Citizenship and civil society

In our citizenship and civil society research, we're exploring aspects of citizenship – from identity politics to questions of sovereignty – and studying how they impact individuals, affect social and political norms and policies, and how they shape the activism of societal actors, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

A significant part of our research investigates how citizenship, identity and migration issues are evolving. In this context, we're analysing the policies, norms and political outcomes associated with these topics, and addressing the complex political challenges that they pose.

Our staff engage with policymakers and practitioners to gain a better understanding of the issues they face, and using their expertise, work with them to find solutions to these problems.

The work we're doing is relevant to everyday citizens, to those that are elected to represent the needs and concerns of the population (for example, the European Parliament) and to non-elected bodies, such as NGOs.

Our research is regularly published in international peer-reviewed journals – such as Citizenship Studies, Ethnicity and Migration, Political Studies, and Social Movements – and in monographs with leading academic publishers, including Cambridge University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, and Routledge.

Methods and facilities

We use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods – including archival research, statistical analysis, social network analysis, document analysis, media discourse analysis, questionnaires, participant/non-participant observation, focus groups, elite and non-elite interviews, and surveys.

Much of our work is based within specialist centres based at the University, including the Centre for European and International Studies Research and the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for the Study of a Transnational Europe.

Collaborations and funders

We collaborate with universities, research institutes, NGOs and civil society networks – and national, regional and transnational governance actors across a range of citizenship areas. Recent partners include the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, and the Centre for Global Cooperation Research at the University of Duisberg, Germany.

We also offer expertise to key societal actors, with a specific focus on transnational actors and citizenship practices in specific regions, such as Europe and Africa.

Our work is frequently funded by major funding bodies in the UK, other European countries and the European Union, and by research councils and foundations – including the British Academy, the European Union, the Research Councils of Germany and Norway.

Discover our areas of expertise

Citizenship and civil society is one of our four areas of expertise in our Politics and International Relations research area. Explore the others below.

Research groups

Interested in a PhD in Politics and International Development?

Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Politics and International Development postgraduate research degrees page.