"university of liverpool" blog posts

Semester 1 Summaries: Zach BishopLiverpool docks banner image

Semester 1 Summaries: Zach Bishop

Following a first year of disruptions and lockdowns, it has been wonderful to finally be back on campus this semester and experiencing the best of what the city of Liverpool and the university has to offer.

Posted on: 10 December 2021

Our Favourite Places to Visit Outside of the CityPhotograph of Crosby Beach

Our Favourite Places to Visit Outside of the City

Sometimes you just want to take a break from city life, escape for a few hours. We know the feeling! We've put together a few suggestions of where you could go, including some stops along the way. So get your comfy trainers ready because you're about to go on an adventure.

Posted on: 8 August 2021

Opinion: Why the government's race report is deeply flawedCrumpled paper with the word 'racism' printed on it

Opinion: Why the government's race report is deeply flawed

Dr Leona Vaughn, Derby Fellow in the politics department, gives her view on the government's recent report into race and racism in the UK.

Posted on: 21 April 2021

New perspectives on Corbyn and CorbynismJeremy Corbyn speaking at a rally

New perspectives on Corbyn and Corbynism

Alan Bennett uses the character Irwin in The History Boys to argue that “our perspective on the past alters. Looking back, immediately in front of us is dead ground. We don't see it, and because we don't see it this means that there is no period so remote as the recent past. And one of the historian's jobs is to anticipate what our perspective of that period will be.”

Posted on: 11 February 2021

COVID-19, nationalism, and students: how we are impacted and why you should careA Union Jack flag draped over a bench

COVID-19, nationalism, and students: how we are impacted and why you should care

First year Politics student Charlotte Marshall gives her view on the emergence of COVID nationalism, and how government restrictions have impacted her student peers.

Posted on: 8 January 2021

2020: My year in review as a Politics studentCovid-19 signs - Notting Hill Gate underground station

2020: My year in review as a Politics student

Third year International Politics student Ash Mears talks about how 2020 has changed her perspective on why her degree is important and how she wants to help in developing a more equal world in her career.

Posted on: 9 December 2020

How Covid-19 has highlighted the value of citizenshipCroatia border with sign telling people to prepare their passports

How Covid-19 has highlighted the value of citizenship

Mate Subašić is a PhD student at the University of Liverpool. His research is focused on nationalism, identity politics and trans-border groups in South East Europe. Within this blog post he discusses how Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of citizenship within Europe.

Posted on: 10 November 2020

Sweet Home Alabama to Washington DC - an election Spotify playlistMap of the United States

Sweet Home Alabama to Washington DC - an election Spotify playlist

Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg, Senior Lecturer in Politics, provides your soundtrack to the US election with a playlist of songs to represent each state.

Posted on: 28 October 2020

The Electoral College: A flawed system? - How America elects its leadersTwo graphs showing voting histories

The Electoral College: A flawed system? - How America elects its leaders

With the US presidential election just around the corner, politics student, Jack McNulty, looks at how America elects its leaders and explains the key battleground states.

Posted on: 28 October 2020

Why is the appointment of the next US supreme court judge so important?Amy Coney-Barrett

Why is the appointment of the next US supreme court judge so important?

The debate continues about Amy Coney Barrett, who has been selected by President Trump as the nominated replacement for the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg, for the role of supreme court judge. We asked politics lecturer, Dr Sean Haughey, to give an explainer as to why the role is such a pivotal appointment in the US and how this relates to the upcoming presidential election.

Posted on: 15 October 2020

Welcome to Liverpool! 5 tips for Politics students new to University of LiverpoolStudent with phone

Welcome to Liverpool! 5 tips for Politics students new to University of Liverpool

Welcome Week runs from 28 September – 2 October 2020 and is set to be a little different this year, however there are still tons of events and tools that you can use to interact with the Department of Politics and get to know the University of Liverpool as a new student. Here are 5 tips for Politics students during Welcome Week to help you get settled in and enjoying university life from week one:

Posted on: 26 September 2020

‘Building Back Better’ from COVID-19 Requires Black Lives to MatterWoman with banner at Black Lives Matter protest

‘Building Back Better’ from COVID-19 Requires Black Lives to Matter

Dr Leona Vaughn is a Derby Research Fellow in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and co-author of the recent report 'Racial Inequalities and COVID-19: Building Back Better For All'.

Posted on: 10 September 2020

Why writer and activist, Audre Lorde, is still a vibrant and important voice today.Black and white portrait image of a woman

Why writer and activist, Audre Lorde, is still a vibrant and important voice today.

Audre Lorde was a writer, poet, feminist and activist. Her writing is known for its calls for social and racial justice and the collection 'The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House' contains \"...urgent essays on the power of women, poetry and anger\" (Penguin Books). Lorde dedicated her life and creativity to challenging racism, sexism, classism and homophobia. She supported civil rights and Black cultural movements, as well as advocating for LGBT equality.

Posted on: 4 September 2020

In Memoriam Professor Fred Ridley OBEA black and white image of Professor Fred Ridley OBE

In Memoriam Professor Fred Ridley OBE

We are sad to report that Professor Fred Ridley OBE died on 17 April 2020. Having studied at the LSE, Paris and Berlin, Fred joined the new Department of Political Theory and Institutions at the University of Liverpool in 1958, a year after it had been established. He remained on the staff until 1995 (and was an honorary fellow from 1995-2005), serving for a remarkable 30 year period as Head of Department. Fred played a central role in the development of political studies in the UK, held numerous appointments in HE nationally and made an immense civic contribution which included a stint as Chair of the Merseyside Manpower Services Commission. He will be very fondly remembered by a lot of people. Our condolences are offered to Fred’s family and friends.

Posted on: 27 April 2020

Best Political Podcasts You Should Listen to Right Now!Girl on a road wearing headphones

Best Political Podcasts You Should Listen to Right Now!

Round up, round up it’s time for our list of the best political podcasts to get you started on a journey of political awakening. Let’s be honest you already are but its never a bad thing to be exposed to and understand a variety of different views and opinions. Our list below is a rough guide, there are so any podcasts out there, you just need to find the ones that suit you. So take the first step, or listen, and see what you could learn today.

Posted on: 1 April 2020

Depression, status quo bias and the Brexit referendumAn image of the European Union flag with one star missing

Depression, status quo bias and the Brexit referendum

Dr Luca Bernardi (Lecturer in Politics at the University of Liverpool) and Professor Robert Johns (University of Essex) examine the impact of depression on the public's voting decisions, with a particular focus on the 2016 EU Referendum.

Posted on: 17 February 2020

Our top revision tips for exam season Student reading book in library.

Our top revision tips for exam season

It’s that time of year again. But you’ve got this. Deep breath.

Posted on: 6 January 2020

Looking back on the 2019 General Election results night The front door of 10 Downing Street

Looking back on the 2019 General Election results night

We look back on the story of the 2019 General Election results night as told by our staff and students.

Posted on: 19 December 2019

Day 1214 of the Brexit process – where do we stand today?The Palace of Westminster

Day 1214 of the Brexit process – where do we stand today?

Following what was billed as 'Super Saturday', Dr Andrew Roe-Crines summarises another dramatic day in Parliament and lays out the current situation in the Brexit process.

Posted on: 21 October 2019

Five things to do during Welcome WeekLiverpool skyline - photo by Charles Pragnell from Pexels

Five things to do during Welcome Week

Welcome Week kicks off on Monday, giving new students the opportunity to get to know their new flatmates, explore Liverpool and settle in before they start lectures. Take a look at our top five tips to help you get started with university life.

Posted on: 13 September 2019

"A dramatic shift in constitutional assumptions, political conventions, and the traditional support bases of political parties"The Palace of Westminster at dusk

"A dramatic shift in constitutional assumptions, political conventions, and the traditional support bases of political parties"

Dr Andrew Crines, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Liverpool, summarises a tumultuous few days in British politics and suggests how the situation may unfold in the coming weeks and months.

Posted on: 5 September 2019

Department of Politics Graduation 2019 — Social media roundup

Department of Politics Graduation 2019 — Social media roundup

Last week we said goodbye to our Class of 2019 at the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures graduation ceremony as they begin the next step of their journey as University of Liverpool graduates. Check out our roundup of social media messages from the day.

Posted on: 22 July 2019

What's it like to intern in public affairs?Two men walking across road in suits

What's it like to intern in public affairs?

Politics graduate James Maxwell is back to share his experience as a Junior Researcher intern with the RPP Group.

Posted on: 11 July 2019

"Images are powerful" - new exhibition of all 209 female MPsPriti Patel portrait

"Images are powerful" - new exhibition of all 209 female MPs

Open Eye Gallery's '209 Women' exhibition features new portraits of all women MPs, shot by women photographers. The new exhibition opened in Liverpool on 28 February 2019 and aims to amplify the call for gender equality across all spheres of society. At the launch event, MP Alison McGovern said: \"These images are not only beautiful, they are a political act.\"

Posted on: 8 March 2019

BISA South East Europe Working Group Annual WorkshopBISA conference

BISA South East Europe Working Group Annual Workshop

The Europe and the World Centre (EWC) was delighted to host the British International Studies Association South East Europe Working Group Annual Workshop at the University of Liverpool in November 2018. The workshop's focus was on External Influences in South East Europe, as PhD student Mate Subasic explains.

Posted on: 10 January 2019

Why I no longer view Western political thought as a 'canon'Audre Lorde illustration

Why I no longer view Western political thought as a 'canon'

When I started at university in the UK, political theory meant studying a very particular canon, taught by a very particular type of scholar. In recent years, calls for the need to change how we think about and teach international relations and politics have started to gain traction. It is about time.

Posted on: 5 December 2018

What are the US midterm elections - and why do they matter?The Capitol Building in Washington DC

What are the US midterm elections - and why do they matter?

Politics student, Tom Laing, gives his take on the fall-out from the 2018 midterm elections and the effect the results will have on the Trump Presidency. What does the future hold?

Posted on: 9 November 2018

What’s it like to be an intern for a member of parliament?Politics student James Maxwell

What’s it like to be an intern for a member of parliament?

Visiting Number 10 Downing Street, supporting an MP at a demonstration and drinking with friends in a beautiful palace!

Posted on: 19 July 2018

Political art - what to see at Liverpool Biennial 2018 Someone holding the Biennial Guide with an exposed brick background

Political art - what to see at Liverpool Biennial 2018

More than 40 artists from 22 countries will participate in this year’s Liverpool Biennial which invites artists and audiences to reflect on \"...a world in social, political and economic turmoil\". It's the largest festival of contemporary art in the UK and this year's theme is 'Beautiful world, where are you?'.

Posted on: 10 July 2018

Four things to see and do in Liverpool if you're passionate about politicsThe exterior of St George's Hall in Liverpool

Four things to see and do in Liverpool if you're passionate about politics

With Summer now upon us, you might be looking for things to do in Merseyside before the start of the new term (trust us, this will come around very quickly!). While teaching may be over until September, there’s still plenty of things to see and do in the area if you’re passionate about politics, from grand buildings to cool museums:

Posted on: 11 June 2018

Opinion - Airstrikes on Syria: our experts answer key questions about the military actionMap showing military action in Syria

Opinion - Airstrikes on Syria: our experts answer key questions about the military action

In the early hours of 14 April 2018, the militaries of the United States, France, and the United Kingdom launched airstrikes against regime targets in Syria. This came as retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians in the opposition-controlled enclave of Douma a week earlier.

Posted on: 3 May 2018

Opinion - Does Russia risk major conflict by fighting wars with private armed forces? Toy soldiers on a map

Opinion - Does Russia risk major conflict by fighting wars with private armed forces?

Does Russia risk major conflict by fighting wars with private armed forces? Ulrich Petersohn explores the murky world of Russian mercenaries and the risks this brings.

Posted on: 19 April 2018

Jon Tonge's guide to the 2018 north west electionsMan being interviewed on TV

Jon Tonge's guide to the 2018 north west elections

With local elections for the North West coming up in May, politics expert Jon Tonge gives us his guide to the state of play for this year’s council elections, in comparison to 2014:

Posted on: 26 March 2018

Brexit rhetoric: How to convince a sceptical publicBoris Johnson

Brexit rhetoric: How to convince a sceptical public

As the government sets out its Brexit vision in a series of speeches by senior ministers, Dr Andrew Crines looks at the rhetorical strategies that could convince a sceptical nation.

Posted on: 1 March 2018

Opinion - Kosovo today: has independence fulfilled the population’s hopes and dreams?Flags from different countries flying in a city

Opinion - Kosovo today: has independence fulfilled the population’s hopes and dreams?

Last weekend, Kosovo-Albanians celebrated the 10th anniversary of their new state’s declaration of independence. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia unilaterally on 17th February 2008, following a decade of practical apartheid in Kosovo from 1989 – 1999 separating Kosovo-Albanians and Kosovo-Serbs, as well as large-scale dismissal of Albanian workers and ethnic cleansing against Kosovo-Albanian civilians.

Posted on: 19 February 2018

Politics Go! Join in our campus treasure huntExterior of Guild of Students, University of Liverpool

Politics Go! Join in our campus treasure hunt

You're a Politics student. You've landed in Liverpool, found your accommodation and are thinking about heading out to explore. Well don't go it alone! Join in with our #PoliticsGo campus treasure hunt on Friday 23 September 2016 and be in with the chance of winning some great prizes.

Posted on: 20 September 2016

A handy guide to our 2016 Open DaysUniversity of Liverpool -  Your open day journey

A handy guide to our 2016 Open Days

An open day is a great opportunity to meet with your future lecturers and current students, who can give you a unique insight into your course, the University and Liverpool itself. So here's our handy guide to some of the highlights of our open days - join us on on Saturday 24 September and Saturday 8 October 2016.

Posted on: 16 September 2016