For one weekend in November, students, professors, and researchers from the Department of International Relations at LSE gathered at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor for the annual conference, titled “Navigating the Future of International Relations”. Situated in the picturesque Windsor Great Park, this historic venue has long served as a space for open dialogue since its founding in 1947. With its wooden walls, ornate wallpaper, burgundy carpets, and portraits of royalty adorning the halls, Cumberland Lodge offered an academic retreat from the city. Over the weekend, questions of all scopes and scales were raised, thoughtfully explored, and meaningfully addressed, providing insights into the evolving landscape of International Relations (IR) through both academic rigor and moments of personal reflection.
Views from Cumberland Lodge
Learning from Scholars
The weekend began on Friday afternoon as 84 postgraduate students departed from LSE and made their way to Windsor through the crisp November air. Upon arrival at Cumberland Lodge, participants were welcomed in the inviting halls with drinks and dinner, followed by a warm introduction to the Lodge. The first panel of the weekend, “International Relations Career Paths and Future Outlooks”, featured Professor Jeffrey Chwieroth, Professor Tomila Lankina, and Professor Jens Meierhenrich, and was moderated by Dr Boram Lee. The discussion started with the speakers’ career journeys, motivation, and what led them to teaching at LSE. They reflected on why they chose academia, offered advice for students considering PhDs, and discussed the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in research.
When asked why they chose to pursue a PhD, all three panellists emphasised their drive to explore the complexities of the world. Professor Meierhenrich stressed that “International Relations is a lens to other disciplines, not inward-looking”. Each panellist acknowledged the challenges of academic life, particularly the need for resilience in the face of failure and rejection. They encouraged students to follow their intellectual curiosity and not be swayed by external pressures. As the day wound down, conversations lingered long after the panel into the evening over drinks, laughter, and lively debates, setting a friendly tone for the weekend ahead.
L to R: Professor Jens Meierhenrich, Professor Tomila Lankina, Professor Jeffrey Chwieroth, and Dr Boram Lee (moderator)
Developments in IR Research
After a successful first day at the lodge, many students kicked off the Saturday with a lovely walk around the Great Park, enjoying nature and the escape from buzzing London. Later, the first panel on Saturday looked into the key developments in IR research and the ever-evolving landscape of the field. Dr Federica Bicchi, Dr Katharine Millar, and Professor Peter Wilson engaged in a lively discussion moderated by Dr Spyros Economides, exploring how technological advancements, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), are reshaping the study of International Relations. Dr Millar emphasised the growing importance of viewing issues through a temporal lens. Professor Wilson noted that developments in IR often reflect shifts in power and cultural pluralism, while Dr Bicchi offered a thought-provoking conclusion on the relationship between AI and research: “Answers are a way of closing a debate where instead, the most democratic way is to keep asking questions.” This mindset of continuous enquiry and critical thinking was a recurring theme throughout the weekend.
Answers are a way of closing a debate where instead, the most democratic way is to keep asking questions.
Saturday afternoon stroll from Cumberland Lodge to Windsor Castle
Bridging Theory and Practice
The Bridging International Relations and Current Events panel addressed the tension between the slow pace of academic research and the urgent nature of global events. Dr Economides, Professor Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, and Dr Giulia Sciorati discussed the pressing challenges humanity faces today, from climate change to geopolitical instability. Dr Economides encouraged students to use current events as a springboard for deeper, more comprehensive research. Professor Koenig-Archibugi added that events like the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for responsive, adaptive research that can meet the demands of an ever-changing world. This conversation bridged the gap between theory and practice, reminding students that while current events may inspire new questions, academia should remain a space for independent thought and rigorous analysis.
After this second morning panel, students enjoyed free time, taking a walk to Windsor Castle, spotting some deer, and reflecting on the insights shared during the earlier panels.
Exploring Research Topics
Saturday afternoon ended with a panel on Developing Research Topics and Managing IR Projects, moderated by Dr Noah Zucker, where Dr Ida Roland Birkvad, Dr Shikha Dilawri, Professor Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, and Dr Giulia Sciorati offered invaluable advice on navigating the early stages of academic research. Dr Sciorati emphasised that the beginning of a research project is often “messy,” and students should embrace the iterative nature of research, constantly refining their ideas in response to new insights and evidence. Dr Dilawri encouraged students to find a balance between societal relevance and existing gaps in the literature, while Dr Birkvad reminded them to be open to serendipitous discoveries that can spark new research paths. Dr Zucker advised students to remain flexible in their approach, allowing research questions to develop organically through exposure to both current events and scholarly literature.
As students asked questions about handling conflicting literature and addressing biases, the panellists stressed the importance of self-awareness and methodological rigor in shaping research. They reinforced that academia is not about presenting opinions, but about finding well-supported explanations and contributing to a broader conversation. Dr Sciorati summed up the discussion by saying that we should embrace the nature of our field, namely that “International Relations is a discipline that is about finding alternative explanations.”
International Relations is a discipline that is about finding alternative explanations.
After a day filled with discussions and new ideas, the evening ended on a fun note with a quiz hosted by Student Experience Manager Amanda Schultz, followed by a cosy evening spent with fellow students in the historic rooms of the lodge.
The weekend ended on Sunday with a Dissertation Brainstorming session with Professor Robert Falkner, Dr Boram Lee, Dr Noah Zucker, Katherine Pye, Hadrien Saperstein, where students had the opportunity to discuss their thesis ideas with professors and peers, receiving guidance on how to refine and navigate their research paths.
Group photo in front of Cumberland Lodge
Reflecting on the weekend, the overarching message for students was clear: International Relations is not just about understanding the world—it’s about questioning it. The conference underscored the need for resilience, curiosity, and critical thinking in academia. It was a pleasure learning from scholars and also connecting with fellow students from the IR department. The weekend had been more than just an academic conference; it was an opportunity to reconnect with the roots of the discipline, to share ideas, and to reflect on the future of International Relations.
In the end, what truly stood out was the sense of community—the way conversations continued in the halls, the informal exchanges between students and professors, and the shared enthusiasm for intellectual discovery. The weekend at Cumberland Lodge reminded us that while we may be navigating complex, global challenges in IR, the pursuit of knowledge is a deeply personal endeavour that thrives best within a community of dialogue.
Blog post and photos by Yasmine Naami, MSc International Political Economy