Ethical and Epistemological Issues in the Teaching of Politics
6 June 2025 · IOE, UCL
The Centre for the Pedagogy of Politics (CPP) at UCL and the Teaching Political Theory Network (TPTN) at the University of York co-hosted this one-day workshop on ethical and epistemological issues in the teaching of politics.
The workshop took a broad view of politics education, encompassing Political Science, International Relations and Political Theory, as well as the pastoral and administrative activities that inform and support teaching. Its aim was to provide a forum for educators and researchers to critically explore contemporary philosophical questions, scholarly debates and pedagogical approaches related to teaching politics.
The event featured presentations, panels and discussions. The original call for contributions invited work on a wide range of topics, including teaching political argumentation, methodological assumptions, neutrality of teacher viewpoint, freedom of speech in the classroom, and approaches to teaching controversial or upsetting subjects.
Other suggested topics included inclusive classroom practices, decolonising or liberating the curriculum, the differential treatment of students, and the ethical questions surrounding assessment and artificial intelligence. The call also encouraged consideration of programme design, interdisciplinary teaching, involving students in the development of teaching materials, and the relationship between politics education and employability.
Further information
UCL-TPTN: Ethical and Epistemological Issues in the Teaching of Politics