Carnegie Mellon University

Don't just learn from research.
Learn to conduct it.

Research is an integral part of studying international relations, politics, and foreign affairs. In addition to research done in the regular course of study, the Institute for Politics and Strategy offers additional opportunities to conduct and publish research. 

Selected Research

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The Rush to Personalize: Power Concentration after Failed Coups in Dictatorships, March 9, 2023 

How do failed coups influence power personalization in dictatorships? In this article in the British Journal of Political Science, IPS Professor John Chin, Joan C. Timoneda, and Abel Escribà-Folch show that significant increases in personalization by dictators occur after a failed coup attempt.

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The Ties that Bind: Immigration and the Global Political Economy, February 9, 2023

In their new book, The Ties that Bind: Immigration and the Global Political Economy, published February 9, 2023, IPS Postdoctoral Fellow Benjamin Helms and David Leblang of the University of Virginia explore this multifaceted question by drawing from the fields of politics, economics, sociology. For more about this work, read Exploring the dynamics, patterns, and consequences of global migration with Benjamin Helms.

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When Do First Ladies Run for Office? Lessons from Latin America, July 26, 2022

Despite the growing importance of this unique type of candidate, political analysts routinely describe them as mere delegates of ex-presidents. IPS Professor Ignacio Arana and co-author Carolina Guerrero Valencia argue in Latin American Politics and Society that this view has overlooked the political trajectory of former first ladies, and they claim that women with elected political experience should be regarded as politicians who use the ceremonial role of first lady as a platform to enhance their careers.

Additional Resources

Dietrich College Senior Honors Program

Through the Dietrich College Senior Honors Program students complete an honors thesis and graduate with College Honors. For more information contact Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Joseph Devine.

Dietrich Honors Fellowship

Fellows spend the summer before their senior year undertaking early-stage research and development of their thesis topics, leading to completion of their thesis by the end of the spring term. For more information contact Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Joseph Devine.

Meeting of the Minds

An annual undergraduate research symposium organized by the Undergraduate Research Office each spring. All students engaged in undergraduate research are encouraged to apply. 

Research Training for Undergraduates

Through this academic course, qualified first- and second-year students have the opportunity to work directly with a Dietrich faculty member on an ongoing research project. For more information contact Deputy Director Emily Half.

SURA

The Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship (SURA) course awards tuition-free elective credit to first-year and sophomore undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon for existing faculty projects focused on undergraduate research or creative inquiry under the direction of a Carnegie Mellon faculty member.

SURG, SURF, ISURG

Small Undergraduate Research Grants (SURG), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), and International Small Undergraduate Research Grants (ISURG) are offered by Carnegie Mellon University's Undergraduate Research Office, these grants and fellowships provide funding for undergraduate students to pursue research in any discipline.