PAIS MA Dissertation Conference article

 Published on 11.6.25

The MA Dissertation Conference Organising Committee (l to r); Jagritee Senapati, Gauri Sareen, Maitri Dharmendra Lalai, Sima Mangal, Daryn Amangeldiyev, Casie Osborne, Tom Geeson, Tom Whelan

PAIS MA Students Host Dynamic Conference on Global Politics and Contemporary Challenges

A new generation of scholars took centre stage last week as MA students from the Department of Politics and International Studies organised and hosted a vibrant two-day conference exploring some of the most pressing issues in global politics.

Held on campus on 3^rd and 4^th June 2025, the PAIS MA Dissertation Conference brought together students, faculty, and external guests for critical discussion, debate, and knowledge exchange. The conference marked a significant academic milestone for the MA cohort, who took the lead in shaping the programme, inviting speakers, and facilitating panels.

Sessions included presentations by MA students on their work which ranged from anti-capitalist critiques of community-supported agriculture, theoretical discussions about the state’s responsibility to community traditions as well as considering how animals can act as agents in international relations. Students also discussed issues relating to a range of specific countries including Moldova, Japan, China, the UK, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia and Malaysia. These topics, and others, reflected the intellectual diversity and critical thinking that define the department’s postgraduate community.

PAIS staff led workshops and panel discussions on a variety of topics including race and post-colonialism in international relations, fascism in contemporary politics and the impact of AI in modern politics. There was also a focus on skills and employability with a careers panel featuring PAIS alumni, empirical and theoretical workshops led by academic staff and a panel on PhDs.

On top of this the conference also featured a fun ‘Pub Quiz’ at the end of the first day and a celebratory barbeque to round the conference off with good food, drinks and conversation reflecting on a very successful conference.

Professor Philippe Blanchard, Director of Graduate Studies, who supervised the student-led initiative, praised the organisers for their initiative and professionalism:

“It’s inspiring to see our MA students take ownership of such an ambitious academic event. They’ve demonstrated a remarkable ability to engage with complex global issues while creating an inclusive and thoughtful forum for discussion with students and academic staff.”

Maitri Dharmendra Lalai, MA in International Security and co-chair of the organising committee for the conference said:

“The MA Dissertation Conference was an invaluable opportunity to refine my own skills in communication, organisation, and management. Over the two days, I interacted with several motivated students and supportive faculty from the PAIS department. It was an honour to work with the organising team and departmental advisors. Such events showcase the exceptional calibre of PAIS students and highlight the multitude of opportunities to showcase one's excellence at Warwick."

Sima Mangal, MA in International Relations and co-chair of the organising committee for the conference said:

“Co-leading the PAIS MA Dissertation Conference stands out as one of the most rewarding experiences of my postgraduate studies. From organising careers panels and academic workshops to engaging in close collaboration with both faculty and peers, it offered a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the cultivation of an intellectually vibrant and inclusive academic space. The experience significantly enhanced my skills in leadership, teamwork, strategic planning, and professional communication. I remain deeply grateful to the exceptional team of students and the dedicated departmental staff whose support was instrumental to the success of the conference. Opportunities such as this are a testament to how the University of Warwick empowers its students to lead with purpose, take ownership of their academic journey, and actively shape the wider learning community.”

With strong attendance and enthusiastic engagement, the MA Dissertation Conference has become a feature of the postgraduate programme in PAIS for the last three years and offers a unique opportunity for our postgraduate community to engage with their peers and academic staff and develop their skills.

For more information about the MA programmes in Politics and International Studies, visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/prospectivestudents/postgraduate/pgt