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The application deadline is extended until 10 June.
This Summer School connects early-career researchers and students with international relations experts to explore key questions around the potential return of great power politics.
International relations are at a pivotal moment of transformation. Are we witnessing the resurgence of great power politics? This central question guides the 2025 Summer School hosted by the Standing Group on International Relations.
Over five days, you will critically examine the core domains of contemporary international relations: foreign aid, trade, security, and global governance. These areas are key to understanding how the return of great power competition could affect global stability.
You'll engage with leading experts and receive feedback on your research from instructors and peers. The Summer School combines lectures with active learning sessions that will challenge your thinking and deepen your understanding of the mechanisms and challenges shaping international relations.
Submit your application by Tuesday 10 June 2025.
Moments of change and transformation are occurring in international relations. Are we dealing with the return of great power politics? This is the central topic about international relations in 2025.
Four core domains of contemporary international relations — foreign aid, trade, security and global governance — need to be addressed in order to provide an answer to such a fundamental question. The major implications of the return of great power politics will be explored and discussed in the 2025 Summer School of the Standing Group on International Relations. The Summer School will include lectures with active learning sessions to stimulate critical thinking about contemporary international relations.
The future of international aid is being significantly called into doubt by the Trump administration's decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). One important tenet of the post-Cold War international order was global development cooperation. Is foreign aid incompatible with great power politics? The Summer School will cover the current significance of international development cooperation and aid as well as the fallouts from the Trump administration's policy.
Global and regional security systems have traditionally been distrusted by realist approaches to international relations. Great power interests, namely those of the United States, appear to be at odds with cooperative security institutions like NATO and the European Union as a result of the resurgence of great power politics. Will the interests of big nations trump collective security alliances? The Summer School programme will explore answers to this fundamental question.
Trade protectionism and tariffs are linked to the resurgence of great power politics. The policies of major powers are challenging the international trade regulations established by the World Trade Organization. What does the future hold for international trade and economic relations? The Summer School will address the future of the neoliberal economic system and of international commerce.
The sustainability of international cooperation is called into doubt by the United States' exit from international institutions and regimes. The resurgence of great power politics is posing a threat to international organisations – such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization – and international agreements, namely those in the domain of climate change. In the face of international anarchy, the neoliberal view of the relevance of international cooperation is being challenged. In a world when great power politics rule, what part will international organizations and regimes play? This is the fourth question that will be discussed at the Summer School.
The Summer School is open to PhD students, research Masters students, and advanced Masters students from political science, international relations, public administration, and related fields.
All applicants must have at least completed introductory courses in political and administrative sciences or international relations at the BA level.
To apply, you must submit the following as a single PDF file by 26 May 2025:
You will be informed about the outcome of your application by email in June 2025.
Partial or incomplete applications will not be processed. Late applications will not be accepted.
Participants are expected to present their research in the form of a paper or book chapter (6,000 to 8,000 words) and engage in discussions on another participant’s paper.
In exceptional cases, we may accept project proposals or research plans.
The Summer School will be delivered in English; you must have a good command of written and spoken English.
A registration fee of €300 applies and includes coffee breaks, lunches, reception, and a social dinner.
A link to register for the Summer School will be sent to successful applicants directly. Please note that your registration is not confirmed until your application has been accepted and your payment is received in full.
To support students from lower income areas, the Summer School offers a reduced registration fee of €200. To apply, please include a statement in your Summer School application outlining why you require the reduced fee, along with evidence that you are not in receipt of any other funding for the event.
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