The British International Studies Association (BISA) is a

learned society A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an discipline (academia), academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and s ...

that promotes the study of

international relations International relations (IR), sometimes referred to as international studies and international affairs, is the scientific study of interactions between sovereign states. In a broader sense, it concerns all activities between states—such as ...

and related subjects through teaching, research, and facilitation of contact between scholars. BISA has an international membership of over 1,500 members, with over 80 countries represented. Chair is Mark Webber (

University of Birmingham , mottoeng = Through efforts to heights , established = 1825 – Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery1836 – Birmingham Royal School of Medicine and Surgery1843 – Queen's College1875 – Mason Science College1898 – Mason Univers ...

). He succeeded Richard Whitman (

University of Kent , motto_lang = , mottoeng = Literal translation: 'Whom to serve is to reign'(Book of Common Prayer translation: 'whose service is perfect freedom')Graham Martin, ''From Vision to Reality: the Making of the University of Kent at Canterbury'' ...

), who served as chair until 2015. The national office is based at the University of Birmingham. BISA is a member society of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Foundation

In Jan 1974 an inaugural meeting was held at the 14th Bailey Conference on International Studies at the University of Surrey, and at that time, a draft interim constitution was agreed. The interim executive committee consisted of

Alastair Francis Buchan Alastair Francis Buchan, (9 September 1918 – 4 February 1976) was a leading writer on defence studies in the 1970s. Career The son of John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, Alastair Buchan was given the same forename as his father's brother, who h ...

(chairman), RJ Jones (secretary), Susan Strange (treasurer), PA Reynolds, G Goodwin, D Wrightman, CM Mason, T Taylor, A James and J Spence.

Publications

*''

Review of International Studies The ''Review of International Studies'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal on international relations published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the British International Studies Association. From 1975-1980, it was known as the ''Brit ...

'' *'' European Journal of International Security'' *The book series ''Cambridge Studies in International Relations'' in collaboration with

Cambridge University Press Cambridge University Press is the university press of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII of England, King Henry VIII in 1534, it is the oldest university press A university press is an academic publishing hou ...

Annual prizes

BISA awards the following prizes at its annual international conference: * Distinguished Contribution Prize * Michael Nicholson Thesis Prize * Susan Strange Book Prize * PG BISA Teaching Excellence Prize * BISA Teaching Excellence Prize * Best Article in ''Review of International Studies''

Working groups

Working groups are formed by members to enable collaboration and networking in specific subfields. There are currently about 30 groups focusing on specific areas of study and collaboration.

Funding

The association makes available funding via a variety of routes, working group funding, conference bursaries, founders fund awards, postgraduate network funding etc. Introduced in 2015, BISA also offers funding for Early Career Researchers’ projects with grants of up to £3,000.

External links

* {{authority control International relations Learned societies of the United Kingdom 1974 establishments in the United Kingdom Social sciences organizations Organisations based in Birmingham, West Midlands University of Birmingham