“Our Department is built upon a productive and inclusive environment that offers equality of opportunity and a positive culture for all. As Head of Department, I am personally committed to a culture and set of actions that lead to the progression and success of women in political science.”
The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. The University of Essex was awarded the Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award in November 2013. In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in other disciplines, including political science.
Our department has over 55 academic members of staff, 21 of whom are women. We also have over 55 research students, more than one third of whom are women. We are proud of our outstanding female political scientists.
“The Department has been very supportive of my PhD studies providing me feedback on my research progress and funding for training and conferences. The departmental support has also yielded external research opportunities – for example, last year I was part of the Visions in Methodology conference where I was able to interact with many outstanding female scholars in the U.S. As a postgraduate research student, it is very inspiring being part of a department with so many bright female scholars.”
“As a PhD student I have always felt respected and encouraged by the Department. I have been given plenty of opportunities to participate in international conferences and present my work to my field’s top scholars... The department has also trusted me with a lot of teaching responsibilities as well, which has strengthened my professional profile. My supervisory board has gone at great lengths to support me during my first years in academia. Knowing that I have the department’s help and trust makes entering the next phase of my professional career a lot less frightening.”
“I really enjoyed my UROP placement, because I was able to learn how to code and how to research in depth for articles with only little a priori information. It gave me the opportunity to try something I had never thought would be a career option for me.”
"I experienced strong culture shock at first in Hong Kong, however I adapted very quickly thanks to the welcoming people at the university. I made a lot of new friends, even local friends who showed me their culture and new ways of enjoying life to the fullest… My experience at City University of Hong Kong had its hardships as well of course, however, the Essex Abroad team were very kind and helped me with everything, so you can count on them during your own journey for sure. I would like to thank them!"
"Studying abroad in Madrid has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, its been such an amazing experience to be able to meet people from all over the world and learn more about different cultures, growing my global perspective. Immersing myself in the culture and life that Spain has to offer has been so enriching because not only has it helped me to develop my Spanish further but being in an environment so different from Essex is an invaluable opportunity for both personal and academic growth."
Our work engages with some of the key debates surrounding gender, equality, diversity, inclusion and representation within the political landscape today.
Our department offers a number of modules that examine issues surrounding equality and diversity. Visit our module directory for up to date information.
The department continuously seeks to increase the gender balance of reading lists using the Gender Balance Assessment Tool.
Here are some recent publications by female colleagues:
Does the @realDonaldTrump Really Matter to Financial Markets? American Journal of Political Science by Allyson L. Benton and Andrew Q. Philips, 2020
Luck, Hypothetical Insurance, and the Costs of Children, Journal of Applied Philosophy by Isabella Trifan, 2022
Here are some recent publications concerning diversity and inclusivity:
Varieties of Climate Vulnerability: Assessing Socio-Economic and Political Risks in the Anthropocene, Leverhulme Trust Federica Genovese, £1 million
Rethinking Subaltern Agency, Leverhulme Trust, Moya Lloyd £120,964