2021 Annual Meeting Format

We have been hard at work adapting the meeting to the current circumstances, and we are pleased to announce APSA’s 2021 Annual Meeting will return to an in-person meeting in Seattle, while also offering a virtual meeting option.

Meeting Format
Schedule 
Next Steps for Submitters
Original Memo
FAQs

Over the course of the past few months, we have worked closely with many stakeholders to design a plan to allow for safe and accessible meeting in 2021. Focus groups were held at the end of last year with division chairs, section chairs, and status committee chairs to solicit feedback on various options. Monthly meetings were held with the 2021 program chairs to develop a plan. Most recently, the Executive Committee and the Meetings Policy Committee reviewed the plan  to move forward.

We are pleased to create a plan for a meeting that is safe, inclusive, and accessible for the entire discipline during this challenging time. Adapting the meeting format model will bring together political scientists in an innovative way and allow for attendees to pick a format that works best for their circumstances. It is more important than ever to bring together the discipline to share the latest research and scholarship, provide opportunities for scholars to learn about the job market, and be able to network with one another.

The event will look different than past meetings. This page contains detailed information about panel formatting, accessing virtual and livestreamed panels, scheduling, and health and safety protocols.

We will continue to monitor pandemic developments in Seattle, the United States, and the world throughout the coming months, and will aim to provide up to date information in a timely manner on this webpage. In the coming weeks, we will release further information regarding planning for business meetings, receptions, short courses, interview services, and ancillary events. You can always check back here for the most up to date information on our meeting planning. 


Meeting Format

All presenters and participants on a panel must be in the same meeting format. All virtual panels must have all virtual presenters, and all in-person panels must have all in-person panel presenters onsite at the meeting.  In-person meeting attendees will have access to all in-person panels and events, as well as to all virtual sessions live during the meeting and on-demand for six months after the event. 

What to Expect Virtually:
A virtual platform will be available that will allow you to participate and present in virtual panels.  Virtual attendees will have access to all virtual panels in real-time, as well as real-time access to view select livestreaming in-person panels from Seattle. Virtual attendees will also have access to the virtual content on-demand for six months after the meeting. Virtual attendees cannot participate as part of an in-person panel. 

What to Expect In-Person:
In-person attendees will have access to all the in-person panels onsite, as well as virtual sessions during the conference and on-demand for up to six months on the virtual platform after the meeting.  In-person participants are able to present virtually from either a designated location or their hotel room onsite. There may be a circumstance in which we ask in-person attendees to present virtually to help fill the panel slots for a virtual panel, but we will do our best to accommodate the preference selected.

The in-person portion of the meeting will feature enhanced health and safety measures that will be determined as we move forward, taking into consideration guidance from the CDC, the WHO, and state and local authorities. Possible examples of new protocol, should they be necessary at the time of our event, include providing hand sanitizer and masks onsite; daily health evaluations and temperature screenings; and putting up plexiglass barriers around high-traffic areas. As more information becomes available, we will share our work in this area with you. We are committed to the safety of our members and being good stewards of public health.

We anticipate half of all panels will be presented virtually, and half in person.

Here are some things to consider when making your decision: 

In-Person AttendanceVirtual Attendance
Access to all in-person panelsAccess to around 50 select in-person panels that will be livestreamed in real-time
Access to virtual panels in real-timeAccess to virtual panels in real-time
Access to virtual panels for up to six month after the Annual MeetingAccess to virtual panels for up to six month after the Annual Meeting
Ability to present a panel in person in Seattle from Thursday – SundayAbility to present a panel virtually from Tuesday  -Sunday
Ability to present remotely as part of a virtual panel 

Schedule

Tuesday, September 28 and Wednesday, September 29

Virtual Panel Sessions

6 a.m. Pacific/9 a.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

2 p.m. Pacific/5 p.m. Eastern


Thursday, September 30 – Saturday, October 2

Virtual Panel Sessions

6 a.m. Pacific/9 a.m. Eastern

In-Person Panel Sessions

8 a.m. Pacific/11 a.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern

In-Person Panel Sessions

12 p.m. Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

2 p.m. Pacific/5 p.m. Eastern

In-Person Panel Sessions

4 p.m. Pacific/7 p.m. Eastern


Sunday, October 3

Virtual Panel Sessions

6 a.m. Pacific/9 a.m. Eastern

In-Person Panel Sessions

8 a.m. Pacific/11 a.m. Eastern

In-Person Panel Sessions

10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

12 p.m. Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern

Virtual Panel Sessions

2 p.m. Pacific/5 p.m. Eastern

We will be releasing a scheduling request form soon for those with time zone conflicts. 

Registration pricing can be found here >>

 

We will continue to monitor pandemic developments throughout the coming months and will aim to provide up-to-date information in a timely manner. In the coming weeks, we will release further information regarding planning for business meetings, receptions, short courses, interview services, and ancillary events. You can always check back here for the most current information on our meeting planning. 

In the meantime, check out our new FAQs page. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at meeting@apsanet.org