Seminar series
The seminars are an important part of the research environment at the Department of Political Science. They bring together researchers, doctoral students, and guests to test ideas, discuss ongoing research, and develop scholarly dialogue.
The department hosts a joint research seminar, five specialised seminar series organised by the department, and several seminars connected to our research programmes and research environments. Seminars are generally open to the public. Current seminars are announced in the University of Gothenburg’s event calendar.
General research seminar (AFS)
The General Research Seminar is the department’s joint research seminar series. It features innovative research from different branches of political science as well as from other fields relevant to the development of the discipline. Both researchers from the department and guests participate.
The department’s specialised seminar series
Elections, Public Opinion and Political Behavior (EPOP)
EPOP is a seminar series focusing on elections, public opinion, and political behaviour. It addresses research on how voters, parties, media, campaigns, and political institutions shape democratic development.
International Politics (IP)
The International Politics seminar series addresses research on foreign policy, global governance, international relations, transnational movements, gender, security, and conflict. Both historical and contemporary issues in world politics are discussed.
Comparative Politics
The Comparative Politics seminar series focuses on research on political systems, institutions, and processes across different countries and contexts. Topics include democracy, democratisation, political parties, political institutions, and political development.
Public Policy and Public Administration (PAPP)
The Public Policy and Public Administration seminar series addresses research on how political decisions are shaped, organised, and implemented in practice. Topics include public governance, public administration, corruption, and citizens’ encounters with public institutions.
Political Theory
The Political Theory seminar series is a forum for research on political ideas, norms, and concepts. Discussions address issues such as democracy, justice, freedom, responsibility, power, truth, and social norms.
Seminars within research programmes and research environments
Information about the time and location of current seminars is available on the websites of the respective research programmes and research environments.
Centre for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS)
CEPS brings together research on environmental politics and environmental problems from social science and interdisciplinary perspectives. Seminar topics include climate policy, sustainable development, environmental opinion, natural resources, and energy policy.
Centre for European Research at the University of Gothenburg (CERGU)
CERGU brings together research on Europe and the European Union. Seminar topics include EU institutions and policy areas, comparative European politics, voter behaviour, political parties, and Europe’s role in international politics.
Gender in Diplomacy (GenDip)
GenDip studies the changing gender dynamics of diplomacy. The seminars address issues of gender, representation, power, and international relations, as well as how diplomacy changes as more women enter the diplomatic arena.
Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD)
GLD brings together research on the relationship between governance and local development. Seminar topics include why some societies are better than others at providing security, education, healthcare, and other conditions for human development.
Quality of Government Institute (QoG)
QoG seminars focus on the quality of government and the causes and consequences of corruption. Discussions address how reliable, impartial, and non-corrupt institutions are created, and how governance affects areas such as health, the environment, and social welfare.
Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)
V-Dem seminars focus on democracy, democratisation, and autocratisation worldwide. The research is grounded in a broad concept of democracy and examines how democratic institutions, rights, and participation develop and change over time.