Dr. Hannah to utilize King's values in new role as editor-in-chief

Congratulations to Dr. Erin Hannah, Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Politics & International Relations, on being appointed as the new editor-in-chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia (ORE) of Politics, an indispensable resource that is committed to advancing the study of politics by blending established scholarship with innovative perspectives that address the world’s most pressing issues.

Dr. Hannah says she is honoured and inspired to accept the position, as she will be able to shape a resource that is used worldwide by scholars, educators, and students who rely on its rigour and inclusivity.

She adds that the appointment demonstrates the strength of the King’s research community and our capacity to make significant scholarly contributions on global platforms.

“My leadership experiences at King’s – where I support collaborative, interdisciplinary research initiatives and mentor emerging scholars – have prepared me to steer the ORE of Politics in a way that not only showcases rigorous scholarship but also encourages critical dialogue on the real-world implications of political research,” says Dr. Hannah.

Leading the ORE of Politics will let Dr. Hannah draw on the King’s values of fostering social justice, ethical action, and community engagement within a liberal arts context, emphasizing a diverse and inclusive academic space that reflects global voices and perspectives.

 “King’s has been foundational to my success in research and academic leadership. King’s commitment to social innovation, ethical research, and community-focused inquiry fosters an environment where frontier-thinking and collaborations thrive. King’s support for faculty-led research and its emphasis on experiential learning allows me to bring research into practice, which has significantly influenced my editorial approach,” says Dr. Hannah.

The role of editor-in-chief will be “an exciting blend of strategic vision and editorial oversight,” she says. Dr. Hannah will oversee content direction, collaborate with an international team of editors and scholars, and ensure the ORE of Politics addresses both foundational topics and emerging issues in politics. She will also be responsible for maintaining the publication’s scholarly standards while pushing it to evolve with the dynamic field of political research.

Dr. Hannah is excited and determined to be able to contribute to making the study of politics more globally representative – amplifying non-Western perspectives and centring voices that are often marginalized.”

The appointment comes after years of dedication to Political Science research and publishing. Dr. Hannah will bring her extensive experience to the role, particularly through her recent work editing Global Political Economy, 7th Edition, for Oxford University Press, the best-selling textbook in the field worldwide.

Dr. Hannah says her role in the textbook highlighted her commitment to curating leading scholarship, fostering diverse perspectives, and elevating underrepresented voices – qualities that align strongly with the values and vision she has for the ORE of Politics. 

"The opportunity to build on the ORE’s legacy, while pushing the field forward through interdisciplinary and pluralistic approaches, felt like a perfect alignment with my vision for inclusive and impactful scholarship,” says Dr. Hannah.