{"id":12002,"date":"2026-07-13T16:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T15:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/politics\/?p=12002"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:08:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:08:19","slug":"powered-by-people-another-great-year-for-cccu-politics-and-ir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/politics\/2026\/07\/13\/powered-by-people-another-great-year-for-cccu-politics-and-ir\/","title":{"rendered":"Powered by People: Another Great Year for CCCU Politics and IR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the 2025\u201326 academic year draws to a close, we are looking back on another remarkable year for Politics and International Relations at CCCU\u2014one defined by energy, ambition, achievement and the people who make our community so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

From launching our redesigned degree programme to taking students to Brussels, hosting simulations and careers events, celebrating graduations and sharing research on national stages, this has been a year full of innovation, achievement and collaboration. Above all, it has demonstrated what makes our community special: the enthusiasm of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the strength of the connections between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing Politics to Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the highlights of the year has been the range of opportunities for students to experience politics beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October, students visited the Kent Mining Museum at Betteshanger Park, exploring the rich history of labour movements, community action and political change. The trip provided powerful insights into the relationship between political struggle, social justice and collective action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later in the year, students travelled to Brussels to see European politics in action. Visiting one of the world’s most important centres of international governance allowed students to connect classroom discussions with the realities of contemporary policymaking and diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Experiential learning also took place closer to home. Our Climate Summit Simulation challenged students to step into the shoes of international negotiators, representing different states and interests while tackling complex global problems. The simulation demonstrated the value of active learning and showcased the creativity, diplomacy and problem-solving skills of our students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning from Those Who Have Gone Before<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting students’ future ambitions remained a central focus throughout the year and we are so thankful to our generous graduates who help in so many ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A special thank you goes to MSc graduate John Maas, whose generosity with his time, expertise and networks planning our Brussels trip. His support in arranging key introductions at the European Commission and NATO provided students with unique insights and opportunities that would not otherwise have been possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We were delighted to welcome graduates back to share their experiences and career journeys. Through our Get Grad Ready series, former students Kojo Apeagyei, Nick Rayner and Virginia Sala offered honest reflections on navigating careers, postgraduate study and research pathways, providing reassurance and inspiration for current students approaching graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These conversations were complemented by our Careers Fair, which brought together employers, alumni and professional organisations to help students explore the wide range of opportunities available to Politics and IR graduates. Thank you to Pete Adams, Libby Akester-Hill and Finlay Glithero for coming along. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also hosted another successful Working in Diplomacy panel. Hearing from graduates working across the diplomatic sector reinforced an important message: there is no single route into a rewarding career. Students left with practical advice, new contacts and a renewed confidence in their own potential. Thank you very much to Christian Turner and Johh Macgregor for taking part and a very special thanks to Ayten Delaloglu and Emil Ahmagic for travelling all the way from Nicosia and Sarajevo to join us in person!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Celebrating Student Success<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is more rewarding than celebrating the achievements of our students, and this year provided many reasons to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were delighted to see Undergraduate, Masters and PhD students graduate and begin the next stage of their journeys. Graduation ceremonies are always a highlight of the academic calendar and an opportunity to celebrate years of hard work, resilience and personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also celebrated doctoral success, including Gabriel Oduh\u2019s successful PhD viva and Dr Ariana Stancu’s graduation, demonstrating the strength of our postgraduate research community and the supportive environment that helps researchers thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These achievements remind us why we do what we do and reinforce the lasting impact of higher education on students’ lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Strong Year for Research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research continues to shape and enrich everything we do as a department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, members of the Politics team travelled to Oxford for the Political Studies Association Annual Conference, and to Brighton for the British International Studies Association Conference  where they shared their research with colleagues from across the discipline. These annual events are excellent opportunities to showcase the breadth of expertise within the team while contributing to important national and international debates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also highlight something that characterises our course: a commitment to ensuring that research and teaching remain closely connected, enabling students to learn from academics actively engaged in advancing knowledge in their fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition and Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year also brought welcome recognition for members of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were delighted to celebrate nominations and successes in the Golden Apples Awards, reflecting the exceptional commitment of staff to supporting student learning and development. These awards hold special significance because they are driven by student nominations and recognise the relationships that lie at the heart of excellent higher education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Congratulations also to Dr Susan Kenyon, whose award-winning work on commuter students was recognised with the ASPIRE 2026 Non-Journal Dissemination Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A special mention must go to Politics and IR alumnus Emil Ahmagic<\/strong>, who was shortlisted for a CCCU Alumni Award in recognition of his exceptional support for our students. Despite a demanding diplomatic career in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emil has returned year after year to contribute to our Working in Diplomacy<\/em> events, inspiring students with his generosity, professionalism and commitment to widening opportunities for future graduates. We were incredibly proud to see his contributions recognised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Outstanding Student Satisfaction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another major highlight has been our excellent NSS results. Released last week, we are delighted to find ourselves ranked 7th in the UK for satisfaction with Learning Opportunities and 8th in the UK for satisfaction with teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student feedback continues to demonstrate the strength of our learning community, the dedication of our academic staff and the quality of the student experience within Politics and International Relations. These results reflect the collective efforts of staff and students alike and give us confidence as we continue to develop and improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ending the Year Together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, the year concluded with our end-of-year celebration, bringing together staff and final year students to recognise achievements, share memories and reflect on everything we have accomplished together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, what stands out most is not any single event but the extraordinary energy that has characterised the year. Whether redesigning programmes, presenting research, organising trips, hosting simulations, supporting careers, celebrating success or simply helping students overcome challenges, colleagues across the department have worked tirelessly to create opportunities for our students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To everyone who has contributed to another remarkable year\u2014students, staff, alumni and partners\u2014thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We look forward to building on this momentum and seeing what the next year will bring. The future of Politics and International Relations at CCCU looks brighter than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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