Bettiza has a longstanding interest in the sociology, theory, and pedagogy of IR. In two co-authored journal articles with Stephane Baele they interrogate the “turns phenomenon” in the discipline and “what metrics do” to academics. In a series of forums, Bettiza has reflected on his own pedagogy, when it comes to teaching IR theory and its paradigms (the “isms”) as well as subjects supposedly not “fit for polite conversation”, like religion and (global) politics. He is currently developing and interest in the relationship between methodology and theory.