Birkbeck has recently launched the Centre for the Study of Internationalism, which aims to bring together a community of researchers from different academic disciplines with an interest in internationalism.
‘Internationalism’ can refer to a number of very different ideas and practices: the search for intergovernmental agreements and conventions; the practice of international assembly; the projection of national agendas across the globe; the transfer of ideas, resources or people across national boundaries. By developing a broad approach the Centre for the Study of Internationalism seeks to examine internationalism from a range of viewpoints, delving deeply into its impact on various aspects of society in the past and present, and considering the future of international cooperation and the role of nation-states.
In doing so, the Centre brings together academics from across disciplines, providing an intellectual home for researchers at all stages in their careers who are interested in internationalism, broadly conceived. As the Centre’s Director, Dr Jessica Reinisch, has noted, “I’m thrilled that there has been so much interest in this Centre, both at Birkbeck and beyond. Making different academic fields talk to each other can be really difficult, but there seems to be a genuine desire to do so as far as internationalism is concerned.”
Birkbeck has long been cultivating its international links. Indeed, in 2017, Birkbeck had significant alumni communities in over twenty three countries across the globe. Birkbeck’s academic and support staff is similarly diverse. The new research centre devoted to the study of internationalism makes these international links one of its object of study.
The Centre’s research horizons are continuously expanding, and it provides a vitally needed space for study and debate. As part of this, the Centre will organise workshops, seminars and events, coordinate a lively blog to promote its research, and host external funders’ grant applications for relevant projects. Birkbeck alumni are welcome to attend the Centre’s events, or alternatively they can engage with the Centre’s work through the Centre’s podcast channel (to be launched later this month on Birkbeck’s Soundcloud and iTunes platforms) or follow the Centre on Twitter and Facebook.
| By Siobhan Morris, Manager of the Centre for the Study of Internationalism.
Image caption: First International Conference on Oral Polio Vaccine at PAHO headquarters in Washington, 1959. (Credit: Photograph by Cameramen Incorporated. Sabin Archives)
As an alumnus and supporter of Birkbeck both personally and through the Worshipful Company of World Traders, of which I am IPM, who have a joint seminar with Birkbeck (Prof To lending), I am delighted at this initiative
I am on the Bureau of Liberal International and head the Federal International Relations Committee of the LibDems, and a member of their Parliamentary International Affairs Team. I was until last year a Council Member of Chatham House
As a fellow alumnus and supporter, I too am delighted to see this initiative. I am very interested in the relevance of my field, cross cultural management, in broader contexts. How, for example, might understandings of cultural diversity promote better outcomes? how can intercultural interactions be improved? how can multicultural teams operate successfully? And underlying all these questions, what exactly is ‘culture’, and why does it matter…
I’m very much looking forward to following the work of the Centre.