What skills does a political scientist need?

A political scientist needs 38 essential skills including government policy implementation, politics, political ideologies, government policy, research design. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace political scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for political scientist is 73/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2633

political scientist

Political scientists study political behaviour, activity and systems, including the elements that fall therein. Their study of the field ranges from the origins and evolution of various political systems to topical matters such as decision-making processes, political behaviour, political trends, society, and power perspectives. They advise governments and institutional organisations on governance matters.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (38)

government policy implementationgovernment policy implementationThe procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.politicspoliticsThe method, process and study of influencing people, gaining control over a community or society, and the distribution of power within a community and between societies.political ideologiespolitical ideologiesThe various political ideologies that represent a set of ethical ideas, principles, symbols, myths and doctrines, followed by individuals, groups, classes or institutions and offer an explanation on h...government policygovernment policyThe political activities, plans, and intentions of a government for a legislative session for concrete causes.research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...political economypolitical economyThe field that combines political and economic factors in the analysis of modern societies. It focuses on factors such as production and trade and their relations with the law and the government.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.apply statistical analysis techniquesapply statistical analysis techniquesUse models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.report analysis resultsreport analysis resultsProduce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as...develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...

Optional (34)

political partiespolitical partiesThe ideas and principles that political parties stand for and the politicians representing them.election lawelection lawThe regulations concerning the procedures during elections, such as voting regulations, campaign regulations, which procedures candidates must follow, how votes are counted, and other electoral proced...foreign affairsforeign affairsThe operations of a foreign affairs department in a government or public organisation and its regulations.European integrationEuropean integrationThe evolving and ongoing process of economic, social, and political integration among European countries to enhance their cooperation, collaboration, and prosperity, as well as to overcome historical ...social network analysissocial network analysisThe research method that is mainly explored in sociology and communication science and focuses on the analysis of the relations between individuals and among organisations and states.political campaigningpolitical campaigningThe procedures involved in conducting a successful political campaign, such as the specific research methods, promotional tools, liaising with the public, and other strategic aspects concerning the or...good governancegood governanceThe political and governmental processes and results that needs to be taken for the development of the society. It manifests itself when there is a correspondence between the political promises on hum...European political studiesEuropean political studiesAcademic field of studies focused on European politics, governance, and other related social sciences. Within the European Union framework, it examines a large range of topics such as EU institutions,...sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.economicseconomicsEconomic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.African studiesAfrican studiesAcademic field dealing with interdisciplinary studies of the African continent from an historical, social, legal, political, economic, or cultural approach. Its diversity and the relationship of Afric...international lawinternational lawThe binding rules and regulations in the relations between states and nations, and legal systems dealing with countries rather than private citizens.geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...public administrationpublic administrationThe field where policy acts to pursue the improvement of public goods and produce beneficial changes in societies. Includes the set of public entities and bodies that serve the public interest, within...write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...advise on public relationsadvise on public relationsAdvise business or public organisations on public relations management and strategies in order to ensure efficient communication with target audiences, and proper conveying of information.advise legislatorsadvise legislatorsGive advice on various government and legislative duties, such as policy creation and the inner workings of a governmental department, to government officials in legislative positions, such as members...observe new developments in foreign countriesobserve new developments in foreign countriesObserve political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain relationships with government agenciesmaintain relationships with government agenciesEstablish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.conduct public surveysconduct public surveysConduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the proces...analyse foreign affairs policiesanalyse foreign affairs policiesAnalyse the existing policies for the handling of foreign affairs within a government or public organisation in order to evaluate them and search for improvements.analyse election proceduresanalyse election proceduresAnalyse the proceedings during elections and campaigns in order to monitor the voting behaviour of the public, identify ways in which the election campaign can be improved for politicians, and to pred...perform public relationsperform public relationsPerform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.conduct quantitative researchconduct quantitative researchExecute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.teach political scienceteach political scienceInstruct students in the theory and practice of political science, and more specifically in topics such as politics, political systems, and history of politics.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...provide technical expertiseprovide technical expertiseProvide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.assess risk factorsassess risk factorsDetermine the influence of economical, political and cultural risk factors and additional issues.advise on legislative actsadvise on legislative actsAdvise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.advise on foreign affairs policiesadvise on foreign affairs policiesAdvise governments or other public organisations on the development and implementation of foreign affairs policies.