Dr. Tieku elected Vice President of the International Studies Association

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Tieku, Professor of Politics and International Relations, who has been elected Vice President of the International Studies Association (ISA).

Founded in 1959, the ISA has more than 7,000 members representing over 100 countries. It is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in the field. Endeavouring to create communities of scholars dedicated to international studies, ISA is divided into seven geographic subdivisions of ISA (Regions), 29 thematic groups (Sections) and four Caucuses which provide opportunities to exchange ideas and research with local colleagues and within specific subject areas.

Dr. Tieku expressed both gratitude and surprise upon receiving the news. “It is both humbling and an honour to have the opportunity to lead over 7,000 international relations scholars,” said Dr. Tieku.

Reflecting on what this recognition means for King’s, he noted, “This election is a clear indication that King’s punches above its weight and has an outstanding reputation not only in Canada but globally. It reflects the high regard for the quality of research, scholarship, and publications produced at King’s and in Canada. It also demonstrates that, despite the relatively small size of the Canadian IR community, we have the ability to make a significant impact in the field of International Relations and remain highly competitive at the global level.”

As Vice President, Dr. Tieku will collaborate with the ISA President and Executive Committee to oversee the organization’s activities, supporting a diverse membership of academics, policy experts, practitioners, and independent researchers who focus on international, transnational, and global affairs.

In this role, Dr. Tieku plans to champion several key initiatives:

• Strengthening support for early-career scholars to nurture the next generation of researchers.
• Fostering intergenerational dialogue to enhance collaboration across career stages.
• Promoting North-South partnerships to create more equitable opportunities for collaboration.
• Expanding ISA’s presence in the Global South, recognizing the region’s growing significance in international affairs.

“At King’s, I’ve had the privilege of pursuing research and writing on topics I’m passionate about, rather than focusing solely on career-driven work. This freedom has allowed me to develop a deeper engagement with the issues I care about, which aligns closely with the broader objectives of the ISA,” says Dr. Tieku.

Dr. Tieku credits his position at King’s University College for enabling his growth as a researcher and leader. He highlighted the institution’s support in facilitating faculty participation at international conferences, allowing him to attend every ISA convention since joining King’s in 2013.

“This unwavering support has enabled me to build meaningful connections and stay actively engaged with the ISA community,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of supportive colleagues and university leadership experience, including positions such as Coordinator of Social Justice and Peace Studies at King’s, Director of African Studies at the University of Toronto, and a member of key academic committees. These roles, he noted, have equipped him with the skills necessary to excel in his new position.

Dr. Tieku’s nomination for the ISA Vice Presidency was spearheaded by Dr. Andrew Grant of Queen’s University and evaluated by a 10-member nominating committee, which reviewed submissions from across the world. The Nominating Committee presented six candidates for the position of Vice President of the Association, and he was elected as the top choice among the six scholars by the ISA membership

“Being chosen from such a distinguished group of scholars is a meaningful validation of the work I’ve done in International Relations,” Dr. Tieku said.

He also credited his election to the extensive service to the ISA, including chairing the T.V. Paul Best Book Award in Global International Relations (GIRS), and the 2023 ISA-Canada Distinguished Scholar Committee. He also served as founding Section Program Co-Chair and Co-Vice Chair of Global International Relations and on many committees including the Distinguished Scholar Committee for the IR Theory Section.

Dr. Tieku’s election is a testament to his commitment to advancing the field of International Relations and to King’s University College’s growing reputation as a hub for globally significant research and scholarship.