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Schools Liaison


The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen's welcomes the opportunity to work with teachers and students at second level who have an interest in politics, European studies or international relations. We are the largest centre for the study of politics and international relations on the island of Ireland, and one of the largest in the United Kingdom. We have an academic staff of 40, with expertise in areas as diverse as ethnic conflict, the politics of gender, British and Irish politics, political theory, philosophy, European integration, human rights, ethics, international relations theory, and culture and media studies. We offer degree programmes in Politics, European Studies, International Relations, Cultural and Media Studies and Philosophy. Full details of our undergraduate degree programmes, including entrance requirements, can be found at undergraduate degrees.

We look forward to welcoming second level teachers and students to some of our Schools Liaison activities, details of which can be found by clicking on the links below. We are also happy to come to your school to speak to groups of students, either about the degree programmes we offer here at Queen's, or to offer one of the lectures listed below.

We are compiling a database of all second level schools in Northern Ireland, so please help us ensure our records are complete by e-mailing the following contact details for your school : 
School name, full postal address, Principal, Head of Careers, Head of Politics, website adress (if applicable).
Details should be sent to Conor O'Neill.  

For further information on any of our Schools Liaison activities, or for general information on the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, please contact Conor O'Neill. We particularly welcome your feedback on our new programme of events.

Presentation on the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
Staff from the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy are happy to visit schools in Northern Ireland to talk about the various degree programmes we offer at undergraduate level. We have a short (25 minute) powerpoint presentation about our four BA programmes, which could be used as part of your schools' own careers programme. This presentation is designed to raise awareness of the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, the degrees we offer and what students can expect from undergraduate studies at Queen's. It will also provide an opportunity for students to ask more general questions about academic life at Queen's and the range of study options available to them. If you would like to arrange for such a presentation in your school, please contact Conor O'Neill, who will be happy to make the necessary arrangements.

Lectures to A-level students: 6th Form Lectures
Our lecturers are happy to arrange to give talks to schools, either specifically to A-level Politics students, or to more general audiences. We can usually amend our topics slightly to fit in with the kind of event you are holding. You are welcome to contact the relevant member of staff directly to discuss suitable dates and times, and e-mail addresses are given. Alternatively, you can contact Conor O'Neill, who will be happy to make the necessary arrangements.

 Global Development and Democracy in America  Stefan Andreasson
 Theories of Power or Political Ideologies  Susan McManus
 What is Northern Ireland?  Cathal McCall
 The IRA and the Northern Ireland Peace Process  Richard English
 Devolution in Northern Ireland Post 1998  Rick Wilford
 The Management of Ethnic Diversity  Roberto Belloni
 The European Union and Enlargement: The More the Merrier?  David Phinnemore
 Has Socialism a future?  Vincent Geoghegan

Sixth Form Politics Conferences
The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy organises an annual Sixth Form Politics Conference. The one-day programme, which is held on the University Campus, is a perfect opportunity for A-level politics students to listen to three lectures on the topic, "Political Power". There is a nominal charge for students attending the conference (£2.00), and no charge for teachers accompanying school groups.

A second conference aimed at AS level students will concentrate on the politics of Northern Ireland, and will give students some experience of document analysis in small groups. The one-day programme, held on the University Campus, will cover 2 lectures about political developments in Northern Ireland, and in the final session students will be broken up into tutorial groups to work on source materials under the direction of a Teaching Assistant from the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy.

The A-Level conference will normally be held in April, and an AS Level conference in January. Places will be allocated on a first-come basis, and will be limited to 275 for each event. Schools will be notified when dates and venues have been confirmed. For any further information on our Sixth Form Conferences, please contact Conor O'Neill.