The aim of this series of papers is to introduce new ideas and thoughts that will help us explore new directions in UN research and teaching and develop a common concept of UN Studies.

The discussion papers will be used as food for thought for the UNSA Dialogues, our monthly discussion rounds, as well as input for our Journal on International Organization Studies JIOS (http:://www.journal-iostudies.org)

If you are interested in contributing your own views and thoughts on how to conceptualise UN Studies, you may send us your own discussion paper or enter your comments and suggestions below.

Paper No 1: "UN Studies: Foundations for an Emerging Field of Study"

A joint article by Kirsten Haack, Julia Harfensteller and Henrike Paepcke.

To download this paper, please click here.

Abstract:

In this first discussion paper by the UN Studies Association we critically review current UN research and teaching, and offer a vision for a new field of studies: UN Studies. We claim that new research and education conventions, structures and contents need to be developed that place the UN - and not subject disciplines (e.g. international law, politics, international relations, organizational sociology) - at the center of inquiry. Consequently, we argue that it is timely and necessary to conceptualize “UN Studies” as a stand-alone field of interdisciplinary studies about the UN. This article proposes a creative common of UN Studies, demonstrating why an integrated field of studies is needed, and defining core features and methods of teaching.