Discussions about the agent-structure dilemma have a long tradition in International Relations. Over the past decade, this field has become stale in that it has mostly eschewed empirical research and has never managed to overcome the dilemma theoretically. We argue for a renewed approach to agency beyond the agent-structure debate and in light of recent innovations in practice theory and materialist theories. There are also lively debates about agency in various empirical research fields, despite differing terminologies, such as on the agency of international organizations, African agency, the agency of non-governmental organisations and youth agency. This article summarises the interdisciplinary state of the art, develops possibilities for agency research across ontological boundaries and sketches the contours of a research programme on agency in International Relations.