Research in the School of International Studies

The School of International Studies takes research as its core foundation. We strive to engage in innovative, cutting edge, demonstrable and informative research utilizing both traditional research approaches and new technologies to interrogate many social, political, economic and historical phenomena that is the focus of our multidisciplinary team of academics. The School’s academics are from a diverse cultural and intellectual background working and researching in International Relations, Political Science, European, Asian, International, Imperial and Global History, Comparative History and Politics, Human Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, and Religious Studies capturing all the core regions of the world. It is this multidisciplinary foundation that makes the School of International Studies a unique place to work and study.

China’s place in the world has been transformational and continues to do so and with such momentum inevitably influences the world in a variety of ways. The School therefore considers its location in China as a critical comparative and unique advantage to pursue collaborative research projects within the university, across the University of Nottingham campus family, local universities and research outfits in the country, region and further afield. The expectation is not only to be the bridgehead to researching China from within among other places but also equally to build a base of knowledge on China and the region that contributes to constructive academic dialogues.

Centre for Advanced International Studies (CAIS)

Academics in the school have developed a formidable international research reputation and expertise in their diverse fields, routinely being sought and providing expertise to think tanks, governments and the world media. Specific areas of strength are Global International Relations, Global, Imperial and Transnational Histories, Eurasian Connectivities and Interactions, Conflict and Security Analysis, Global and International Political Economy, Studies on the History and Politics of the Near and Middle East, Sub Saharan Africa, the Atlantic, Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions, and Imperialism, Empires and Decolonisation to mention but a few. The school takes its dissemination of research as seriously as its teaching and as such most of the academics are not only published authors of books and research articles but also actively engage in regular research dissemination activities both within domestic and international forums.

The Global Institute for Silk Roads Studies

The Global Institute for Silk Roads Studies is the premier hub for the interdisciplinary study and research on China–Afro-Eurasian relations. Located at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), the Institute integrates meaningful research on the cultural, historical, political, social, technological, and economic connectivity across the Afro-Eurasian maritime, littoral, and continental spaces. The Institute provides space for creative synergies between the global campuses of the University of Nottingham – in the UK, China, and Malaysia, as well as our partners and collaborators in China and across the world.

Visiting Scholars

The School champions the University of Nottingham creed of research excellence and as such has an established enabling environment that provides its academics wide ranging support to facilitate the achievement of the highest standards of research output and research led pedagogy. To promote intellectual exchange, the School routinely hosts distinguished leading academics and practitioners in various fields to share their research and knowledge with both staff and students enriching the culture of intellectual engagement.

State University of New York SUNY – CAIS Book Series

The School and the Centre for Advanced International Studies (CAIS) has its own book series with the State University of New York Press. The SUNY-CAIS series in “Global Connections” will host contributions on the nature of global change in past and present. In locating the transformative nature of connections in the global and tying these globalisms back to the local, the book series caters for an increasing interest in the change across long distances. As a cornerstone to cutting-edge research and research-driven teaching, the SUNY – CAIS book series sits at the intersection of innovative research, knowledge exchange, and active outreach of the school and its researchers.