EISA is committed to innovation, intellectual advancement and inclusivity. We exist to promote and advance the interdisciplinary field of international studies in Europe and beyond. As a member-driven association, we provide a range of innovative events, from small-scale symposia for exploratory projects to our flagship Pan-European conferences, where scholars and practitioners from around the world can discuss the latest developments in the field. EISA also promotes inclusivity by prioritising a diverse range of voices at our events and in our association practices. We actively seek suggestions from our members and the wider international studies community on how to continue to develop this agenda.
EISA is managed by a Governing Board comprised of 12 elected members who serve on a voluntary basis. Within this, 3 elected members serve on the Executive Committee (President, Executive Secretary and Treasurer). An annual General Assembly ensures that members can approve core association business. EISA also aims to be responsive to member suggestions and we welcome your comments via email.
History of EISA
EISA was founded in 2013 by former members of the Steering Committee of the Standing Group on International Relations (SGIR) of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). EISA was created to increase the range of activities and opportunities available to members of the international studies community and to this end, we continue to work alongside other international studies associations, including the SGIR, to advance our field and its scholars.
1990
A loose network of 27 IR scholars from across Europe forms as the Standing Group of International Relations (SGIR) of the European Consortium of International Relations (ECPR)
1992
The first Pan-European Conference on International Relations (PEC) takes place in Heidelberg. Further conferences follow in a three-yearly rhythm until 2013.
1995
The first issue of the European Journal of International Relations (EJIR) is published by Sage under the auspices of SGIR.
2011
The first Exploratory Symposia are held in Rapallo.
SGIR faces increasing problems with increasing membership numbers and financial turnover within the ECPR framework. The SC therefore decides to explore the transfer of SGIR into a stand-alone professional organisation.
2013
The European International Studies Association (EISA) is formally registered as a Swiss Charity.
The first European Workshops in International Studies (EWIS) are held in Tartu, Estonia.
The first PEC organised by EISA takes place in Warsaw. A decision is taken to organise the next PEC after two rather than three years.
2014
The members of the Steering Committee decide to dissolve SGIR. ECPR decides to form a new SGIR.
2015
The first issue of Global Affairs appears as a more policy-oriented journal, published by Taylor & Francis. EISA decides to terminate the journal in 2021.
The Palgrave Studies in International Relations (PSIR) series is instituted as EISA’s own book series.
EISA organises its second PEC in Sicily and decides to make PEC an annual event.
2016
The 10th PEC, scheduled to take place in Izmir, is cancelled after martial law following a failed coup attempt in Turkey jeopardises the organisation of the conference. As a consequence, EISA runs into financial difficulties.
EISA decides to organise EWIS on an annual basis.
A settlement is reached between EISA and ECPR about the ownership of EJIR. A Joint Management Committee consisting of two members from each organisation is installed to oversee the running of the journal.
2024
Voices in International Relations, published by Oxford University Press, replaces PSIR as EISA’s book series.