Government and International Relations is one of the largest and one of the most research active groupings of scholars in political science, public policy and international studies in Australia. Research in the Department spans the discipline of political science with particular reference to international relations, international political economy, public policy and administration, comparative politics, political theory, Australian politics and more. The research interests and activities of members of the department on the website are a good indication of the department's strengths. Visit the staff webpage for more information.

Eight students graduate a year from an active group of forty, of whom about half are part-time. The study of Government and International Relations is a dynamic area, responding to contemporary developments affecting the governance of societies, from terrorism to public sector reform. The relentless globalisation of business and society means that no politics is purely local any more, since so many international events have domestic ramifications. So Australians are also affected by economic and political changes in Asia and Eastern Europe, and are facing similar policy challenges to those in Western Europe and North America.

Our areas of expertise cover many aspects of public policy and international relations - the state and economic structures; communist and post-communist systems; public management and policy analysis; political and social change; human rights; welfare policy; international political economy; media; parties and elections; and democratic theory.