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University of London

Institute of Commonwealth Studies

The Institute, founded in 1949, is an integral part of the School of Advanced Study of the University of London. It was established by the University to encourage research in the field of Commonwealth Studies and has generally concentrated on the social sciences. More recently, the Institute’s area of expertise has turned towards such global issues as international human rights, development, globalization, international relations, and sustainable human security, with its forte being the Commonwealth(s) and global governance. It remains the only centre in the world to focus on the inter- & non-state Commonwealth(s). It offers an MA in Human Rights, now celebrating its tenth anniversary; a novel MSc in Globalization and Development; and MPhil/PhD programmes. It hosts the new Emeka Anyaoku Chair in Commonwealth Studies. It houses and collaborates with the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit and has myriad links with the Commonwealth (e.g. Association of Commonwealth Universities, Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Royal Commonwealth Society), the Commonwealth Plus (e.g. Aga Khan Foundation, Overseas Development Institute, Oxfam) and European organisations (e.g. Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies, European Association for Development Institutes, European Consortium for Political Research).

In addition to Garnet and the EU mobility project Regionalism, Social Development & Borders with Latin America – ALFA – the ICS is pleased to be involved in an Economic and Social Research Council grant on non-state actors and policy development; the Centre for International Governance Innovation network on emerging economies; the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission alumni network on governance; Small Island Developing States and non-independent Overseas Territories and comparative island/ocean governance; and other South-North networks on aspects of globalisations, including conflict.