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Welcome to SPIRe
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Welcome to SPIRe

UCD School of Politics and International Relations

Who We Are & What We Offer

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January Start Courses
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January Start Courses

Applications are open for January 2026 start

MSc Sustainable Development (Online) | Professional Certificate in Quantitative Text Analysis / Professional Certificate in Programming for Social Scientists (On-campus, 4 months)

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World Top 100 by Subject 2024
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World Top 100 by Subject 2024

SPIRe ranks in the QS top 100 in Politics

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What is Politics & International Relations?
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What is Politics & International Relations?

Why Study Politics & International Relations at UCD?

Associate Professor Joseph Lacey and a current student Joey McDonald explain.

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Publications by SPIRe Staff
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Publications by SPIRe Staff

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News and Events

Alumni Event Report: Ireland’s Presidency: More Than a Figurehead?
Alumni Event Report: Ireland’s Presidency: More Than a Figurehead?

On Tuesday, 30 September, the School of Politics and International Relations brought the SPIRe alumni community together for a lively and thought-provoking discussion.

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Dr Alexander Dukalskis is giving a lecture for the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 15Oct
Dr Alexander Dukalskis is giving a lecture for the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Title: Dictating the Agenda – How Authoritarians are Transforming Global Governance | Wed 15 October, 9am CEST (8am Irish Time) | Click here for details & live stream
PSAI Workshop on Methods in Political Theory
PSAI Workshop on Methods in Political Theory

A guest speaker Prof Jonathan Floyd explains different methods in Political Theory.
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RTÉ\'s Behind the Story podcast by Dr Alexander Dukalskis
RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast by Dr Alexander Dukalskis

"Rising authoritarianism, Kneecap and Eurovision"

Conference on Food Security and Sovereignty in Sub-Saharan Africa
Conference on Food Security and Sovereignty in Sub-Saharan Africa

UCD Centre for Sustainable Development hosted the conference, which was co-organised with the African Development Bank and supported by Irish Aid and Research Ireland.
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Dr Lucía Tiscornia Awarded Prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Grants
Dr Lucía Tiscornia Awarded Prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Grants

For her project "CRIMLATAM", which will explore how criminal organisations operate in Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica
SPIRe Warmly Welcomes Our New Colleagues
SPIRe Warmly Welcomes Our New Colleagues

Welcome to our new colleagues: Dr Elisa D'Amico, Dr Nikita Khokhlov, and Dr Farsan Ghassim
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Article on the Irish Independent by Alexander Dukalskis
Article on the Irish Independent by Alexander Dukalskis

Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un’s show of dictator muscle in China keeps the world on edge
PhD Student, Jambo Ramadhani, Awarded Biannual College Research Funding
PhD Student, Jambo Ramadhani, Awarded Biannual College Research Funding

Title: Public Policy and Local Climate Adaptation: A Case Study of Drought Response Strategies in Monduli District, Northern Tanzania
Autumn 2025 Seminar Series
Autumn 2025 Seminar Series

All seminars are on Wednesdays from 12-1pm in the SPIRe boardroom, F301 Newman.
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UCD Open Day

UCD Open Day

Saturday 8 November 2025. For prospective undergraduate students. Register your interest here.  

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UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

School Office: G301, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.