A collaboration between the ANU School of Politics and International Relations, and, the Department of Political & Social Change convened by April Biccum and Nick Cheesman to promote interpretive political and social scientific research through undergraduate and graduate student training, workshops, seminars, publications, podcasts, and cohort building. 

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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Interpretive Methods Research Group panels at APSA 2025

The Interpretive Methods Research Group invites submissions of research paper abstracts for its special organised panels at the 2025 Australian Political Studies Association annual conference in Melbourne on November 24-27. Submissions can relate to any aspect of the design, conduct or instruction of interpretive research methodologies and methods in political science, international relations and public policy, in Australia or abroad.

Research students and early career researchers whose submissions are accepted to panels organised by the Group will be invited to join a workshop on interpretive research methods run in parallel with the conference. They may be eligible for a strictly limited number of supplementary travel bursaries, with the support of a Strategic Teaching and Learning Grant from the Australian National University.

To submit an abstract, follow the instructions provided on the APSA website. When submitting the proposal be sure to select Interpretive Methods from the drop down menu under “Research stream”. In the field for “Roundtable or full panel” type Interpretive Methods Research Group.

The deadline for submissions is July 4.

Please address any questions to Nick Cheesman, nick.cheesman@anu.edu.au 

SPECIAL ISSUE

Doing Interpretive Political Science - in Australia

The Australian Journal of Political Science (59.4, 2025) has published a special issue edited by April Biccum and Nick Cheesman on the topic of doing interpretive political science - in Australia. In addition to the editors' contributions it includes articles by Jack Boswell, John Corbett and R.A.W. Rhodes; Severine van Bommel, Sarah Ball, and William A. Howe. All articles are open access.

WORKSHOP

Interpretive Methods for Trustworthy Political and Social Inquiry

THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED. A SECOND WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD IN PARALLEL WITH THE 2025 APSA CONFERENCE IN MELBOURNE. MORE DETAILS COMING SOON.

This two-day workshop for current research students and recent graduates in the political and social sciences will train participants in methods with which to produce trustworthy research on issues that matter for our political wellbeing and societal integrity. The workshop will be led in person at the campus of the Australian National University by April Biccum (ANU), Nick Cheesman (ANU), Stefanie Fishel, (University of the Sunshine Coast), Nicholas Rush Smith (City University of New York), Helen Sullivan (ANU) and, Cai Wilkinson (Deakin).

For more information please visit here.

SEMINARS

The IMC hosts a Seminar Series which promotes and celebrates work in interpretive and critical methodologies and methods in the social sciences. Seminars are on Fridays, 12 - 1pm, Australian Eastern Time (Standard/Daylight). For more information visit the series page.

PODCAST

Nick Cheesman talks with authors and editors of books on the epistemologies and methodologies of interpretive political and social science, and authors of exemplary interpretivist monographs; streaming through the New Books in Political Science channel.

New Books in Interpretive Political and Social Science

COURSES

The IMC also trains undergraduate, undergraduate honours and graduate students in interpretive methodologies and methods. Here are our current offerings. 

POLS2137 Meaning in Politics (Syllabus)

POLS4047 Interpretation, Method & Critique (Syllabus)

POLS8047 Interpretation, Method & Critique (Syllabus)

THE INTERPRETIVE METHODS RESEARCH GROUP

We have a new group! The Interpretive Methods Research Group is now a specialist group of the Australian Political Studies Association. To join, go here and click the button marked JOIN A SPECIALIST GROUP OR CAUCUS. (You need to be a member of APSA to do so.) More information on the group and its planned activities will be available soon.