Doctoral study in Politics and International Relations
Why study with us?
We were placed in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.
As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.
Research opportunities
You will be supervised by our researchers and have access to a range of resources to assist you in your academic and professional development.
We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:
- Chinese international relations
- Civilian casualties
- Climate and energy policy
- Comparative public policy
- Contemporary Chinese politics (particularly popular resistance and political economy) and foreign policy
- Contemporary political theory
- Democratisation and human rights
- Environmental politics
- Ethics and war
- Extremism
- Foreign policies
- Gender and war
- Gender politics and public policy
- History of political thought
- Human rights
- Justice and rectification
- Media/political communication
- Multiculturalism and identity politics
- Nationalism (theory and politics)
- New Zealand and comparative politics and policy
- New Zealand and regional foreign relations
- Political communication
- Political leadership
- Political management
- Political marketing
- Political theory and public health
- Politics and media
- Politics of law
- Politics of water
- Public engagement
- Transnational advocacy/global civil society and politics of foreign aid
- US politics
- Violent conflict
- Weapons and war
Our people
We have particular expertise in international relations, political theory, New Zealand and comparative politics, political marketing, conflict and terrorism, and public policy.
Past research topics
- "City-to-city cooperation in China: Its formation and mechanisms" | Supervised by Dr Stephen Noakes and Professor Gerald Chan
- "The cost of voting: Barriers to voting among young, low-socioeconomic and migrant voters in New Zealand and Sweden" | Supervised by Professor Jennifer Curtin
- "The Pakistan Taliban in tribal areas" | Supervised by Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley and Dr Chris Wilson
- "Explaining rebellion in a weak state: A case study of Pakistan's federally administered tribal areas" | Supervised by Dr Chris Wilson and Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley
- "The theory of recognition and multiculturalism politics in Colombia and New Zealand" | Supervised by Associate Professor Katherine Smits and Dr Stephen Winter
- "Economic development of micro-states in Europe and the Pacific" | Supervised by Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley
Scholarships and awards
There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Politics and International Relations:
- University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
- Faculty of Arts Doctoral Scholarship
- Jonathan Hunt Postgraduate Scholarship
- Bill McAra Scholarship in Politics and International Relations
Help and advice
Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs.
If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our PhD Adviser.