About the Department

Welcome to the Department of Government, one of the largest political science departments in the UK. Our activities cover almost all areas of political studies, and represent a comprehensive range of academic approaches and expertise, including the history of political thought, political philosophy, contemporary political theory (both normative and explanatory), comparative politics and the detailed study of institutions and policy-making in many different areas of the world.

The Department has always been able to take advantage of its prominent position within the London School of Economics and Political Science, the largest and most important European institution specialising solely in the social sciences. A large number of our graduate offerings involve collaboration with other departments and institutes in the School including the European Institute, the Methodology Institute, Urban and Regional Planning (in the Geography Department), International Relations, the Development Studies Institute, and Law.

Our undergraduate, masters and research students come from all corners of the globe, as do our academic visitors and faculty. Accordingly, the Department has a strongly cosmopolitan character and its alumni are to be found in some of the leading departments of political science and in journalism, commerce, central and local government, and non-governmental organisations in the UK and across the world.

These pages provide information about the Department's structure, programmes and research activities, as well as details about our academics, affiliated and administrative staff. The pages will continue to develop and we value any feedback we receive.