Political Science
We are one of the top-ranked programs for the study of political science and international relations in the region with a reputation for excellence in research and teaching.
Political Science at Melbourne
We are a large group of outstanding researchers and committed teachers working on a wide range of pressing contemporary and longstanding issues in political science.
We pride ourselves on our outward-looking, inclusive and collaborative culture where respectful engagement and lively debate is actively encouraged. By studying politics and international relations at Melbourne, you will develop an understanding of politics as a vibrant, plural and diverse field of study that manifests itself in a variety of different contexts from the local to the global.
We see ourselves as promoting global citizenship and awareness in all that we do with many of our students pursuing highly successful careers in politics, government, the public service, civil activism, diplomacy and international relations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Political science at Melbourne will expose you to the most compelling ideas about power, politics and policy at a time of rapid social and political change.
Associate Professor Paul Fawcett, Chair in Political Science
Explore our research areas
Our internationally recognised research informs and enriches our teaching programs and engagement activities, which explore key issues, ideas, institutions and actors in local, national and international politics.
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Australian politics
Australian politics speaks to issues around the country’s colonial past, historical alliances, its place in the Asia-Pacific, and confronting the challenges of climate change.
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Comparative Politics
Our research both compares different forms of national politics and pursues specialisation in specific nations and regions. These include comparative public policy, national systems and institutions, and defence and foreign policy.
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Indigenous politics
The School is home to the Indigenous Settler Relations Collaboration (ISRC), a multi-disciplinary research unit devoted to exploring the challenges that lie at the heart of relations between Indigenous and settler Australians.
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International relations
The School has a global reputation for its research in international relations and political economy. Our research is focused on a variety of contemporary challenges in domestic, regional and global politics, societies and economies.
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Political theory
Political theory research at Melbourne is diverse and pluralistic. Our research is grounded firmly in the generation of political ideas and concepts from the practice of politics.
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Public policy and governance
The School’s public policy and governance research is focused on understanding how public policy is made and implemented, and how governance conditions at local, national, regional and international levels are changing.
Study with us
Understand and explore the political, policy and social challenges of our time in Australia, the region and globally. Our programs prepare you for a career in diplomacy, government, business and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and beyond.
We teach at the undergraduate as well as the graduate coursework level into several professional programs that each offer a distinctive approach to the study of politics and the challenges of governance. We have an active cohort of graduate research students.
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Arts (Political and International Studies)
- Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours)(Political and International Studies)
Graduate coursework
- Graduate Certificate in Arts
- Graduate Diploma in Arts
- Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced)
- Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)
- Master of International Relations
- Master of Public Policy and Management
- Master of Public Administration
Graduate research
Meet our Political Science staff
Our Political Science staff are leading teachers and researchers in a range of areas including political theory, international relations, political economy, Australian politics, comparative politics, public policy, administration and management, contemporary social issues, and research methods.
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Dr Erik Baekkeskov
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
Phone: +61383444134
Email: erik.baekkeskov@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Lou Bennett
Westpac Research Fellow
Phone: +61383445869
Email: cindy.bennett@unimelb.edu.au -
Ms Eleanor Benson
Indigenous Settler Relations Collaboration (ISRC) Research Assistant
Phone: +61383441276
Email: eleanor.benson@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Mhamed Biygautane
Lecturer In Public Policy (Mecaf)
Phone: +61383444114
Email: mhamed.biygautane@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Michael Breen
Lecturer in Public Policy (MECAF)
Phone: +61383446586
Email: michael.breen@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Scott Brenton
Senior Lecturer in Politics
Phone: +61390358001
Email: sbrenton@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Clayton Chin
Senior Lecturer in Political Theory
Email: clayton.chin@unimelb.edu.au
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Professor Robyn Eckersley
Professor in Political Science
Phone: +61383443504
Email: r.eckersley@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Paul Fawcett
Associate Professor in Public Policy
Phone: +61383440526
Email: paul.fawcett@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Jenny Lewis
Professor of Public Policy
Phone: +61383445194
Email: jmlewis@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Adrian Little
Pro Vice Chancellor (International); Professor in Political Theory
Phone: +61383448969
Email: little@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Timothy Lynch
Professor in American Politics
Phone: +61390354059
Email: tlynch@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Kate MacDonald
ARC Future Fellow
Phone: +61383443442
Email: kmac@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Terry MacDonald
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Phone: +61390357690
Email: terry.macdonald@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Sarah Maddison
Professor in Political Science
Phone: +61383444552
Email: sarah.maddison@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Aaron Martin
Associate Professor In Political Science Research Methods
Phone: +61383446837
Email: aaron.martin@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Margherita Matera
Lecturer In Political Science (Mecaf)
Phone: +61383440347
Email: m.matera@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Daniel McCarthy
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
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Dr Jessica Megarry
Lecturer Political Science (Teaching Specialist) & Periodic Tutor in Political Science
Phone: +61390353434
Email: jessica.megarry@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Sara Meger
Lecturer in International Relations
Phone: +61390358287
Email: sara.meger@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Gosia Mikolajczak
ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Phone: +61390354987
Email: malgorzata.mikolajczak@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor John Murphy
Professor in Political Science
Email: john.murphy@unimelb.edu.au
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Associate Professor Sana Nakata
Associate Dean (Indigenous)
Phone: +61383446559
Email: snakata@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Evgeny Postnikov
Senior Lecturer In International Relations
Phone: +61383441279
Email: evgeny.postnikov@unimelb.edu.au -
Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
Email: lrose@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Pradeep Taneja
Lecturer in Asian Politics
Phone: +61383446585
Email: ptaneja@unimelb.edu.au -
Ms Tamara Tubakovic
Research Coordinator – Jean Monnet Erasmus+ Network
Phone: +61383445694
Email: ttubakovic@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Andrew Walter
Professor in International Relations
Phone: +61390359633
Email: andrew.walter@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Tamas Wells
Research Coordinator
Phone: +61390354628
Email: t.wells@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Carla Winston
Lecturer in International Relations
Phone: +61383444200
Email: carla.winston@unimelb.edu.au -
Professor Sally Young
Professor of Political Science
Phone: +61383446586
Email: s.young@unimelb.edu.au -
Mr Ali Reza Yunespour
Internships Coordinator
Phone: +61383445054
Email: alireza.yunespour@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Kate Williams
Lecturer in Public Policy
Phone: +61383443793
Email: kate.williams@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Melissa Johnston
Lecturer in Political Science (MECAF)
Phone: +61383443196
Email: johnston.m@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Elena Balcaite
Head Tutor in Political Science
Phone: +61383442721
Email: elena.balcaite@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Sarah Ball
POLS ARC Postdoc Fellow
Phone: +61383441181
Email: sarah.ball@unimelb.edu.au -
Dr Monica Tan
ARC Research Fellow
Phone: +61383441469
Email: xiao.tan@unimelb.edu.au