Interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences
The Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR) offers global perspectives on the major social transformations of the past and present, specialising in research into cross-border transnational and supranational dimensions of Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. With strong roots in Area Studies, CEISR provides a unique interdisciplinary space for scholars in the humanities and social sciences to identify thematic synergies that break free from disciplinary silos. In doing so, the Centre focuses on three core thematic research areas: marginality, inequality and security.
In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, our entry in Area Studies was ranked as the top modern UK university for overall quality by Grade Point Average (GPA) and research power, and 2nd across all UK universities for research power, according to Times Higher Education. 100% of our impact was rated as having outstanding or very considerable reach and significance.
CEISR’s annual calendar has as its key focus two high profile events: the CEISR Annual Lecture and the CEISR Public Lecture. These high profile events underscore CEISR’s research focus on marginality, inequality and security and its contribution to the building of civic engagement with the humanities and social sciences at the University of Portsmouth.
Partnerships and collaboration
CEISR works with a number of external stakeholders including Chatham House, The European Parliament, The West Africa Peace and Security Network, and Friends Without Borders. CEISR hosts a number of Area Studies PhD students each year through the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (with the Universities of Southampton and Brighton).
Funding
Our activities have been funded by major UK and European research councils, including:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- European Social Fund (ESF)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- European Union (EU)
- UNESCO
- British Academy
- UK Research and Innovation
- Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
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Publication highlights
The latest publications from CEISR members are below:
2024
Young sanctuary-living chimpanzees produce more communicative expressions with artificial objects than with natural objects
Davila Ross, M., Gibson, V., Nomikou, I., Salphati, S., Somogyi, E., Taylor, D. J.
23 Oct 2024, In: Royal Society Open Science. 11, 10, 18p., 240632
Defining contemporary outdoor physical activity: a critical interpretive synthesis
Gorczynski, P., McEwan, K., Muller, J., Weston, N.
1 Sep 2024, In: Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 47, 13p., 100799
Teenage pregnancies, child marriage and girl child sexual abuse in Malawi
Chikhungu, L.
5 Jul 2024, In: Taiwan Insight
Evaluative judgements, negative reviews and ‘objective culture’: The critical reception of Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York
Stewart, S.
1 Jul 2024, In: Sociological Problems. 56, 1, p. 51-71
Understanding the performance, survival and collapse of African ad hoc military coalitions
Chafer, T., Cumming, G., Van der Velde, R.
26 Jun 2024, In: African Security, 28p.
The False Dawns over Marawi: Examining the post-Marawi counterterrorism strategy in the Philippines
Bajo, A. F., Smith, T.
1 Jun 2024, In: Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 19, 3, p. 406-422, 16p.
Level 7 degree apprenticeships – a story of challenge, resilience and success
Brindley, J., Cook, F., Poole, R., Sims, S.
6 May 2024, In: Research in Post-Compulsory Education. 29, 2, p. 191-219
The effects of a school-based mindfulness programme (Paws b) on empathy and prosocial behaviour: a randomised controlled trial
Crompton, K., Fasulo, A., Kaklamanou, D., Somogyi, E.
11 Apr 2024, In: Mindfulness
Enduring borders: precarity, swift falls and stretched time in the lives of migrants experiencing homelessness in the UK
Sanders, C., Stewart, S.
1 Apr 2024, In: Sociology. 58, 2, p. 403-419, 17p.
The war in Ukraine and the ambivalent figure of ‘Babushka’: Intersectional nation-building and the delegitimisation/legitimisation of war on YouTube
Jasinskaja-Lahti, I., Lönnroth-Olin, M., Menard, R., Pauha, T., Venäläinen, S.
1 Apr 2024, In: Nations and Nationalism. 30, 2, p. 290-305
View all CEISR's research publications on the University of Portsmouth's Research Portal.
Research groups
Decolonising Spaces
We're researching the history, societies, cultures, politics and languages of different regions of the world, with a particular emphasis on decolonial perspectives.
History Research Group
We're researching aspects of social and cultural history in European societies, and further afield.
Peace, Conflict and Security Research Group
We're researching the complex reality of the struggles over the meaning of security, citizenship and rights.
Sociology and Social Theory Research Group
Our research is located in the disciplinary field of sociology and the interdisciplinary domain of social theory.
Transnational Politics and Society Research Group
Our research focuses on the cross-border dimensions of Europe and the wider world, including transnational politics, civil society and migration.
Women's and Gender Studies Research Group
We're researching violence against women and girls, access to justice, peace-building and conflict resolution.
Education, Social Justice and Transformation Research Group
This group seeks to open up opportunities to share and explore critical, radical, alternative and liberatory approaches to the research and practice of education across multiple global contexts.
Research areas and areas of expertise
Area studies
We're exploring international relations, history, politics, economies, cultures, languages and geography across specific regions.
Education
We're researching what education looks like for different groups of people around the globe, while pushing for social justice and the human rights agenda worldwide.
History
We're understanding our society through the study of experiences, culture, values and activities of people throughout history.
Languages and applied linguistics
We're looking beyond words to explore how they're used in certain contexts, and the relationship words can have with social constructs such as class or power. Explore our languages and applied linguistics research.
Politics and international relations
We're exploring pressing issues in politics and international relations and working with organisations, governments and individuals to find solutions.
Sociology
We're studying the patterns of relationships, social interaction, cultures and communities, and how people live their lives. Explore our sociology research.
Women's and gender studies
We're exploring women’s issues and gender issues in social and cultural contexts through time, and how gender is represented in the media. Explore our women's and gender studies research.
Our members
Director of CEISR
Professor Simon Stewart
Events Coordinators
Kris Nolan
Charlotte Steffen
Media Coordinator
Mark Anthony Kaye
News, blogs and podcasts
Find our more about our latest research successes, read blogs by our academics and listen to the latest ideas and discoveries that look set to change our lives in our Life Solved podcast.
Security and Risk blog
Read the latest insights into security and risk in relation to our modern world, with a focus on government regulations, online safety, cyber wars and travel security.
Episode 1: The Coronavirus Toolkit
Portsmouth researchers discuss the issues that have arisen as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Episode 2: How Politics Became Social
Dr James Dennis explores how political behaviour is changing in the digital age.
Episode 5: Drone warfare
Professor Peter Lee spoke to drone operators about how their job does not detach them from the act of killing.
