Field Trips

We aim to give our students as many opportunities as possible to experience and engage with real-world current debates.

Off

At Sheffield, we regularly take students to events held by the British International Studies Association (BISA), such as their annual Model NATO and Model COP. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to experience contemporary political simulations addressing real-world challenges.

Model COP

Delivered in partnership with Chatham House, BISA’s annual climate negotiation simulation event reproduced negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Students are asked to represent one of the ‘parties’ that have signed up to current international agreements on climate change with the aim of agreeing upon refinements to current arguments.

Model NATO

BISA’s Model NATO is held in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Every year, University students from around the world take part in this simulation event to learn about how NATO works in practice and the significance of the Alliance for UK and European defence.

These events are excellent opportunities to network with government professionals and gain insight into their careers. Our students have also won awards for their involvement, including the Outstanding Delegate Award.

“Being able to see first-hand how alliances work and the importance of collaboration was really impactful, and has contributed to the approach I take towards my degree! The FCDO was a beautiful and inspiring setting, and these events are crucial in facilitating the next generation of diplomacy.” - Jess Clayton, Outstanding Delegate award winner.

In addition to the annual BISA events, we regularly apply for funding to take students to international summits and conferences where they can engage with professionals working in policy, politics, and journalism. We have taken students to the G20 Summits in Brazil, Japan, Germany and Argentina, as well as the G7 Summits in Canada, Germany, Japan, and Russia.

“Engaging with incredible individuals at the summit not only allowed me to gain valuable insights but also made me realise that others valued my ideas.” - Shengyao Guo, on her experience at G20 Rio.

Three students posing in front of flags at the model NATO

Field trips

Our students have attended BISA events, the G20 Summit and the G7 Summit.

Four students holding placards of their assigned country

Social Science students at the G20 summit international media center

Hear from our students

Sheffield Students Take on G20

This year, eight students from the Faculty of Social Sciences attended the annual G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

18 December 2024

Students Celebrate Success at BISA Model NATO 2026

Three students from the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations attended the 2026 British International Studies Association (BISA) Model NATO.

8 May 2026