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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 8h

It was a good day, full of great conversations and we will be ready to do it all again at the next Open Day on 7 November!

Five members of academic staff sit in a row on the edge of a stage, facing an audience (not visible in the photo). Behind them is a slide projected onto a big screen with the words Question Time panel in English and Welsh

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 8h

We also offered several events in the department throughout the day, including subject talks in English and Welsh, and a Question Time panel where visitors asked questions about topical political issues and received instant (and, of course, very well-informed) analysis.

Photo of a list of talks offered by the international politics department at Aberystwyth University, written in Welsh

List of talks offered by the international politics department at Aberystwyth University

A man stands on a stage, speaking to an audience sitting in rows of chairs.

Two university students wearing bright yellow Aberystwyth University t-shirts stand on a stage facing an audience sitting in rows of chairs

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 8h

On Saturday we welcomed visitors to the @aberuni.bsky.social Open Day. Academic staff and student ambassadors were based at the department's stand in MedRus, along with the other departments in the humanities faculty.

Colourful displays set up on two tables with a banner saying International Politics in English and Welsh

Seven university students wearing bright yellow Aberystwyth University t-shirts, together with a member of academic staff, stand around tables set up with displays about studying international politics

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Further, @terezacapelos.bsky.social identified possible pathways back from the cycle of envy, resentment and hatred. She then responded very thoughtfully to the many questions asked by staff, students and members of the local community who attended. 👏👏👏

A man and a woman sit on chairs on a stage, facing an audience that is not visible in the photo

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Last night @terezacapelos.bsky.social delivered a truly memorable EH Carr Memorial Lecture, sharing insights from her research into emotions and politics. Her fascinating talk focused on the dynamics that can turn grievance in a direction that undermines democracy.

A woman in a dark dress stands at a lectern, addressing an audience that is not visible in the photo

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Welcome Dr Oliver Dodd, a new ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department, working on "The International Political Economy of War and Peace in Colombia: Conflict Persistence and Negotiated Settlement". Oliver did his undergraduate degree here in the Department, so this is really a welcome back!

A smiling man with a beard and glasses, wearing a lanyard, stands in front of the International Politics building at Aberystwyth University

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The first year module Behind the Headlines got off to a great start yesterday, with our own Dr Gillian McFadyen as the first in the module's guest speaker series, offering thoughtful and thought-provoking comments on refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and the way that they are framed by UK media.

A young woman with dark hair and glasses sits on a table and speaks to a large group of students in a lecture theatre

A young woman with dark hair and glasses stands next to a slide with the definition of a refugee displayed on the wall behind her. She is speaking to a large group of students in a lecture theatre

Wide angle photograph of a young woman with dark hair standing and speaking to a large group of students in a lecture theatre

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Colin McInnes, Emeritus Professor in the Department and Research Lead for Academi Heddwch Cymru, spoke on ‘Wales as a Nation of Peace’ at a fringe event organised by @oxfamgb.bsky.social at the @plaidcymru.bsky.social Annual Conference in Llandudno over the weekend.

Five smiling people wearing bright yellow lanyards stand in front of a display titled "Small Nation Diplomacy: Wales on the World Stage"

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

📣 Join us for the 2026 EH Carr Memorial Lecture on 8 October to hear @terezacapelos.bsky.social from @unisouthampton.bsky.social on the dangers to democracy from the politics of grievance. This is a public lecture that is free and open to all, and one that is not to be missed. ⬇️

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The examiners praised Assala's thesis for demonstrating exceptional knowledge and considerable command of a complex and fascinating subject. The thesis was supervised by Jan Ruzicka and @jgmaber.bsky.social. Now Assala is off to start a Post Doctoral Fellowship at Oxford.

A smiling man and woman stand against a white wall, next to a colourful print. In the foreground a champagne bottle and glasses sit on a wooden table.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Congratulations to Assala Khettache, who passed her PhD viva yesterday. Her thesis, “When the Mercenary Plays the Liberator: Wagner Group and the Weaponisation of Collective Moral Injury in Africa”, was examined by Sarah Jenkins (University of Galway) and Professor Berit Bliesemann de Guevara.

Three smiling women stand against a white wall between two colourful prints.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Other events included a panel of third year students offering advice to freshers, and receptions for new undergraduate and postgraduate students. The week ended with a panel of academic staff commenting on a topical and thought-provoking question, in conversation with our students.

Four university students sit on a stage in front of a big screen with a question displayed on it about the benefit of summer placements

A poster advertises a roundtable on the question of "A More Equal World? Inequality in International Politics"

Four academic staff sit in a row behind a table on a stage, listening to one of them speaking to the audience (not visible in the photo)

A wide angle shot of a large room in an academic building, with students sitting in rows of chairs and a group of academic staff sitting in a row behind a table on the stage

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Last week was welcome week - the first week of the new academic year, and it was filled with welcome and welcome back events and meetings. These included prize givings for returning second and third year students for excellent work carried out last academic year.

A smiling woman stands on a stage next to a large screen where a poster advertising a roundtable discussion is displayed.

A smiling man stands next to a young woman, also smiling, who is holding a prize certificate

A smiling man stands next to two young men, also smiling, who are holding prize certificates

A smiling man stands next to a serious looking young man who is holding a prize certificate

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Emeritus Professor Colin McInnes spoke to the Rotary Club in London on the International Day of Peace (21 September) on the topic of ‘Reasons to be Cheerful: The Prospects for Peace’.

A man wearing glasses and a suit stands at a lectern, speaking into a microphone in an elegant historic building

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Congratulations to our colleague Dr Andrew Davenport, whose book, Capital and the International: On the Dialectic of Value and Sovereignty, is published today by Bristol University Press! 🎉🎉🎉

Cover of a book titled Capital and the International by Andrew Davenport

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Last weekend a macrame model made by Professor Berit Bliesemann de Guevara was part of an exhibition in London. The model, which reflects on the research process of the (Un-)Stitching Gazes project in Colombia) was included in the Textile Intersections exhibition at Imperial College London.

A colourful piece of macrame hangs in a doorway

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Llŷr's thesis was examined by Angharad Closs Stephens (Swansea University) and our own Anwen Elias. His thesis and the defence were thorough, thoughtful, well-argued, rigorous, engaging and original. Wonderful news for a wet Friday afternoon!

Three smiling people sit side by side. The one with the biggest smile has just passed his PhD viva. The other two are his examiners

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Many congratulations to Dr Llŷr ab Einion, the latest Interpol PhD student to pass his viva! His thesis, titled Grym a Chredoau mewn Cysylltiadau Rhynglywodraethol (Power and Beliefs in Intergovernmental Relations) was supervised by Elin Royles and Huw Lewis.

Three smiling people sit side by side. The one with the biggest smile has just passed his PhD viva. The other two are his supervisors

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Last week our Head of Department Dr Alistair Shepherd attended the annual conference of @uaces.bsky.social at Charles University in Prague, where he presented a paper titled "Twin Threats: European Strategic Autonomy and Strategic Culture in the Face of Trump and Putin" and chaired two panels.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dr. Umar also presented his postdoctoral research on transregionalism in world politics. Dr. Hannah Hughes and Dr. Lewis Birley acted as discussants, and around 36 participants attended the forum online.

Four people sit at a table, two of whom have laptops in front of them. The screen behind the is showing the face of a woman who is joining online, and a column on the screen shows the interactions with online participants.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

On 9 September our colleague Dr. Ahmad Umar organised a hybrid seminar about Indo-Pacific Research, with a focus on European transregional engagement. The speakers included Professor Poppy S. Winanti from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, who presented her paper on EU-Indonesia trade relations.

Three people sit at a table. Two of them have laptops open in front of them and there is a large screen on the wall behind that, that shows a column of comments from online participants

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our colleague Dr Anwen Elias was at the International Creative Research Methods Community Conference recently and enjoyed the novelty of finding arts and crafts materials on the tables as she and the other participants explored how creativity and play add value to research.

Craft materials are clustered on a black table, alongside a coffee cup and bottles of water

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Join our Marie Sklodowska Curie postdoctoral fellow Dr Ahmad Umar for a seminar on Europe in Indo-Pacific: The Politics of Transregionalism on Wednesday, 9 September from 11:30am UK time. It's free, hybrid and open to the public - just scan the QR code below to register.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Good luck to everyone receiving their #ALevel results tomorrow - if you are looking for a place in Clearing, the @aberuni.bsky.social clearing hotline will be open all day 📞 0800 121 4080 and there are places available on many degree programmes, including in International Politics 🌎

A group of smiling students sit talking in a room with dark red walls

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

On Monday at the National Eisteddfod "The New Electoral Landscape: Explaining the Welsh Senedd Election 2026 Result" featured Anwen Elias, co-lead of the 2026 Welsh Election Study in discussion with Jacob Morris(S4C/BBC) & Huw Lewis, with Elin Royles chairing, in front of a large & engaged audience.

Four people sit on a panel in a tent, addressing an audience

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 If you are at #Eisteddfod2026 today, please stop by the @aberuni.bsky.social stand for one of both of these talks ⬇️

Bilingual poster in Welsh and English, in the colours of the Welsh flag (red, white and green) advertising two events at the national eisteddfod offered by the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society on 3 August

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The national Eisteddfod begins on Monday, 3 August. Join experts from @aberuni.bsky.social Centre for Welsh Politics and Society (CWPS) to learn more about the Welsh Senedd election results, and for a discussion of protests and the Welsh language in Aberystwyth. Croeso i bawb!

A bilingual poster advertising two events at the National Eisteddfod organised by the Aberystwyth University Centre for Welsh Politics and Society, both taking place on 3 August. The first, at 10am, focuses on the Welsh Senedd elections and the second, at 4pm, is about protests and the Welsh language in Aberystwyth

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

.@guttmannaviva.bsky.social's book Operation Wrath of God has been chosen by Waterstone's as part of their summer sales offer. Pre-order your copy with 25% off, this week only, using the code SUMMER26 at the checkout. More information available here: www.waterstones.com/campaign/jul...

colourful poster advertising 25% off the book Operation Wrath of God

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Last month Dr Ahmad Umar, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, delivered an online guest lecture on "Global International Relations Theory" for IR undergraduate students at State Islamic University of Jakarta, Indonesia, introducing Islamic and Indonesian contributions to IR Theory

Poster advertising a webinar on Global International Relations Theories led by Dr Ahmad Rizky Umar from Aberystwyth University

Screenshot of a Powerpoint slide about Western dominance in IR theory

Screenshot of another Powerpoint slide highlighting Western dominance in IR theory

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr Emily Moss and Dr Shivani Singh, both of whom formally received their PhDs in this week's @aberuni.bsky.social graduation ceremonies! 🎉

Two young women in graduation caps and gowns stand facing university dignitaries in a graduation ceremony

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Snapshots from yesterday's @aberuni.bsky.social graduation of Interpol students - prizes are celebrated and a new graduate poses with a member of academic staff who has been particularly inspirational. 2/2

A young woman in a graduation gown receives a prize from a man in a suit as they shake hands

A new graduate in cap and gown, holding flowers and a Paddington Bear toy stands next to a smiling woman academic

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Some snapshots from yesterday's @aberuni.bsky.social graduation of Interpol students, including a new graduate and her mother, who is also an Interpol alumna! 1/2

A large sign saying 'congratulations' in English and Welsh, with a mortar board image

A group of graduates in their caps and gowns stand in the sunshine immediately after graduation, flanked by two members of academic staff

A new graduate in her cap and gown stands next to her proud mother

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Jacob Salmon, winner of the J. Elizabeth Morris Prize, for the finalist who has overcome particular issues 12/12 #AberGrad2026

A smiling young man stands on rocks next to a lake

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Elliot Li, winner of the J. Elizabeth Morris Prize, for the finalist who has academic excellence and contributed to departmental life (pictured here holding the red lantern as part of the department's Student Diversity Working Group) 11/12 #AberGrad2026

A group of smiling people holding colourful paper lanterns

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Ishmael Sayell, winner of the Military History Prize, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance in the International Relations and Military History degree scheme 10/12 #AberGrad2026

Closeup photo of a young man with dark hair and a quizzical look

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Hannah McVeigh, winner of the International Relations and Global Development Prize, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance in global development 9/12 #AberGrad2026

Closeup of a smiling young woman with long blonde hair

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Zachary Chalamet, joint winner of the International Politics Dissertation Prize, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance in the dissertation 8/12 #AberGrad2026

A young man stands on a sandy beach with a rocky cliff in the background

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Millie Finnigan, joint winner of the International Politics Dissertation Prize, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance in the dissertation 7/12 #AberGrad2026

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Stefan Bridle, joint winner of the J. Mervin Williams Prize, for the best performance through the medium of Welsh 6/12 #AberGrad2026

A smiling young man wearing sunglasses stands on a rocky shore as the sun sets

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Nel Jones, joint winner of the J. Mervin Williams Prize, for the best performance through the medium of Welsh (pictured here in her role as student ambassador, with Dr Huw Lewis and fellow prize winner Stefan Bridle) 5/12 #AberGrad2026

Three people stand in the sunshine outside a university building. A man holds a small yellow brochure and on either side of him are smiling male and female students wearing bright yellow t shirts

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Leo Taylor-Hougham, winner of the Aberystwyth Papers Prize, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance 4/12 #AberGrad2026

A young man in a black t shirt smiles into the camera

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Lainie Kohr, winner of the Ken Robertson Prize in Intelligence Studies, for the finalist with the highest mark and best performance in intelligence studies 3/12 #AberGrad2026

A smiling young woman with blonde hair smiles into the camera

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Ruby Morse, winner of the Ivor Gowan Prize in Political Science, for the finalist with the best performance in a politics single or joint honours degree 2/12 #AberGrad2026

A smiling young woman with long dark hair stands in a doorway

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

🧵 It's graduation week at @aberuni.bsky.social - congratulations to all of our graduating students! We want to pay special tribute to our undergraduate prize winners, who have excelled in various ways while they have been with us 1/12 #AberGrad2026

Lavender blooms in the foreground, framing a modern university building in the distance

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

“Ethics of Linguistic Integration” is a 3-year research project funded by @leverhulme.ac.uk. Also presenting with them was @gwennanelin.bsky.social from @swanseauni.bsky.social, a member of the project team. More information about the project is available here: eli.qmul.ac.uk. 2/2

A woman stands at a lectern next to a large screen displaying a Powerpoint slide, speaking at an academic conference

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

🧵 Recently Dr Huw Lewis & Margo Martin, one of the department’s PhD students, contributed to the conference “Multidisciplinary Approaches in Language Policy and Planning,” held at @carleton.ca in Ottawa. Their presentations discussed aspects of the “Ethics of Linguistic Integration” project. 1/2

A man stands next to a large screen with a Powerpoint displayed on it, delivering a paper to an academic conference

A young woman stands at a lectern next to a large screen displaying a Powerpoint slide, speaking to an audience at an academic conference.

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

With the support of funding from @taithwales.bsky.social, our colleague @catrineds.bsky.social visited the University of Geneva as part of a project with @peternrees.bsky.social on care and solidarity in civil search and rescue in the Central Mediterranean.

A man and a woman, both smiling and wearing greyish blue baseball caps, stand in a marina looking into the camera

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

We offered talks about studying in the Department and a Question Time panel where visitors could ask academic staff about topical issues. We invited visitors to put a dot on the map to show where they had come from and we were impressed by how far some had travelled to see us! 2/2

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Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University @interpolaber.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

🧵 Saturday, 4 July was an @aberuni.bsky.social Open Day. Academic staff and our wonderful student ambassadors spoke to prospective students and their friends and family throughout the day. 1/2

Smiling student ambassadors wearing yellow Aberystwyth University t shirts gather behind a table full of information about studying international politics.

A crowd of visitors speak to student ambassadors in front of the International Politics stand at a University Open Day

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