Based on research seminars at the University of Sussex Department of International Relations, the Intergalactic Relations podcast analyses Star Trek: The Next Generation, applying insights from staff and students. The podcast is for Star Trek and International Relations novices alike, a relaxed and entertaining way to learn about world politics.
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The Department of International Relations (https://www.sussex.ac.uk/ir/) is based in the School of Global Studies (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/global/), a global hub at the heart of the University of Sussex. Our engaged research and critical pedagogy addresses the most pressing global issues of our times – global inequalities and global justice, climate and environmental change, war and peace, global health and finance crises, intolerance and discrimination. Our mission is to generate knowledge and understanding that can make a difference, for a fairer, safer, more sustainable and more inclusive world.
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Why Star Trek The Next Generation? This show is episodic in format so we can watch any episode, in any order, and it should make sense to everyone. It began to air in 1987 and wrapped up in 1994. It is utopian in its depiction of a post-scarcity, post-racial society, who now explore the stars. Humanity is living the liberal dream, it would seem. But then the wars in former Yugoslavia happen, the US botch a military intervention in Somalia, and in general the rosy picture of the end of the Cold War begins to be tarnished. This real-world funk seeps into the show by the latter seasons. In this podcast series we will note how the utopianism and optimism of earlier seasons give way to cynicism and tacit acknowledgement of the darker side of this TV liberalism.
S1 Episode 8: Terrorist cosplay - on self-determination and pre-emptive defence
In this episode firecracker Ensign Ro goes undercover to dismantle a terrorist cell, the Maquis. She comes to see the Maquis cause as just, and the rules and legality of the Federation as oppressive. The Maquis engage in 'pre-emptive defence', and lives are on the line.
Join us for yet another prescient episode, discussing the ways in which liberalism justifies violence, and why people under its rule may abandon it. Many of the IR themes of this episode call back to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/20739-sarah-bulmer)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
7 Feb 2025
S1 Episode 7: Helping distant aliens - on humanitarian intervention
In this episode we meet Worf's cheeky foster brother as he compels our protagonists to help a population that they would otherwise leave to harm under a principle of non-interference. What obligation does an advanced, space faring people have towards those they encounter?
Join us for a discussion of an eerily prescient episode, asking moral questions in 1994 that would soon be grappled with as the US and its allies intervened in Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and elsewhere.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/20739-sarah-bulmer)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
13 Dec 2024
S1 Episode 6: Just Stop Warp Travel - on environmental politics
Dr. Faiz Sheikh, Dr. Sarah Bulmer, and Dr. Dan Watson examine the intersection of climate change, fossil fuels, and International Relations through the lens of a Star Trek episode where warp travel threatens the galaxy's ecosystem.
29 Nov 2024
S1 Episode 5: Borg Alone 2, on war and identity
Dr. Faiz Sheikh, Dr. Sarah Bulmer, and Dr. Dan Watson dissect the intersection of international relations and Star Trek, exploring the ethics of war and individual identity in a complex, interconnected world.
15 Nov 2024
S1 Episode 4: Forbidden Love
This episode we navigate sexuality and gender, 1992 style. We explore an alien society which is apparently genderless. What happens when one of them falls in love with one of the Enterprise crew? What does gender and sexuality have to do with power in society?
Join us for a discussion of International Relations, Star Trek, and the central place of gender relations in world politics.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/sbulmer/)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
1 Nov 2024
S1 Episode 3: The Liar, The Witch (Hunt), and the Spaceship
In this episode we explore the trade offs between security and liberty in the 24th Century, and its eerie parallels to similar themes during the War on Terror. With spies and enemies abound, how much is too much, in the defence of freedom?
Join us for a discussion of International Relations, Star Trek, security and rights.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/sbulmer/)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
Hide (https://rss.com/podcasts/intergalactic-relations/1708387/#)
18 Oct 2024
S1 Episode 2: Techno-Communism
This episode we encounter an existential threat to the liberal individualism of our protagonists: The Borg. What makes them so terrifying? Communist-style collectivism, or the loss of individuality brought on by neoliberalism?
Join us for a discussion of International Relations, Star Trek, and the politics of the Cold War on the TV screen.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/sbulmer/)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
4 Oct 2024
S1 Episode 1: Human Rights and Toasters
Episode Notes:
This week we witness the tribunal to decide if the android Mr. Data is sentient, and a holder of rights, or if he is a glorified toaster, and nothing more than property.
Join us for a discussion of International Relations, Star Trek, race, and rights.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/sbulmer/)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
Hide (https://rss.com/podcasts/intergalactic-relations/1646990/#)
7 Sept 2024
S1 Episode 0: What is International Relations? Why Star Trek?
In this brief episode we cover the premise and main characters of Star Trek the Next Generation, and how it intersects with the academic study of International Relations.
Hosts:
Dr. Faiz Sheikh (https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p518301-faiz-sheikh)
Dr. Sarah Bulmer (https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/sbulmer/)
Dr. Dan Watson (https://x.com/DCWatson14)
Star Trek episode list for watching along:
Podcast episode 1: The Measure of a Man, S2EP9
Podcast episode 2: Q Who, S2EP16
Podcast episode 3: The Drumhead, S4EP21
Podcast episode 4: The Outcast, S5EP7
Podcast episode 5: I, Borg, S5EP23
Podcast episode 6: Force of Nature, S7EP9
Podcast episode 7: Homeward, S7EP13
Podcast episode 8: Preemptive Strike, S7EP24
Podcast episode 9: Journey's End, S7EP20
Music and effects:
Space Fanfare - Cinematic Orchestral Music (Star Trek Inspired) by humanoide9000 -- https://freesound.org/s/744049/ (https://freesound.org/s/744049/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
RedAlert_Klaxon_STTOS_recreated.wav by zimbot -- https://freesound.org/s/178032/ (https://freesound.org/s/178032/) -- License: Attribution 4.0
Teleport Sound by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/453390/ (https://freesound.org/s/453390/) -- License: Creative Commons 0
Podcast Authority Score: 2 / 100
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