Breaking the Fourth Wall

This paper explores the way in which we have created opportunities for Politics and IR students at the University of Reading to break through the barrier between the scholarly study of politics and direct engagement with key political figures during their study. Using three examples - social media engagement; our Politics Radio Show; and our approach to teaching parliamentary studies, the paper details the benefits students gain from a direct interaction with politicians and those who work with them within our modules. Built around the example of how a visit from the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, became international news, the paper explores the ways students build their understandings of institutions, policy making and even media manipulation through questioning key 'Political Voices' and applying their learning in summative assessments built on these opportunities for engagement.