Although located in the Department of Politics, academics in other departments, faculties and research centres within the College are centrally involved in the Institute's work programme. The Institute's affairs are administered by a small staff which comprises a director, research administrator and a secretary. The Institute's affairs are overseen by a Board. The Board is responsible for advising the Director in relation to the ethos, policy direction and work programme of the Institute.
Membership is drawn from a range of academic disciplines and from a cross-section of society.
This reflects the Institute's interdisciplinary approach and its desire to promotes contact between the academic and the non-academic worlds. From time to time advisory committees may be appointed to supervise particular projects. The composition of the committees will vary from project to project but will normally include members of the board and experts in the specific project area.