Interested in politics, diplomacy, global affairs, journalism, or gaining experience interviewing high-profile individuals? Join us!
Welcome to the University of Bath Political Interviewing Society.
We connect students directly with practitioners in politics, diplomacy, public service, and international affairs through structured, non-partisan interviews.
Our mission is to provide meaningful exposure to real-world political and diplomatic experience beyond textbooks and lectures, while fostering informed dialogue, curiosity, and critical engagement with global affairs.
Whether you're interested in interviewing, journalism, politics, diplomacy, or simply want to learn from people with fascinating careers, there’s a place for you here.
What do we do?
Our Society focuses on one-on-one, student-led interviews with politicians, diplomats, public servants, and other prominent figures. Members take an active role in shaping and conducting professional, journalist-style interviews, gaining first-hand insight into political, diplomatic, and public service careers.The Society’s interviews are usually conducted online through Zoom or Google Meet, recorded, and subsequently published on our website. These range from approximately 10 to 50 minutes in length.
In the medium term, we aim to collaborate with foundations, institutions, and organisations to interview political figures at their events, while also giving students opportunities to attend conferences and political venues, such as embassies, equipped with professional audio recording equipment to conduct interviews directly with ambassadors, officials, and other participants.
In the longer term, the Society aims to expand its activities to include in-person interviews and discussions on campus, inviting politicians, diplomats, and other prominent figures to engage directly with students. These conversations could be professionally recorded and published online, creating a dynamic platform through which students actively engage with the people shaping today’s political and international landscape.
How do I get an interview?
It is the responsibility of individual members to proactively identify and reach out to politicians, diplomats, public officials, and other relevant figures directly in order to secure interviews.
This involves researching potential interviewees, finding appropriate contact details through publicly available sources such as institutional websites, professional directories, and LinkedIn, and making professional outreach by email or other appropriate channels.
The member who successfully arranges the conversation is then given the opportunity to conduct the interview.
As the Society grows and interviews more individuals, we will build an expanding network of political figures and professional contacts. Members will be able to draw on this network when seeking introductions, requesting interviews, or asking for recommendations.
This approach creates a merit-based environment that rewards initiative and persistence, while also fostering collaboration and mutual support. Members benefit from both their own efforts and the collective resources and connections developed by the Society.
Being a member of the Society is crucial to successfully securing interviews, as the credibility of being part of an officially recognised, university-backed student organisation gives significantly greater weight to members’ outreach.
When contacting politicians, diplomats, public officials, and other prominent figures, members can introduce themselves as representatives of the University of Bath Political Interviewing Society, providing a clear and credible institutional context for their request.
This affiliation is particularly important when approaching senior figures and institutions, as it demonstrates that the request is part of a legitimate student-led initiative rather than simply an unsolicited personal approach. As the Society’s reputation and network continue to grow, membership will provide students with an increasingly credible platform from which to secure interviews and establish professional connections.
Our vision
Through educational and strictly non-partisan conversations, we aim to cultivate critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, empathy, and analytical skills among students. By engaging with diverse perspectives, members develop a deeper understanding of complex political, economic and international issues, preparing them for future careers in public service, policy, and global leadership.
The Society is strictly non-partisan, welcoming students of all political perspectives and encouraging respectful engagement with a diverse range of viewpoints. It is also open to all students, regardless of their degree or background, ensuring an inclusive environment where curiosity, research, and dialogue take priority.
Interviews
27 January 2026
The University of Bath Political Interviewing Society is pleased to share our interview with Dr. Walter B. Gyger, former Swiss Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the United Nations, and author of Dare We Hope?
In the interview, we discussed Greenland, Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum, the increase in global conflicts, and a range of other current international affairs.
We are grateful to Dr. Gyger for sharing his experience and perspectives with our Society.
Watch the full interview here: https://docs.google.com/videos/d/1W2gvrzW4nl9_jbCC_yARqrTi5KlfzELyw0nhOvZy0Bk/play?usp=sharing
13 February 2026
The University of Bath Political Interviewing Society is pleased to share our second interview, featuring Mr. Jon Allen, former Canadian Ambassador to Israel.
The discussion covered U.S.–Canada relations, populism, and a range of contemporary political and international affairs.
We would like to thank Mr. Allen for taking the time to speak with the Society and share his experience and perspectives.
Watch the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wSVf70Z2cIqCJOvJ0_T-5YNv44ExegUk/view?usp=sharing