Opened in September 2010, the School of Politics, History and International Relations (PHIR) provides the University with a unique research-hub in the fields of political science, international relations (IR) and history, located in one of the politically most dynamic regions of the world. The principal focus of our activity lies in the provision of graduate-level teaching, doctoral and post-doctoral research and interacting with governments, civil society bodies and international organisations located in Malaysia and the region.
In keeping with the nature of our discipline, we recruit staff from across the world. All members of staff are active researchers, pursuing cutting-edge, policy-relevant and curiosity-driven research across a broad spectrum of ‘IR’, comparative politics and international history. The results of their findings are published in some of the leading journals and academic presses, and frequently help shape national debates and policy decision-making.
In our research and teaching activities we routinely draw on the resources of our associated schools in the UK, the School of Politics and International Relations and the School of History, and the Division of International Studies at The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China. This global network gives our staff and graduate students access to a team of researchers that forms one of the largest concentrations of IR and politics scholarship in the world.
The School hosts its own ‘Nottingham International Affairs’ seminar series in which academics and practitioners share their research findings and work experience in the areas of IR, development, politics and foreign relations. The series culminates in a prestigious annual lecture: last year delivered by the EU Ambassador to Malaysia. The school’s student society, PHIR-NOTT, supplements these formal activities with its own round-table discussions, study-trips and social events. Our graduate students frequently take advantage of the range of intellectual opportunities made available in the various research institutes, embassies and international organisations located in Kuala Lumpur and the region. Many of these institutions contribute to the school’s internship programmes, which provide students with real-work experience in areas of international affairs, media, politics and development.
The school has established itself as one of the premier centres for the study of politics, history and international relations in the region. We provide a dynamic learning environment that offers you the opportunity to stretch and test yourself, to question assumptions and contribute to the way we understand, conceptualise and engage with global political phenomena.