Congratulations to Minjin Choi, winner of the 2026 SPIA Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award! Minjin was recognized for her exceptional teaching and contributions to student development.

Congratulations to Dr. Zimmermann, winner of the 2026 SPIA Excellence in Research Award! Dr. Zimmermann was recognized by the School of Public and International Affairs for "publishing some of the most cutting-edge research while positively influencing human well-being."

Congrats, Dr. Lee! 🎓

We don't talk enough about Reviewer #3. The one who is very nice and complimentary of your paper, then proceeds to micromanage it.

Congratulations to the newest Ph.D. from @ugaintl.bsky.social, Dr. Solbi Kim! She successfully defended her dissertation this week, with the support of committee members Shane Singh, Markus Crepaz and Alexa Bankert. Congrats, Dr. Kim!

Congratulations to Dr. Gallagher on receiving the Morehead/Bullock Outstanding Honors Faculty Award and to Dr. Saglam on receiving the Floyd C. Newton, Jr. Outstanding Honors Faculty Award. Both are recognized for their superior teaching, mentoring, and dedication to students!

Professor Shane Singh and his colleagues have a brand new article at Political Psychology: "Do emotions drive the link between winning and satisfaction with democracy? Leveraging the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and The Lion King" Check it out here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Welcome aboard! ⚓

Join us on February 27 for a guest lecture by Idean Salehyan of the University of North Texas. Titled “Politics and Protest in Contemporary Iran,” the talk will examine the roots and consequences of Iran’s recent unrest. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Punaro Room, fourth floor of Baldwin Hall

Professor Jeff Berejikian and co-authors have a new article at International Political Science Review: "The Causes and Consequences of Public Misperceptions About the Origins of the Russo-Ukrainian War" Read it here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

I'm sorry, but a 5,000 word peer review of a 7,000 word journal submission is totally inappropriate.

Meet our star students! Justin Cohen is a senior majoring in Political Science and International Affairs, and he has completed the Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program. In 2025, he was a delegate in the U.S. Congress-Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program.

Congrats, Nishat!

👏👏👏

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus Dr. Han S. Park. Dr. Park taught at UGA for 45 years and was the founding director of the Center for the Study of Global Issues (GLOBIS), where he played a pivotal role in Track II diplomacy.

When I go to Google News, there are no stories about the protests in Iran. Why is that?

The last time the U.S. women won an Olympic singles figure skating medal of any kind was in 2006. The last gold? 2002. But this year, the United States seems poised to end at least that first drought — which puts some weight on the selection for Milan.

Spoiler: expanding youth education on nuclear weapons is important.

Ph.D. student Yuge Wang and Professor Rongbin Han have a new study at the journal Governance! Authoritarian Elasticity: How Autocracies May Effectively Mobilize for Crisis Management onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Congratulations, Dr. Soyer!

Received an email from a prospective Ph.D. student: "Your research on [insert specific topic or paper related to their expertise] closely aligns with the theoretical direction and methodology of my proposed work." Finally recognized for my specific topic or paper related to my expertise!

The deadline for these positions has been extended! Applications submitted by DECEMBER 1 will receive full consideration.

Announcing the newest Ph.D. out of @ugaintl.bsky.social: Dr. Shannon Martin! Dr. Martin defended her dissertation and will continue her work as a professor at Southern Adventist University. Thanks to her committee @meganturnbull.bsky.social & Shane Singh for their guidance. Congrats, Dr. Martin!

International Affairs student (and Truman Scholar and ROTC cadet and all-around star) Mercedes Bengs is featured in UGA's Annual Report! Check out the profile here: par.uga.edu/profiles/mer...

We are proud to announce that the Department of International Affairs and the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security are home to the newest chapter of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management! INMM at UGA welcomes students from across campus interested in nuclear careers!

Meet our star students! Hannah Jones is a sophomore majoring in International Affairs and Political Science. On campus, she is an active student leader, serving as a tour guide with the UGA Visitors Center, a Student Government Peer Leader, a Propel Rural Scholar, and a SPIA Ambassador!

Join our growing and dynamic faculty! And let me know if you have any questions about these positions.

Some noteworthy events coming up in the next few days include Fall Break tomorrow, a football game of some consequence in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, and the clocks go back an hour at 2 am Sunday morning! Yes, we're still doing that.

Welcome to UGA's Department of International Affairs! A special message for our Students, Parents, Faculty, Alumni, Friends, and Visitors: spia.uga.edu/departments-...

Join us for a symposium recognizing the 25th anniversary of UNSCR1325 on "Women, Peace and Security", taking place on Friday, October 24 at UGA's Special Collections Library. The event will feature a discussion from 10:15 -11 AM with two SPIA alumni, Hannah Proctor and Katie Mann.

Very cool to see one of my studies (from @isq-jrnl.bsky.social) depicted graphically like this. Thanks to Ben Reese, Pat James and the whole team at the Visual International Relations Project (VIRP)! Check out all their great work at visualinternationalrelationsproject.com

Congrats to Dr. Saglam on her selection into the Fulbright Specialist Program! An initiative of the US Department of State, the Fulbright Specialist Program is a unique opportunity for US academics & established professionals to engage in project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe

Did you know that UGA’s Department of International Affairs is one of the only IR departments in the country staffed almost entirely by political scientists? Formerly part of the Poli Sci dept, we now bring a political science lens to the study of IR & comparative politics.

Today is a big day, and this year is a big year! To kick off SPIA's 25th Anniversary celebration, today is SPIA Giving Day. We hope you will support this amazing institution. You can even purchase a brick, with your custom inscription! Go Dawgs! give.uga.edu/funders/spia...

Join us on Sept 4 at 5pm at Creature Comforts Brewery (271 W. Hancock Ave, Athens) for a discussion about Refugee Resettlement as part of their "Get Comfortable" Community Impact Series.

FWIW, this is the best place I've ever worked. I'm happy to answer any questions if you're interested!

Very timely insights on the future of advanced nuclear technologies, and what it means for nonproliferation efforts. Check out the new report from the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security: spia.uga.edu/wp-content/u...

GLOBIS at UGA is great place to work!

We are proud to announce that the Center for International Trade and Security is now the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security. We are excited for this new chapter and we are grateful to the Ed & Robin Benson Foundation for their generous support!

Great article that spotlights many of the cool things we are doing at CITS! news.uga.edu/professor-ad...

SPIA is turning 25! We are asking for nominations for two awards that will be presented during next year's celebration: Distinguished Public Service Award Alumni Impact Awards Please submit your nominations here: spia.uga.edu/about/events...

I'm grateful to work at such an incredible institution, with the best colleagues and students I could ask for!

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Justin Conrad will assume the role of Department Head beginning August 1, 2025. Dr. Conrad has been a valued member of UGA since 2019 and currently serves as the Gary K. Bertsch Director of the Center for International Trade and Security.

BIG NEWS! I am pleased to present the newest Ph.D. at CITS, UGA SPIA and @ugaintl.bsky.social: Dr. Jackson Tilley! (committee: @naomiegel.bsky.social and @rmpowers.bsky.social) Dr. Tilley defended his excellent dissertation and begins a new position with the US government. Congrats, Dr. Tilley!

Interstate war potential between Ethiopia and Eritrea www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/...

This week I received the highest honor that a professor can receive. A student told me that my class helped him land the job he wanted. I can now retire.

Fierce protests after Turkish President Erdogan's main rival Imamoglu jailed www.bbc.com/news/article...

ICYMI: My latest for @wpr.bsky.social reflects on five years since the COVID19 shutdowns. I argue that the pandemic didn't change the world order. Instead, it reflection of the order, was produced by the order, and, at most, accelerated already existing trends