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