Featured events

01 University of Birmingham sponsored events

Can foreign policy of democratic states arrest the global decline of democracy?– This free public lecture, sponsored by the University of Birmingham and CEDAR, takes place on Tuesday 4 June, 6.15-8.30pm at The Exchange. Registration is required.

This panel asks what the connection is between foreign policy and global democratic decline. Speakers include: Anthony Smith (CEO, Westminster Foundation for Democracy); Dame Melinda Simmons (former British Ambassador to Ukraine, FCDO); Kate Whyte (Head of Governance Profession at FCDO); Professor Catherine O’Regan (University of Oxford) – all speakers TBC.

Explaining and Preventing Civil War Recurrence – Wednesday 5 June, 9-10.30am, Room 103, Library

Authoritarian futures? International politics and future-oriented foreign policymaking in authoritarian regimes – Thursday 6 June, 10.45am-12.15pm, Sonata, Hyatt

The foreign policy and international relations of authoritarian middle-powers – Thursday 6 June, 1.15-2.45pm, Soprano, Hyatt

‘Making the Sandwiches’: Gender, Race, Social Reproduction, and Academic Labour – Thursday 6 June, 3-4.30pm, Soprano, Hyatt

The politics of development: Institutions, interests, and ideas – Thursday 6 June, 4.45-6.15pm, Room 101, Library

What does the future hold for the US and UK’s ‘Special Relationship’? Examining the transatlantic partnership in the year of elections: roundtable followed by drinks reception. Sponsored by the Foreign Policy Centre, University of Birmingham and BISA – Thursday 6 June, 6.30-9pm, The Assembly Room, The Exchange

The event will begin with a keynote address from Sir Peter Westmacott, the former British ambassdor to the United States (2012 – 2016), to be followed by a panel discussion involving academics, journalists and Liam Byrne, MP and Shadow Minister of State for Work and Pensions. This free public event is open to all, but you must register in advance.

Taking the F-Word Global: Energy and Backlash in Feminist Foreign Policy – Friday 7 June, 4.45-6.15pm, Justham, Symphony Hall

02 Special events

CPD Early Career Prize panel – Wednesday 5 June, 10.45-12.15pm, Jane How Symphony Hall

Learning and teaching café – Wednesday 5 June, 10.45-12.15pm, Exec 10 ICC

A tribute to the work of Christopher Coker – The Return of History: Christopher Coker and The Study of War – Thursday 6 June, 1.15-2.45pm, Room 101 Birmingham Library.

In this tribute to Christopher Coker who sadly passed away last year, you will hear about a prolific scholar who authored nearly 30 books, most notably on the changing face of war and transatlantic relations; gave presentations at countless universities, think tanks and staff colleges; and mentored generations of graduate students. We recommend you read Christopher’s last essay, published posthumously, in this edited volume (ed Mick Cox) on Ukraine.

Birmingham: The war years – Wednesday 5 June, 12.15-1.15pm, Justham, Symphony Hall. This talk explains the history of wartime Birmingham and explores some of the reporting restrictions and the stories of these cities that are rarely reported or mentioned today.

Film screening: ‘Youse are so brave’ - Wednesday 5 June, 12.45-1.15pm, Exec 5, ICC

This film is a feminist retelling of women’s military history as ‘front line’ combatants in Northern Ireland, decades before the British Army’s lifting of the ban on women in ground close combat. It showcases the ‘front line’ stories of women veterans of the Troubles from the Ulster Defence Regiment, Royal Irish Regiment, Women’s Royal Army Corps and Royal Ulster Constabulary in their own words. Funded by the University of Bath Public Engagement Fund and the South West Doctoral Training Partnership, it was a collaboration between researcher, Dr Hannah West; veteran artist/actor, Jordan Holland; videographer, Simon Wharf; and director/musician, Tim West; with drone camera work by Gabriel Gilson. The screening will be introduced by Dr Hannah West and followed by a Q&A.

Keynote by Professor Tarak Barkawi - War and World Politics: or why I stopped doing IR (SPONSORED BY THIRD WORLD QUARTERLY) – Wednesday 5 June, 4.45-6.15pm, Justham/Jane How, Symphony Hall

Tarak Barkawi, currently based at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, studies war and empire. His interdisciplinary scholarship re-imagines relations between war, armed forces and society in modern world politics. He has written on the pivotal place of armed force in globalization, imperialism, and modernization, and on the neglected significance of war in social and political theory and in histories of empire.

Introduction to Book Publishing – Thursday 6 June, 9-10.30am, Stuart Hall, The Exchange

Susan Strange @ 100: an enduring legacy for contemporary times – Thursday 6 June, 9-10.30am, Sonata, Hyatt, followed by a poster session in the exhibition hall at the Hyatt.

The work of Susan Strange, a powerful intellectual force in the early development of International Relations (IR) and especially International Political Economy (IPE), has enjoyed a renaissance recently. In this panel followed by a poster session, several PhD students display how they are using Susan Strange’s ideas as part of their doctoral research. From research on development finance to contemporary monetary issues, these students are conducting research that not only keeps Strange’s ideas relevant, they demonstrate that her work continues to inspire cutting edge research in IR and IPE.

War Studies Working Group Keynote by Ed Hall: Finding Rainbows in the UK’s Armed Forces: from sacking lesbians and gays to promoting LGBT soldiers, a journey in diversity and inclusion (SPONSORED BY POLITY) – Thursday 6 June, 1.15-4.30pm, Justham, Symphony Hall.

Ed Hall is a television and technology entrepreneur, author and political activist who has campaigned for lesbian and gay rights since he was dismissed from the Royal Navy in 1988 for being gay. He has lived and worked around the world, and has contributed to a range of research and publications on the subject of LGBT rights. Most recently he appears in the 2023 Sky documentary ‘Forced Out’ which will be screened at 3pm following Ed’s talk.

Prize giving ceremony – Thursday 6 June, 12.20-1.15pm, Justham Symphony Hall. Be the first to know who’s won the 2024 BISA prizes, including the Distinguished Contribution Prize and the Susan Strange Best Book Prize.

Book launch reception for The Duty to Secure: From Just to Mandatory Securitization (Cambridge University Press, 2024) by Rita Floyd – Friday 7 June, 12.15-1.15pm, Justham, Symphony Hall (Lunch provided)

Academic freedom in the teaching, learning and research of Politics and IR – Friday 7 June, 3-4.30pm, Jane How, Symphony Hall

03 BISA journal events

• Security Partnerships in Comparative Perspective (European Journal of International Security) – Wednesday 5 June, 9-10.30am, Room 102 Library
• Review of International Studies - RIS @ 50. On the Horizon: The futures of IR (Review of International Studies) – Thursday 6 June, 1.15-2.45pm, Jane How, Symphony Hall
• Meet the Editors of Review of International Studies, European Journal of International Security and International Affairs – Thursday 6 June, 3-4.30pm, Jane How, Symphony Hall
• Narratives and dilemmas of global security (European Journal of International Security) – Thursday 6 June, 3-4.30pm, Mary Sturge, The Exchange
• Publishing as a PhD Scholar: Dos and Don'ts (Review of International Studies) – Friday 7 June, 1.15-2.45pm, Jane How, Symphony Hall

• Meet the editors - Speed networking session – Friday 7 June, 3-4.30pm, Sonata, Hyatt

  Ten journals will take part in this innovative event where you can bring your question or idea and meet with them on a first-come-first-served basis. Each appointment will last 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes is up, a bell will ring and all participants will immediately move on; either to another journal or to the exit once you are finished. The participating journals are British Journal of Politics and International Relations, African Affairs, Defence Studies, Review of International Studies, European Security, International Affairs, European Journal of International Security, International Political Sociology, and Political Geography.

04 Exhibition hall

The exhibition hall is open from 10.30am to 6.15pm on Wednesday 5 June, 9am to 6.15pm on Thursday 6 June, and 9am to 4.45pm on Friday 7 June.

In addition to a wide range of exhibitors, we have a BISA backdrop where you can take a selfie with friends and colleagues, and tables and chairs to use for meetings and work. On Thursday 6 June we will have a pop-up headshot studio available in the afternoon. You can commission a new professional-looking headshot, free of charge, to use on your website, LinkedIn, research profiles, or wherever else you need them. The headshots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and your images will be sent to you by the BISA team after the conference.

05 Working group AGMs

International Law and Politics Working Group – Wednesday 5 June, 12.15-1.15pm, Drawing Room, Hyatt

South East Europe Working Group – Friday 7 June, 12.15-1.15pm, Dolce, Hyatt

06 Food, drink, entertainment and Birmingham

We’ll be providing all delegates with two refreshment breaks each day, as well as lunch. This is a good time to meet other delegates and visit the exhibitor hall too. Don’t miss our conference reception on Wednesday 5 June at the iconic Birmingham Library (6.45-8.45pm). This 10-level, flagship building boasts two outdoor garden terraces and a panoramic viewing gallery at the summit, where visitors can enjoy stunning views from one of the highest points in the city.

For those who are more active, Mark Webber and Stefan Wolff have organised a canal run on Thursday 6 June at 7.30am. No registration is required, just meet outside the Hyatt Hotel and follow either a 4km or 8km route.

Many of you will be keen to get out and explore Birmingham. Our fantastic conference team at the University have put together a ‘Birmingham survival guide’ for you, with information on everything from coffee shops to local attractions.

07 PDF programme

Although you can save a copy of the conference programme as a pdf at any time, we've left a handy instantly downloadable version here in case you need it.