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 Leeds

Dr 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 Hub

We 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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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Twitter- @CTISLeeds @LouiseKPears

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

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 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

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

In this first episode we invite Dr Ida Birkvad, Fellow in Political Theory in the Department of International Relations at LSE, and Dr Alexander Stoffel, Lecturer in International Politics in the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London, to discuss the idea of criticality. This episode was inspired by their article "Abstractions in International Relations: on the mystification of trans, queer, and subaltern life in critical knowledge production" in the European Journal of International Relations and subsequent blog piece in E-International Relations.

Suggestions from Ida and Alex:

Histories of the Transgender Child, Gill-Peterson, J.

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 Marine Guéguin and Dr Harrison Swinhoe both Post-doctoral researchers in the Centre for Global Security Challenges.

Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

Season Two is coming soon! If you have an idea for an episode please get in touch with Madeleine or Louise.

Episode mentions:

Maria Barros Hoffman

Madeleine's article on privileges and positionality

Skunk Anasie- Intellectualise My Blackness

“Politics and Pedagogy” a podcast run by the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship in Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds. This first series is funded by The COST Action DecolDEV which takes on the challenge to reconstruct the concept and practice of development after its deconstruction. This series showcases conversations from academics in Politics, International Relations and Development as they reflect on decolonial practices in education. 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 Marine Guéguin and Dr Harrison Swinhoe both Post-doctoral researchers in the Centre for Global Security Challenges.

Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

Funding Provider: This podcast is funded by the EU's Cost Action Decolonising Development (CA19129): www.cost.eu. The Action works towards a resetting and diversification of the structures, institutions and spaces in which knowledge about and for development is produced, shared, contested and put into practice. Decolonisation of knowledge about ‘development’ cannot mean to maintain a paternalist binary of those already developed and those less developed but must scrutinize the structures and institutions that maintain power imbalances and the ideas that support paternalistic relations and assumptions of superiority according to intersectional (read: gendered, racialized, classed etc.) objectification of the Other

.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. This first series is funded by The COST Action DecolDEV which takes on the challenge to reconstruct the concept and practice of development after its deconstruction. This series showcases conversations from academics in Politics, International Relations and Development as they reflect on decolonial practices in education. 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 Marine Guéguin and Dr Harrison Swinhoe both Post-doctoral researchers in the Centre for Global Security Challenges.

Follow us! @CTISLeeds @DrMLeBourdon @LouiseKPears

Funding Provider: This podcast is funded by the EU's Cost Action Decolonising Development (CA19129): www.cost.eu. The Action works towards a resetting and diversification of the structures, institutions and spaces in which knowledge about and for development is produced, shared, contested and put into practice. Decolonisation of knowledge about ‘development’ cannot mean to maintain a paternalist binary of those already developed and those less developed but must scrutinize the structures and institutions that maintain power imbalances and the ideas that support paternalistic relations and assumptions of superiority according to intersectional (read: gendered, racialized, classed etc.) objectification of the Other.

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.

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BlueSky-@ctisleeds.bsky.social @mlebourdon.bsky.social

Sign up for our in person launch: Monday 9th June at Kings College London

Sign up for our online launching and meeting: Tuesday 9th September

If you need funding to attend the launch event email us: contact@aspirenetwork.uk

Bluesky: @aspirenetwork.bsky.social

Guests: 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, Politics

Active Learning in Politics Blog

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BlueSky-@ctisleeds.bsky.social @mlebourdon.bsky.social @louisepears.bsky.social