing on the determinants and consequences of civilian decisions to militarise domestic policymaking across public security, social policy, and civil–military megaprojects.

Daniel White

I am a DPhil student in Political Theory at Balliol College, University of Oxford. Prior to undertaking my DPhil, I completed an MA in Political and Legal Theory, and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Law at the University of Warwick.

My doctoral thesis – generously funded by the DPIR – explores the ethical dimensions of the animal rights movement, with a particular focus on how individuals ought to meet their moral and political obligations towards animals under present, non-ideal conditions.

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