We’re very pleased to report that colleagues from Politics and International Relations won distinguished awards at the UK Political Studies Association (PSA) annual conference in Oxford last month.

Professor Elizabeth Evans’ book written with Stefanie Reher, Disability and Political Representation, won the W.J.M. Mackenzie prize for the best book in the field of Political Studies.

Their book is the first study to focus on disability and political representation in the UK. The authors bring together perspectives from political science and disability studies, and draw upon methodologically diverse empirical data, much of it original. In so doing, they challenge dominant understandings of representation in theory and practice that marginalise and exclude disabled people. Written for both the generalist and specialist reader, their study avoids getting mired in definitional disputes and theoretical dead-ends. At its heart is an ethical stance which centres the experiences of disabled people and seeks to produce useful knowledge with real world implications for policy change, public understanding, and improvements to democratic politics.

Dr William Allen won the Joni Lovenduski prize for outstanding professional contributions to political studies by an early career scholar. Since completing his PhD, Dr Allen has demonstrated a wide and sustained record of professional contribution. This includes time as deputy editor of a journal, membership of UK Research and Innovation peer review colleges, conference and event organisation, and extensive mentoring.

Dr Donatella Bonansinga was one of the recipients for the PSA Specialist Group of the Year for her work with the PSA Italian Politics group, which stood out for exceptional commitment to collaboration across the PSA community, meaningful engagement with other specialist groups, and consistent support for early career scholars.

Share this article on social media: