October 15th, 11:00 – 12:30 EST / 15:00 – 16:30 CEST / 20:30 – 22:00 IST.
Navigating the Publishing Journey for Students and Emerging Scholars, by Dr Anya Kuteleva, Editor-in-Chief of Politikon: the IAPSS Journal of Political Science & Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.

• This session will NOT be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, October 14th at 20:00 CEST.
• Registration form. 
• This session is offered in cooperation with Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science.

October 22nd, 11:00 – 12:00 EST / 17:00 – 18:00 CEST / 20:30 – 21:30 IST.
Research Methods Module 1: Introduction to Research Methods, by Laila Abo El-Enein, Political Theory Student Research Committee Member, Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Nermien Ismail American School & M.Sc. Political Science Candidate, The British University in Egypt.

• This session WILL be recorded.
• This session is part of the Research Methods series (6 modules).
• Further information on the session.
• Registration deadline: Saturday, October 22nd at 20:00 CEST.
• Registration form.

October 29th, 12:00 EDT / 17:00 CET / 21:30 IST. 
Assessing Sources: Constructing the Elements of Research, by João Ramos, Crisis Observatory Think Tank Coordinator & Editor at Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science. PhD Candidate at the University of São Paulo.

• This session WILL be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, October 28th at 20:00 CEST.

• Registration form

November 5th, at 6:00 EST / 12:00 CET / 15:30 IST
The Power of Storytelling: Crafting Compelling Narratives in Academic Presentations, by Anne-Marie Pazskowska, IAPSS Treasurer & M.Sc. in Political Science.

• This session WILL be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, November 4th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.

November 12th at 10:00 – 11:00 EST / 16:00 – 17:00 CET / 20:30 – 21:30 IST
Top Ten Academic English Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, by Lisa Carroll, Chair, Political Theory Student Research Committee & M.Sc. Sustainability Studies Candidate, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

• This session WILL be recorded.

• Further information on the session.
• Registration deadline: Saturday, November 11th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form. 

November 19th: NO WORKSHOP 

November 26th, 11:00 EST / 17:00 CET / 21:30 IST

Research Methods Module 2: Research Designs and Theoretical Frameworks, by Laila Abo El-Enein, Political Theory Student Research Committee Member, Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Nermien Ismail American School & M.Sc. Political Science Candidate, The British University in Egypt. 

• This session WILL be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, November 25th at 20:00 CET.

• Registration form.

December 3rd, 09:00 – 10:30 EST / 15:00 – 16:30 CET / 19:30 – 21:00 IST

Preparing a Successful Submission and Mastering Manuscript Revisions, by Dr Anya Kuteleva, Editor-in-Chief of Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science & Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, UK.

• This session will NOT be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, December 2nd at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.
• This session is offered in cooperation with Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science.

December 10th, 10:00 – 11:00 CET / 14:30 – 15:30 IST / 17:00 – 18:00 CST

Research Notes: Staking your Claim, by Ronald M. Castillo, Editor-in-Chief of A Different View, the IAPSS Academic Blog & Ph.D. Asia Pacific Studies Candidate at National Chengchi University, Taiwan.

• This session WILL be recorded.

• Further information on the session.

• Registration deadline: Saturday, December 9th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.

December 17th, 11:00 – 12:00 EST/ 17:00 – 18:00 CET /21:30 – 22:30 IST
Research Methods Module 3: Data Collection and Analysis in Qualitative Research, by Laila Abo El-Enein, Political Theory Student Research Committee Member, Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Nermien Ismail American School & M.Sc. Political Science Candidate, The British University in Egypt.

• This session WILL be recorded.
• This session is part of the Research Methods series (6 modules).
• Further information on the session.
• Registration deadline: Saturday, December 16th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.

December 24th: NO WORKSHOP – CHRISTMAS EVE

December 31st: NO WORKSHOP – NEW YEAR’S EVE

February 18th, 11:00 – 12:00 EST/ 17:00 – 18:00 CET/ 21:30 – 22:30 IST
Research Methods Module 4: Research Proposal Design and Presentation, by Laila Abo El-Enein, Political Theory Student Research Committee Member, Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Nermien Ismail American School & M.Sc. Political Science Candidate, The British University in Egypt.

• This session WILL be recorded.
• This session is part of the Research Methods series (6 modules).
• Further information on the session.
• Registration deadline: Saturday, February 17th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.

February 25th, 11:00 – 12:00 EST/ 17:00 – 18:00 CET/ 21:30 – 22:30 IST
Research Methods Module 5: Qualitative Data Analysis and Findings, by Laila Abo El-Enein, Political Theory Student Research Committee Member, Associate Academic Dean, Dr. Nermien Ismail American School & M.Sc. Political Science Candidate, The British University in Egypt.

• This session WILL be recorded.
• This session is part of the Research Methods series (6 modules).
• Further information on the session.
• Registration deadline: Saturday, February 24th at 20:00 CET.
• Registration form.

The Realist Lens: A Critical Deep Dive into Global Power Politics

From its ancient philosophical roots to its modern structural, neoclassical, and heterodox forms realism remains the most enduring framework for understanding global power politics. This course offers a comprehensive and critical exploration of the realist tradition, empowering participants to master the logic that drives state behavior in an increasingly complex world.

This course is offered through the Political Theory Student Research Committee in collaboration with the ARChive: Academic Research and Communication Hive project of the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS).

Course Overview

• Duration: 10 Weeks (Starting March 1st)
• Format: Online / Synchronous (10 x 3-hour seminars)
• Class Size: Small group interaction (Limited to about 20 participants)
• Cost: Tuition subsidised by IAPSS
• Certification: Certificate of completion awarded upon meeting requirements

Schedule

Starting March 1st, every Saturday:

14:00 CET (Brussels) – Primary Reference Time

08:00 EST (Montréal)

18:30 IST (New Delhi)

21:00 CST (Beijing)

Important note on time changes: Please note that in the event of seasonal clock changes (March 8th & March 29), the start time will remain 14:00 Brussels time, which may result in a shift for participants joining from other time zones.

Why Enroll?

Realism is the framework utilised by practitioners in defense, diplomacy, and intelligence. By joining this seminar, you will gain a competitive advantage through:

• Strategic Foresight: Anticipate future geopolitical trends based on structural incentives.
• Actionable Analysis: Translate theoretical models into concise policy recommendations.
• Intellectual Depth: Deep-dive into the “Realist Periphery,” including Realist Constructivism and the English School.

Curriculum & Weekly Modules

Each week, participants will engage with 3-4 mandatory readings and a curated selection of supplementary texts.

• Realism as a Tradition: Genealogy and the “Great Debates”.
• Classical Realism I: Foundations.
• Classical Realism II: Contemporary Classical Realism.
• Structural Realism I: Systemic architecture, anarchy, and sovereignty.
• Structural Realism II: Defensive vs. Offensive Realism and Balance of Power.
• Neoclassical Realism I: Integrating systemic pressures with unit-level variables.
• Neoclassical Realism II: Critiques and the problem of history.
• The Realist Periphery: Realist Constructivism and Liberal Realism.
• Criticisms of Realism: Gender, Global South perspectives, and the Anthropocene.
• Course Culmination: The Oxford-style Debate.

Coursework & Requirements

This course operates on a Pass/Fail basis. To receive a certificate of completion, participants must fulfill the following:

• Attendance: Minimum 80% attendance with active participation.
• Presentation: One 15-minute summary and critique of a selected course reading (assigned in Week 1).
• Article/Book Review: One critical review (max 2000 words) submitted by Week 9.
• Oxford-style Debate: Participation in a team-based formal debate during the final week to demonstrate theoretical dexterity.
• Optional Essay: For those seeking detailed feedback, a 5000-word essay applying a realist branch to a contemporary issue may be submitted by Week 12.

Note on GenAI: We encourage participants to think outside the “perfect essay” box. While we do not use AI detectors, we invite you to use this ungraded space to freely express your original thoughts and academic voice.

Who Should Apply?

This course is designed for individuals with a foundational knowledge of IR theory:

Advanced Undergraduates (Year 3 & 4): Seeking depth in security studies.

Master’s Students: Strengthening theoretical frameworks for thesis work.

PhD Candidates: Requiring a rigorous review of realist debates.

How to Apply

Deadline: February 8, 2026

Please submit via this form: Academic CV & Short Cover Letter (500 words): Detailing your interest and how this course connects to your research or career goals.

Questions? Contact supcom1@iapss.org.