Global Political Sociology

Researchers in the Global Political Sociology (GPS) group study contemporary political dynamics across the globe to better in terms of both formal and informal institutions governance. We use interdisciplinary approaches to understand politics of the present and the past. Research themes include state-society relations such as political mobilization, transnational networks and media, security, borders, transitional justice, and charismatic leadership. Group members are engaged in international research projects on economic hubs in Somalia; Syrian transnational political culture; state-building and state-less-society relations in Palestine; Indian Ocean networks of free and unfree labour; religion, regulation and consumption in the context of global Islam and Hinduism; the politics of gender in Africa; land rights and investment in Africa; contentious politics; transitional justice; and fragile states in East Africa.

The aim of the group is to develop the skills of members by sharing work and engaging in critical dialogue about theoretical trends and currents. It is the group’s ambition to position global political sociology at Roskilde University to the outside world by publicizing lectures and inviting guest speakers from time to time.

We believe the scope of research interests in GPS reflect the strength of international research at RUC, which should be highlighted and supported to provide answers to urgent global challenges; develop its interdisciplinary range; get better support for research applications through collaboration with other universities, and establish a joint Bruxelles lobby.