ASPIRE Network Launch

Welcome to Season Four of Politics and Pedagogy 'Championing Education Communities', where we will be speaking to game changers in the field of higher education about the importance of communities for political studies.This week we are joined by Co-Directors of Pedagogical Research Centres from three Politics and International Studies departments across the UK:Prof. Simon Lightfoot from the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship at POLIS, University of LeedsDr John Wilesmith from the UCL Centre for the Pedagogy of Politics.Dr Michael Toomey of the University of Glasgow School of Social and Political Sciences Innovative Pedagogy HubWe chat about the importance of PedR and Scholarship communities in HE and how we can work together to support colleagues within, across and beyond our institutions. Follow [email protected] @mlebourdon.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social

Welcome to Season Four of Politics and Pedagogy 'Championing Education Communities', where we will be speaking to game changers in the field of higher education about the importance of communities for political studies.For our second episode we are joined by the founders and board of the newly established 'Journal of Global Higher Education', Sylvie Lomer, Charles Mathies, Jenna Mittelmeier and Melissa Whatley. With close ties to the Research with International Students Network (RIS), and the Critical Internationalization Studies Network (CISN), the journal is a scholarly collective which aims to purposely disrupt traditional, hierarchical models of journal publication and management. This conversation was a powerful reminder that we can all disrupt the oppressive systems we witness.The Journal of Global Higher Education would like to thank: Thomas Brotherhood, Santiago Castiello-Gutiérrez, Justin Dalton, Sophia Deterala, Chris R. Glass, Chrystal George Mwangi, Adam Grimm, Kay Helm, Tang Tang Heng, Rita Hordósy, Minghui (Hannah) Hou, Zhuo Min Huang, Michael Lanford, Samantha Marangell, Amy Scott Metcalfe, Györgyi Mihalyi, Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Mary Oberlies, Rosalind Raby, Jérôme Rickmann, Johan Rooryck, Sarah Schiffeker, Ly Thi Tran, Kalyani Unkule, Hans de Wit, HyeJin (Tina) Yeo, and Yun Yue.Follow [email protected] @mlebourdon.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social

Welcome to Season Four of Politics and Pedagogy 'Championing Education Communities', where we will be speaking to game changers in the field of higher education about the importance of communities for political studies. In this first episode we are joined by Professor Rose Gann and Dr Emma Foster. Rose Gann is Professor of Politics Education at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), the Chair of Political Studies Association and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Emma Foster is Associate Professor of International Politics and Gender at the University of Birmingham and Trustee of the Political Studies Association.

BONUS EPISODE: In this bonus episode on student voice we speak to Sean Wong and Chloe Simpson, second year International Relations Students (BA) Hons at the University of Leeds, about their exhibit Memory, Resistance and Survival: Legacies of the Latin American Imaginary.You can also read Chloe's brilliant blog here. Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) at the University of Leeds presents “Politics and Pedagogy” , The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in Political Pedagogy and Dr Louise Pears Associate Professor in Global Security Challenges.Follow [email protected] @mlebourdon.bsky.social

Episode: Welcome to a very special episode of Politics and Pedagogy where we are launching the The Academic Scholarship in Politics and International Relations Education Network or ASPIRE Network. ASPIRE is dedicated to supporting academics on the teaching intensive career path within Politics and International Relations. The networks core aim is to empower members to navigate their careers more effectively, while also fostering the development of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.Sign up for our in person launch: Monday 9th June at Kings College LondonSign up for our online launching and meeting: Tuesday 9th SeptemberIf you need funding to attend the launch event email us: [email protected]: @aspirenetwork.bsky.socialGuests: Dr Jeremy Moulton, Senior Lecturer at the University of York. Dr Jillian Terry, Associate Professor at London School of Economics. Dr M., Sudhir Selvaraj, University of Bradford. Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer at Kings College London,Show Notes:Elliot, C. et al (2025) The joy of the teaching track: Learning and Teaching in Politics and International Studies, PoliticsActive Learning in Politics BlogFollow [email protected] @mlebourdon.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social

Season 3: Season 3 all centered on Students Voice. This season we will hear from students studying or graduating from Politics and International Studies programmes.Episode 3: In this episode we welcome Dr Anna Grimaldi, a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Leeds, alongside POLIS graduates Elisa Martinez Relano and Caroline Tonglet. In this episode they share their experience of participating in 'Thinking inside the box', a student-led exhibition project co-founded by Anna. The episode highlights the power in student-led pedagogy, providing depth, agency and connection.Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) are delighted to launch the first series of “Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development and Dr Louise Pears Lecturer in Global Security Challenges.Follow [email protected] @mlebourdon.bsky.socialTwitter- @CTISLeeds @LouiseKPears

Season 3: We are back for Season 3 which is all centered on Students Voice. This season we will hear from students studying or graduating from Politics and International Studies programmes.Episode 2: In this episode we welcome Dr Gary Hernandez, Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes, and Hafizh Armaghani, who is studying a MA in International Relations, both at the University of Leeds. The conversation reflects on the intersection of language and disciplinary knowledge, inclusive teaching for international students, and how to create belonging beyond the classroom.Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) are delighted to launch the first series of “Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development and Dr Louise Pears Lecturer in Global Security Challenges.Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

Season 3: We are back for Season 3 which is all centered on Students Voice. This season we will hear from students studying or graduating from Politics and International Studies programmes.Episode 1: Our first episode is the most powerful conversation we have had on 'Politics and Pedagogy'- we hear from students who entered their degrees through the Social Science Foundation Year programme at the University of Leeds. Ato Ampiah- Haagh, Dieudone Bila and Gemma Carlier are interviewed by Dr Mette Wiggen, an outreach officer for the Social Science Cluster, Mette is a lecturer in the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. She holds a PhD from the University of Leeds and researches and publishes on racism, welfare chauvinism and mainstreaming of the far-right. She has contributed to several books and published in CARR, Open Democracy, Fair Observer, The Conversation, and Institute for Public Policy Research – Radical Review. Thank you to the wonderful students and graduates for sharing their experiences and Mette for such wonderful questions.Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) are delighted to launch the first series of “Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development and Dr Louise Pears Lecturer in Global Security Challenges.Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

In Season 2 we are exploring ideas of Criticality, Creativity and Care.In this episode we are joined by Dr Laura Loyola Hernández, Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Leeds and Dr Roxani Krystalli Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Feminist Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of St Andrews. In this conversation we talk about the importance of care both for our students and ourselves, as well as the need to seek and honour joy through learning.Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) are delighted to launch the first series of “Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development and Dr Louise Pears Lecturer in Global Security Challenges. It is produced by Dr Harrison Swinhoe.Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

Welcome back to Season 2! This season we will explore ideas of Criticality, Creativity and Care.Episode: In this episode we are joined by Dr Maha Rafi Atal Lecturer in Political Economy at the University of Glasgow, Dr Rhys Crilley Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Glasgow, and Prof. Jack Holland Professor of Global Security Challenges at the University of Leeds. In this episode we talk all things creative- from walking tours to performance art to comedy. Maha, Rhys and Jack provide inspiration for innovative pedagogical practices that can shape affective learning experience.Podcast: The Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS) are delighted to launch the first series of “Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. The podcast hosts are Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development and Dr Louise Pears Lecturer in Global Security Challenges. It is produced by Dr Harrison Swinhoe.Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears