ANU Online Summer School in Political Analysis 2027

The ANU Summer School in Political Analysis will be offered entirely online.

The program will run over three weeks over the following dates:

  • February 1-5
  • February 8-12
  • February 15-19

Individual courses will run over 5 x half days (in one week). Morning sessions will run from 9.30am to 12.00pm. Afternoon sessions will run from 1.00pm to 3.30pm.

Visit individual course pages below to find a course outline, syllabus, session times and any requirements you will need to participate. 

Course fees are also listed, and will vary depending on whether you belong to an ACSPRI Member organisation, ANU student or staff, you are a full-time student or you enrol before the early-bird deadline of December 16. All enrolments must be made on-line via the individual course page. Follow the instructions on the 'how to enrol' tab to enrol yourself or someone else. 

For more information, scroll down, click on the FAQs, or you can call us on 03 8376 6496 or email info@acspri.org.au

 

 

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ANU logo

Courses

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Foundations of Programming in R for Political Analysis in the Age of AI

Course starts: Monday 1 February

This course offers hands-on training in R programming for quantitative political analysis, paired with practical and responsible techniques for using AI assistants to write, debug, and verify data analysis code. 

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Foundations of Statistical Analysis in Political Analysis

Course starts: Tuesday 2 February

The aim of this course is to provide students with an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of quantitative political science research.

 

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Meaning in Politics: an Introduction to Interpretive Methods

Course starts: Monday 8 February

The aim of this course is to introduce and build capacity for Interpretivist Methods in Political Science.

 

Survey Experiments for Political Science: Online
Survey Experiments for Political Science

Course starts: Tuesday 9 February

This course covers the foundations of designing, implementing and analysing basic online survey experiments in political science. 

 

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Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis in Political Science

Course starts: Monday 15 February

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of Critical Discourse Analysis and specifically the Fairclough method. 

 

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Social Network Analysis in R

Course starts: Tuesday 16 February

A practical introduction to the network perspective and social network analysis (SNA), with a focus on applications in political analysis.

 

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Oral History, Ethnography and Archival Analysis in Political Science

Course starts: Tuesday 16 February

This course introduces core qualitative methods for political science, teaching how researchers collect and interpret unstructured evidence through immersive and interpretive approaches. It is structured around 3 types of qualitative data and the methods for collecting them: oral history, political ethnography and qualitative archival analysis.

About the program

Step 1Create an ACSPRI account using your institutional or organisational email address, or if you already have one, log in to the ACSPRI website. You can create a password, or login with a one-time code.  

Step 2:  Navigate to your desired course page, either from this Program page or from our courses page. If a course is scheduled you will see an "Upcoming Offerings' box at the bottom of the page with dates, venue, early-bird deadline, a link to a pricing schedule and an 'enrol in this course button'. If the course is full or unscheduled, you will see a box asking you to leave your email address to be notified when the next offering of that course will be available. Leave your email address and we will notify you via email when that course is available for enrolments.

Step 3: To enrol, select the 'enrol in this course' button. You will then see your course in your 'cart'. if you wish to enrol in a 2nd or 3rd course, continue browsing and adding courses as you did previously. Once you have one or all of your courses in your cart, please press 'update cart' (if more than one course), then  'checkout' button at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: Enter contact details either for 'yourself' if you are attending the course, or if you are booking a place for someone else, choose 'other account' or 'other person' and enter their details. 

Step 5: In this next step you will be notified that you will be receive in course materials in digital format via email

Step 6: Payment: You can choose to pay by credit card immediately (enter your credit card details), or generate an invoice for later payment by choosing the 'direct deposit' option. If you have an ACSPRI credit, you will see a 'Gift card code' option on the right hand side of the screen. Please enter the code you have been given by ACSPRI to apply your credit. (If you don't know or have misplaced your code please contact info@acspri.org.au).

Step 7: After choosing your payment option, add the billing details for the invoice. This last section is where you add the details that will appear on the invoice, so if you need to add your institution's or organisation's details to the invoice, you do this here, otherwise, you can just add your own contact details. Once you've done that, continue to review.

Step 8: The review page is where you check everything is correct with your order. On the right hand side you will see your course, the full cost , minus any discounts and the final amount due. Continue by pressing the pay and complete purchase button. You will be emailed a receipt if you paid by credit card or credit or an invoice if you chose direct deposit as your payment option. There will be banking details and links (for credit card payment) on the unpaid invoice.

 

1.  BOOKING - ACSPRI does not accept ‘expressions of interest’ for course places, i.e. all bookings, are considered firm, and a $250 cancellation fee is charged if you cancel your booking after the early-bird date. Your fee is forfeited entirely if you cancel in the week before the course.

2. DISCOUNT RATE – The discounted rate for ACSPRI members is available to all staff and students of member organisations. To be eligible for this rate:

  • The course fee must be paid by either the member organisation or by you. Where fees are paid by a non-member organisation the non-member rate applies:and
  • You must either have a valid email address issued by the member organisation; or you must hold, or have a right to hold, a current staff or student identity card from the member organisation.

In addition, to be eligible for a full time student discount the participant must:

  • Hold, or have a right to hold, a current student identity card from the member organisation;
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student;
  • Make payment in full with your application, arrange electronic funds transfer (EFT), or contact ACSPRI to advise credit card details for payment, by the early-bird closing date;
  • Provide ACSPRI with contact details of your supervisor, so we can request them to confirm your eligibility for the full time student rate.

The early bird rate applies to all bookings paid in full by the early bird close date, otherwise you will be charged at the standard rate.

 

3. ACSPRI accepts payments via Visa and Mastercard or direct deposit as noted on all invoices

  • To be eligible for the early bird rate payment must be received by the close of business on the advertised date deadline. If payment is not received by this date then the standard rate applies
  • All requests for other payment arrangements should be sent via email to info@acspri.org.au
     

4. REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS - Course fees are not refundable unless:

  • we cancel the course in which you have enrolled; or
  • you cancel your enrolment before the early-bird closing date.

A cancellation fee of $250 will be charged if you cancel within the period from the early-bird closing date of and one week prior to the commencement of the program. The full course fee will be charged if you cancel within 1 week of the beginning of your course.

 

5. COURSE NOTES are generally provided as part of your enrolment. If additional course notes are required, there will be a fee.

 

6. PREREQUISITES - Course descriptions specify course prerequisites. You must undertake to meet the prerequisites of the course(s) in which you enrol. If in any doubt, you should contact ACSPRI prior to enrolling (info@acspri.org.au).

1. FAQs re Course Info

1.1. I'm not sure which course I should do. Where should I start?
The program page has a list of courses being offered at the current program. If you click on the course title, that will bring up the outline for that course, including a detailed syllabus. It is important to check the prerequisites, to ensure that you are at the expected level of preparedness. A full list of courses, including some infrequently-offered ones, is available at www.acspri.org.au/courses.

1.2. Will the same courses be offered at every program?
No, but many courses are are the same, especially the popular ones. Course offerings are typically announced on the website and via our mailing list three to four months prior to each program.

1.3. I have read the course outline/s but I have specific questions about this course. Who can I ask?
Program-related questions can be directed to info@acspri.org.au or call 03 8376 6496

1.4. Do I need to bring text books for my course?
Usually not, but you should check the course outline. Course notes are generally provided and, in most cases, other background reading listed is useful but not essential.

1.5. Will I need a computer/ laptop and/or software for my online course?
Yes, you will need access to the internet and a computer with a webcam and ideally a headset with a microphone (for your comfort).

  • A second monitor, while not essential, may be very useful.
  • You will will need to download the Zoom application.
  • We will provide you with a zoom link to join your virtual classroom.
  • All other software requirements will be listed on the course page & we will contact you in advance to make sure you have what you need.
  • Prior to to the course, we will offer you an opportunity to test your setup with ACSPRI support staff if you need to.

1.6. What else do I need to bring to my course?
Unless your instructor contacts you in advance of the course, it is safe to assume that you do not need to bring anything specific. In some courses you may be asked to bring your data, as you'll have the opportunity to discuss your research with the instructor or in class.

 

2. FAQs re: Enrolment, Invoices and Payment

2.1. Can I enrol in more than one course?
Yes, at multi-week programs you can enrol in up to two course per week. As these courses run in the morning or afternoon, it is possible to enrol in a morning course and an afternoon course in the same week. The system will not allow you to enrol in more than one course that is running at the same time.

2.2. I need an invoice for payment or funding approval. How can I obtain one?
If you select 'direct deposit' during the enrolment process, this will defer payment and you will automatically receive an invoice when you complete the enrolment (instead of a receipt). This invoice does not necessarily need to be paid by direct deposit; there are a number of methods available. If you do defer payment by selecting 'direct deposit', you will need to keep in mind the relevant due date or Early-Bird Deadline and/or late cancellation date, and the ways these will affect your order.

2.3. My organisation is an ACSPRI Member but the non-member rate keeps showing up for me. What should I do?
You may not have created your ACSPRI account using your institutional or organisational email address when you first created your account. Please contact us at info@acspri.org.au and we will ensure you are added to your organisation's member group so you get your member discount.

2.4. I am not sure if my enrolment worked. How can I tell?
If you have received an official invoice or receipt, then your booking is in the system. Otherwise you can contact us at info@acspri.org.au to check.

2.5. I have enrolled, when will I hear from ACSPRI and/or my instructor?
If this course has not yet been confirmed, you will receive an email when it is. You will also receive at least one bulk housekeeping email in the lead-up to the program - around a week before the course. Some instructors also like to contact their class in advance of the course but in most cases your first contact with your instructor will be on the Monday morning of your course.

2.6. I have an 'ACSPRI Credit'. How can I redeem it.
When you purchase or obtain an ACSPRI credit, you will be given a code. Once you enrol in a course and get to the payment section, you will see a 'Gift card code' option on the right hand side of the screen. Please enter the code you have been given by ACSPRI to apply your credit. (If you don't know or have misplaced your code please contact info@acspri.org.au).

2.7. If my course is not yet confirmed, should I hold off on payment?
This is not recommended, because the number of paid enrolments received is a factor in deciding if a course will go ahead. There is no risk in payment for an unconfirmed course. If a course is cancelled, a full refund or credit valid for 2 years is offered straight away.

2.8. Can I enrol and pay for multiple staff members/students?
Yes, but it is usually easier to have each person enrol themselves and then forward an invoice to you.

 

3. FAQs re Venue and Housekeeping Matters

3.1. Where do I find my course?
To participate in your online course, you will need to download or have access to the zoom application on your computer. In the week before your course, ACSPRI staff will send you a link, and a time for you to log in and access your 'virtual classroom' on the morning of your course.

3.2. What does my course fee cover?
The fee covers course attendance and any course notes or resources.

3.3. What is the course timetable?
Your timetable will generally be located on the course page (session times tab), and if there are any changes, you will be advised in advance or during the course.  We will run blocks of sessions throughout the week, allowing you time to attend to matters in your own workspace in between sessions. Please check your course page for specific details about your course.

 

 

  • We will use the Zoom platform to deliver our online courses.
  • You will need access to the internet and a computer with a webcam and ideally a headset with a microphone (for your comfort).
  • Classes will run across 5 days in blocks of 'online time'. 
  • Classes are either in the morning 9.30am - 12.00pm or afternoon 1.00pm - 3.30pm
  • Online classes will be restricted to 12 people to maintain the interactivity and applied nature of our courses.
  • Depending on the course, you will receive reading, notes and general information about the course in advance or during the course.
  • All other software requirements will be listed on the course page & we will contact you in advance to make sure you have what you need.
  • We understand that networking is a very important part of your ACSPRI experience, over the week, there will be ample opportunities to interact with your fellow classmates and instructor as well as work on applied exercises.
  • Please note: Courses will run on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (GMT +11)