IR Research Colloquium

The Colloquium provides a forum where doctoral students, post-docs, visitors and faculty can present their work; where we can discuss shared theoretical and analytical issues; and where people with diverse theoretical approaches and commitments within IR can come together. It also provides doctoral students with the opportunity to discuss shared theoretical and analytical issues within the broader Oxford IR community. The presented papers form the basis both for discussing how advanced research may best be carried out and for talking about more practical issues -such as how to turn a thesis into a journal article, how to think about publication, and how to organize conference panels.

The format is as follows: a pre-circulated paper sent to participants on the Monday before the Thursday talk; a 20-30-minute presentation by the author speaking to the main arguments of the paper and/or the broader research project of which it forms a part; and finally an open Q&A.

The Colloquium is open to all graduate students in Politics and International Relations. Papers will mostly relate to academic International Relations but the Colloquium seeks to draw in those working on the borders of Politics and International Relations and to encourage a pluralist approach in terms of methods and forms of analysis, including from within closely related disciplines and subject areas.
Type: Seminar Series
Series organisers: Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford), Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford)
Timing: Thursdays during Term Time
Organising department: Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR)

Talks:

Thursday 12 February 2026

Political Polarization and Responses to Status Threats in Great Power Politics
Date: 12 February 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
Speaker : Rohan Mukherjee (LSE)
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room A
Organisers: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)

Thursday 19 February 2026

The Rise of the Cultural Treaty
Date: 19 February 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
Speaker : Benjamin Martin (University of Uppsala)
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room A
Organisers: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)

Thursday 26 February 2026

Individuals and Informal Control in IOs
Date: 26 February 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
Speaker : Sarah von Billerbeck (Reading)
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room A
Organisers: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)

Thursday 5 March 2026

Legacies of Globalization and the Role of the State in the AI Economy
Date: 5 March 2026, 12:30 - 13:30
Speaker : Leonardo Baccini (McGill)
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room A
Organisers: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)

Thursday 12 March 2026

Growth Models in the Global South: Maintenance and Dysfunction
Date: 12 March 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
Speaker : Nikhil Kalyanpur (LSE)
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room A
Organisers: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)
Hosts: Professor Inken Von Borzyskowski (University of Oxford), Prof Krzysztof Pelc (University of Oxford)

Editors: Holly Omand, Rebecca Freeman, Joby Mullens, Rachel Roberts, Nichola Anderson