Division Chair(s): Jennie Ikuta, University of Missouri and Kevin Duong, University of Virginia

The Political Thought and Philosophy: History of Political Thought division welcomes paper, panel, and roundtable proposals from scholars across all ranks working in all areas of our field. We are particularly interested in proposals that draw on the history of political thought– broadly understood– that reflect upon this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” How does the history of political thought inform and complicate our understandings of truth, discourse, and propaganda? How have these concepts changed over time and across contexts? What does the rapid acceleration of mis and dis-information suggest about the viability of our norms, practices, and institutions? What resources might the history of political thought provide for navigating our present complexities? In answering questions such as these, we are especially interested in proposals that shed light on issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, and disability. We are committed to promoting intellectual exchange across theoretical and methodological approaches, time periods, texts, and geographical spaces.

Division Chair(s): Angelica Bernal and Elva Orozco Mendoza

The Foundations of Political Theory Section invites papers, panels, and roundtable proposals from all areas of political theory. Building on this year’s theme “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis – and Disinformation,” we invite contributions that explore the concepts of political rights and obligations given current political crises (e.g. climate crisis, political extremism and polarization, health, food insecurity, and economic systems, etc), and interrogate concepts of truth, digital publics/counterpublics, remembrance, forgetting, disavowal, and political responsibility. 

We are particularly interested in contributions that critically examine the notion of rights, political obligations, and citizenship in light of feminist, anti-racist, and decolonial struggles in the US and worldwide.  We also welcome proposals that engage with the legacies and continued impacts of empire and racialized orders past, present, and future.

What is the role of political theory in an age of mis- and disinformation? How can political theory enable truth and mutual understanding? How do mis- and disinformation redefine foundational concepts such as sovereignty, freedom, equality, justice, popular sovereignty and democracy? 

The Foundations of Political Theory Section seeks to create a diverse program and therefore encourages scholarship and scholars that have been historically underrepresented in our field. It accepts papers and panels in all areas of political theory and philosophy, welcoming a broad range of approaches and work by scholars at all career stages. We also seek to create a space for critical engagement of our field and encourage engagements with political theory beyond the Global North.

Division Chair(s): Claudio Lopez-Guerra, University of Richmond

The Normative Theory Division welcomes papers and panel proposals on traditional and emergent normative problems in political philosophy. The theme of this year’s conference is “”Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.”” Submissions on the individual and institutional morality of political communication are thus encouraged. We are open to proposals from all schools of thought in the normative study of politics. And we look forward to panel proposals including scholars at different stages of their careers. We are especially interested in work by those historically underrepresented in our field.

Division Chair(s): Keith Schnakenberg

The Formal Political Theory division welcomes paper, poster and panel proposals that use formal theory to study political questions. We especially encourage substantively cohesive panel proposals, papers with ties to other subfields, and papers or panel proposals that relate to the theme of the 2023 APSA Meeting: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis-and-Disinformation.” This call is meant to be as inclusive as possible on several dimensions. We aim to put together a program with a wide range of substantive applications, types of formal theory (game theory, social choice theory, computational modeling, behavioral modeling), and combinations of formal theory with other methodologies. We also encourage panel proposals which bring together theoretical and empirical papers on the same topic.

Division Chair(s): Julian Wamble George, Washington University

The Political Psychology Division invites papers, panels, and round table proposals from all areas of political psychology. We are especially – but not exclusively – interested in receiving proposals that build upon the annual conference’s theme: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis-and Disinformation.” We look forward to receiving proposals that explore how, in this season where information of varying levels of truth is being disseminated, people, institutions, and groups navigate and act in a political landscape where what is true and what is not continuously becomes more difficult to discern.

Our division welcomes proposals that utilize our subfield’s various theoretical perspectives (e.g. information processing, social and political identities, personality traits, etc.) to grapple with questions related to how information is shared, who may be more susceptible to receive certain kinds of information, and how do individuals process misinformation. We also welcome proposals that are diverse in their methodological approach (i.e. quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches). Finally, we strongly encourage the submission of well-organized panel proposals that embrace our division’s diversity in terms of our backgrounds, our areas of expertise, our experiences, and our abilities. In particular, we are interested in panels that consider research designs rather than completed work and/or include scholars from different subfields of political science, and who are at different career levels. Scholars are also free to submit other proposal formats such as round tables, semi-structured debates, and short courses. Given the interdisciplinary nature of political psychology, we actively seek opportunities to co-sponsor with other divisions as well.

Division Chair(s): Donghyun Danny Choi, Brown University and Tara Slough, New York University

The Political Economy division invites submissions on political economy, broadly defined. We especially welcome contributions that tackle elements of this year’s theme, mis- and disinformation, through a political economy framework. Why do elites promote or counter mis- and disinformation? What institutional or technological interventions might be effective in reducing these phenomena? When are these interventions adopted or pursued? And how do mis- or disinformation affect political behavior? We will pay particular attention to proposals for substantively cohesive panels and mini-conferences, as well as paper submissions that highlight the diversity of approaches and topics that have historically characterized this section.

Division Chair(s): Didac Queralt, Yale University and Sarah Staszak, Princeton University

The Politics and History Division invites panel and paper submissions on topics related to politics and history in comparative politics, American politics, and international relations. The Division encourages submissions related to the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” including research on the historical causes and consequences of free speech, free media as well as censorship. The division promotes methodological pluralism, including but not limited to quantitative and qualitative work. We welcome the study of history and politics per se as well as research focusing on the legacies of historical events into the present day. For full panel submissions, we encourage diversity across gender and rank lines.

Division Chair(s): Molly Roberts, UCSD and Christopher Lucas, WashU

The Political Methodology division welcomes proposals addressing all aspects of empirical methodology. We encourage proposals dealing with measurement, statistical modeling, causal inference, research design, computational methods, survey methodology, and theory development and testing. We welcome proposals that are innovative applications of existing techniques to any substantive subfield of political science. This year’s conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” is an opportunity for individual researchers and groups of scholars to engage in methodological challenges and opportunities in the study of the measurement, spread and impacts of disinformation. Proposals that address the conference theme as well as proposals with potential ties to other divisions are especially welcome. We encourage scholars from underrepresented groups to apply. We will consider not only individual paper presentations, but also panel, roundtable, and workshop proposals.

Division Chair(s): Peter Yacobucci, SUNY Buffalo State and Elizabeth Norell, Chattanooga State Community College

Political science educators increasingly engage students in a changing environment in which rights and obligations long thought secured have come under threat. Active dis-/misinformation campaigns against the academy increasingly threaten scientific inquiry and its dialectic with society. The reassessment of foundational political institutions and the promotion of ‘fake news’ have introduced new challenges to educators. As a result, innovative and reinvigorated pedagogy must be adopted. We seek papers to assist political science educators in this new environment. We invite papers stressing methods and models that assist our students in understanding our political environment and critically engaging their communities through political action. Specifically, papers that guide faculty in the promotion of information literacy and the assessment of those efforts are encouraged. What can the APSA community learn from attempts both within and outside the discipline and the academy on how best to provide the essential knowledge and skills our students need to succeed in and improve our chaotic and unstable world environment? How can our pedagogy increase access and inclusivity to ensure all can benefit from political science education? While papers on other aspects of political science education will be considered, we especially invite submissions focused on navigating this challenging political moment.

Division Chair(s): Adam Ziegfeld and Silja Hausermann

The Comparative Politics section invites submissions that examine any aspect of comparative politics. We seek proposals that pose important substantive questions and provide answers that make compelling theoretical and empirical contributions. Submissions may focus on any substantive area of comparative politics. However, in keeping with this year’s conference theme, we are particularly interested in submissions related to misinformation. We welcome submissions that examine single countries as well as those making regional and cross-national comparisons. All theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome. We strongly encourage cohesive panel proposals, especially those that bring together diverse groups of scholars.

Division Chair(s): Rachel Brule, Boston University and Jessica Rich, Marquette University

The Comparative Politics of Developing Countries Division welcomes paper and panel proposals focused on the politics of low- and middle-income countries. We especially encourage submissions related to the annual meeting’s theme: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Many topics related to this theme, on the politics of mis- and disinformation, and the rights and responsibilities they make salient and challenging for citizens, researchers, political parties, and states, are central to the field of comparative politics, and have particular resonance in low and middle income settings. Topics of particular interest in the context of the increasing scope of mis- and disinformation and the political change they promote in the world include: global, regional, and sub-national inequality and polarization; social and economic policy, in particular around redistribution, and the role of the state; and the role of information, including mis- and disinformation, in comparison to other factors in driving and limiting civil society and citizen mobilization, including mass and local protest and demand-making. We particularly welcome scholarship that engages and is accessible to broad public audiences outside of the academy. We encourage substantively cohesive panel proposals that bring together scholars from within and across subfield lines from a wide-ranging collection of researchers, and welcome research based on a diversity of methodological and disciplinary approaches.

Division Chair(s): Jana Grittersová, University of California, Riverside and Ning Leng, Georgetown University

Division 13 invites submissions that contribute to Communist or post-Communist studies. This year, we are particularly interested in proposals that speak to the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” and examine the multifaceted impact of political communication laden with mis- and disinformation on the political landscape, political behavior, institutions, and rights in Communist and former Communist countries. How have the mis- and disinformation affected the relationship between states and societies in a polarized world? How did they influence the quality of democracy and stability of various political regimes in these countries and regions? How have civil societies in post-Communist or Communist countries reacted to the shifting political dynamics and pernicious effects of the mis- and disinformation? How has the changing nature of information and political polarization impacted the political economies of these countries and their responses to challenges such as climate and demographic change, wealth and income inequality, high inflation, and increasing debt levels? We also encourage proposals that reflect on the evolving nature of research within our field of study in a world of mis- and disinformation. How can the study of Communist or former Communist countries contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between social media, political polarization, and disinformation? How can we, as a division, respond to discipline-wide calls to restructure and rebuild to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive field of study? To enhance diversity and inclusion within our field, we are especially interested in submissions that examine intersectionality, race, ethnicity, gender, accessibility, or LGBTQ politics. In addition, we strongly encourage well-organized panel proposals and other formats such as roundtables and author-meets-critics sessions that bring together scholars diverse in theoretical and methodological approaches, gender, rank, and nationality, including scholars in these regions.

Division Chair(s): Carolina Plescia, University of Vienna and Kyriaki Nanou, Durham University

The section welcomes proposals on a wide range of topics related to the study of advanced industrial societies such as contemporary challenges to government institutions, political processes, political parties and their role in contemporary democracy, and public policies. We encourage a diversity of empirical approaches: comparative and single-country, descriptive and causal, and quantitative and qualitative analyses. We encourage proposals from women, people of color, non-binary, and early-career scholars. Our objective is to create high-quality panels that are inclusive but also balanced and diverse. We encourage those who want to submit complete panels to have this in mind when they select papers, discussants and chairs.

In accordance with this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation”, we welcome papers that engage with emerging themes and innovative approaches in a world of mis- and disinformation. This includes examining key phenomena to provide theoretical and evidence-based insight into the potential impacts of dis-information and misinformation upon governing institutions, public opinion, political processes such as elections and referendums, political parties, and public policies in the 21st century, including how it links to phenomena such as democratic backsliding and the rise of populism. Papers could also address how political actors and institutions respond to and take measures to counter the effects of dis-information and misinformation in advanced industrial societies.

Division Chair(s): Mareike Kleine, London School of Economics

We invite proposals related to European and politics and society, broadly defined. We welcome proposals on the 2022 meeting theme “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” but we will consider any proposal related to Europe. We are open to diverse approaches, methods and subjects. The section supports a variety of formats, from traditional paper-based panels to roundtables, author meets critics, and extended panels.

Division Chair(s): Celeste Beesley, BYU and Evgeny Postnikov, University Melbourne

The section on International Political Economy welcomes paper, panel, and roundtable proposals on a broad range of topics, including (but not limited to) trade, finance, taxation, money, migration, international development, or international environmental issues. Submissions that address or incorporate the meeting theme — Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation— are especially welcome. We encourage proposals that represent a diversity of theoretical and methodological approaches and interdisciplinarity. We welcome contributions and engagement from scholars with wide-ranging research perspectives. We also encourage cohesive panel proposals that bring together scholars from within and across subfield lines.

Division Chair(s): Sean Ehrlich, Florida State University and Victoria Paniagua, London School of Economics

The International Collaboration division welcomes papers and panel proposals for the 2023 APSA conference. We are particularly interested in papers that relate to this year’s theme “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” For instance, proposals could examine how the information environment complicates the collaborative process or how states and other actors can use mis- and disinformation to their advantage in the process. However, all proposals dealing with international collaboration will be considered. This broad subject area includes, but is not limited to, international organizations, international law, diplomacy, economic coordination, conflict resolution, and transnational advocacy. Proposals that address either international conflict, political economy, environment, or other substantive issues are welcome, as are proposals from different theoretical and methodological perspectives.

Division Chair(s): Stephen Grenier, Johns Hopkins University and Indu Saxena, Rutgers University

Division Chair(s): A. Burcu Bayram, University of Arkansas and Sibel Oktay, University of Illinois at Springfield

The APSA Foreign Policy section invites paper, panel, and roundtable submissions for the 2023 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. We welcome submissions that investigate the multiple facets of foreign policy decision-making and foreign policy analysis, applying and/or exploring a range of theoretical, methodological, epistemological, empirical, and regional approaches.

Submissions that focus on this year’s theme of “”Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” are especially welcome. They might address issues such as the role of the media landscape in shaping public opinion on foreign policy; how social media is used to conduct and influence foreign policy; the nexus between foreign policy and electoral interventions; and to what extent mis- or disinformation lead to foreign policy blunders, among others. Submissions that build a bridge between subfields such as comparative politics, political psychology, public policy, and examine how state and non-state actors influence the broad foreign policy decision-making environment in the current era are also welcome.

The section recognizes the importance of diversity, inclusion, and representation.
We especially welcome submissions from scholars from marginalized and under-represented groups, including but not limited to scholars from the Global South, teaching-oriented institutions, scholars of color, female-identifying and LGBTQA scholars, and early career and non-tenure track scholars. 

Division Chair(s): Alylssa Prorok, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Hyeran Jo, Texas A&M University

The Conflict Processes section invites paper, panel, and roundtable proposals related to the onset, resolution, and dynamics of political conflict and violence. This year’s conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” is an especially apt theme, as the informational mechanism is often a key driver of political conflict. Many conflict actors utilize information, misinformation, or disinformation for political purposes to advance their cause militarily and/or politically. To this end, we welcome proposals that address any dimensions of political conflict and violence. We are especially interested in research that explores information or mis-/disinformation’s effects on conflict processes, how conflict actors manage information or create disinformation/misinformation, and similar themes. Further, we are interested in scholarship from diverse demographic, national, and institutional backgrounds, as well as approaches that might fall outside the traditional mainstream of conflict research.

Division Chair(s): Neilan Chaturvedi, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Monika Nalepa, University of Chicago

This section welcomes proposals of papers as well as entire panels with a focus on legislatures at the national and subnational levels. Proposals may focus on the institutional nature of assemblies or the roles of parties, committees, and speakers, just to name a few. They may deal with rules of procedure or the formation of coalitions, budgeting decisions, or leadership selection. We also invite papers that discuss the role of legislatures in authoritarian regimes or in the context of democratic backsliding. This section is interested equally in research making theoretical contributions as in empirical work pursuing innovative research designs. It welcomes investigations that lead to the evaluation of causal claims but is also open to accepting papers introducing new datasets, methodological innovations, and purely descriptive papers.

Division Chair(s): Anne Pluta, Rowan University 

As scholars of presidents and executive politics, how are we considering rights and responsibilities in a media environment often filled with mis- and disinformation? Do the challenges to democracy posed by mis- and disinformation prompt a fundamental rethinking of how we approach executive power in our research, with our students, and with the public?

The Presidents and Executive Politics section welcomes proposals that take up the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in the Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” We also welcome paper and panel submissions that explore enduring questions surrounding executive power related to democratic transitions, public policy, communications, interbranch relations, and electoral politics. Perennial questions of executive power can also benefit from being approached in innovative ways, and we are particularly interested in proposals that utilize diverse theoretical and methodological approaches. Finally, as executive power is often key in broad areas of political science inquiry, proposals that have a connection to other sections are also welcome.

Please note that PEP will also be hosting a mini-conference on August 30 at Chapman University in concert with this year’s APSA and scholars are also welcome to submit proposals to that conference as well. The call for the mini-conference will be forthcoming, but will very much mirror the call for proposals from PEP for the APSA. We hope to be able to provide opportunities for scholars in either venue. PEP will provide a limited number of travel grant opportunities to graduate students and junior scholars.

Division Chair(s): Jessica Terman

The world is becoming increasingly uncertain in knowledge and behavior. We have to continually ask ourselves about the veracity of the knowledge that we consume. Broader society thinks about this in terms of information and disinformation, the topics of this conference. We welcome proposals that investigate how public administrators are affected by the phenomena of misinformation and disinformation. Included among the research questions we are interested in are how confidence in administration is influenced by misleading public information? How can public administrators counteract faulty public information? And, what sort of methods of investigation might give the public additional confidence in knowledge produced by government? The section more broadly asks for proposals related to research questions associated with the contemporary consumption of public information. And, of course, the section welcomes proposals more broadly related to the field of public administration and this year’s conference.

Division Chair(s): Ping Xu

The Public Policy section serves a diverse community of researchers who study policy to address the big questions of political science: who governs, and to what ends? The section welcomes proposals on all aspects of the policy process and the causes and consequences of government decisions (and non-decisions). These submissions could involve policy development and change, policy feedback, policy diffusion, agenda setting, historical and comparative perspectives on policy, and many more.

Proposals addressing this year’s conference theme – Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation—are particularly welcome. In today’s world, the spread of false, misleading and deceptive online information severely hampers the ability of our society to address critical policy challenges. Misinformation in the time of COVID-19 fuels distrust, fear, stigma, finger-pointing, violence and dismissal of science, directly interfering the implementation of public policies. In the United States, these forces have risen to prominence alongside a pronounced increase in economic inequality and party polarization. In light of these developments, several questions emerge: What are the drivers of mis- and disinformation? What policy solutions can help us fight against the spread of mis- and disinformation? How has mis- and disinformation influenced issues such as immigration, law enforcement, COVID-19, race relations, climate change and the welfare state? How have they altered debates in the United States about trade, fiscal and monetary policy, healthcare, and climate policy—and how will future policy developments in these areas further affect the political environment?

The Public Policy section is open to all methodological and theoretical perspectives. We welcomes diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging collection of researchers, in order to increase diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession. While paper proposals are welcome, we strongly encourage well-organized panel proposals.

Division Chair(s): Christina Boyd, University of Georgia and Valerie Hoekstra, Arizona State University

The Law and Courts Section invites proposals from all career-stage scholars for participation in the APSA’s 2023 Annual Meeting. We encourage a broad range of proposals that highlight the diversity of our field in terms of subject, approach, methodology, data, and/or presentation. Examples of proposals might include rethinking our definition, conception, or measurement of long-held concepts; introducing new data and/or theories; reconstructing our lens on law and courts to include courts and processes in subnational units or across the globe; and (re)connecting the field of law and courts to other subfields. The Section welcomes proposals connecting Law & Courts with this year’s APSA theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Proposals that clearly and concisely articulate the project and research question are most appreciated. APSA offers many different presentation formats, and we welcome a variety of proposals that take advantage of those options. We will do our best to maximize Section APSA participation as we organize panels.

Division Chair(s): Courtenay Daum, Colorado State University and Erin Mayo-Adam, Hunter College – CUNY

Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence seeks proposals for papers and panels that critically interrogate how attacks on democracy and representative government and the simultaneous rise of authoritarianism here and abroad affect constitutional government. In keeping with the theme of the conference (“Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation”), we are particularly interested in proposals that address the decline in constitutional recognitions of and protections for human and civil rights and the consequences of these developments for the legitimacy of political institutions. We further welcome papers that speak to the responsibilities of democratic citizens in moments of constitutional crisis and uncertainty, including grassroots mobilization around rights claims.

Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence is committed to methodological diversity and pluralism and welcomes papers from across the discipline’s major and minor subfields, and we hope to see submissions that enable us to cross list with other Divisions including Sexuality and Politics; Women, Gender and Politics Research; Race, Ethnicity and Politics; Critical Political Science; Human Rights; Migration & Citizenship; and Class and Inequality.

Division Chair(s): Allyson Benton, University of Essex

The Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations Section invites proposals for individual papers, complete panels, roundtables, and author-meets-critics sessions that promote a deeper understanding of politics and/or policy in federal systems around the globe. We welcome studies from different theoretical, empirical, and methodological perspectives, including interdisciplinary approaches and mixed-methods research. We also welcome proposals from individuals with various racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities, as well as from various institutions, professions, disciplines, and career stages.

Division Chair(s): Emily Schilling, University of Tennessee

APSA 2023 considers how political communication via misinformation can alter our political environments, including public opinion and elite behavior and what role we play as political scientists in these situations of disinformation. State politics offers a unique perspective on this discussion, as each state offers an opportunity to look at a different political environment and how false or misleading information can spread. What does state politics tell us about responses to disinformation at both the citizen and elected official levels? Not only that, but the spread of misinformation related to COVID-19 and elections has encouraged political science as a discipline to reconsider how issues of equity influence how we research, publish, teach, and interact with the political world around us. How can new (or renewed) research agendas and instructional pedagogy produce leaders and accountability and prepare an informed, engaged citizenry to confront and recognize misleading information? We invite proposals that engage with these questions, alongside timely issues or policies related to state politics and policy. We also recognize that our knowledge and understanding of state politics and policy depends on fostering diversity and inclusion among scholars. We encourage proposals from individuals of various racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities, as well as from various institutions, professions, disciplines, and career stages.

Division Chair(s): Emily Ferris, Texas Christian University and Eduardo Moncada, Barnard College

The Urban and Local Politics section welcomes proposals that focus on politics within and between states, cities, and neighborhoods. We are particularly interested in proposals that explore questions related to this year’s conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” in local settings across the Global South and North. As epicenters of people, technology, capital, and coercion, local political settings are prime spaces in which to study the origins, nature and consequences of mis- and disinformation. More broadly, the growing study of local politics across subfields and in diverse empirical settings is generating a range of questions that address core disciplinary concerns and ongoing global challenges in urban and local politics. We invite proposals that explore these issues across the discipline’s subfields and in dialogue with cognate disciplines. We welcome proposals which use a variety of intellectual and methodological approaches to advance both our theoretical and practical understanding of urban and local politics.

The Section will accept proposals for cohesive panels, roundtables, author-meets-critics, or short courses. For those submitting complete panels, roundtables or author-meets-critics proposals, please be sure to submit a chair and at least one discussant for all panel proposals and where possible highlight how the proposed session connects with the theme of rights and responsibilities in an age of mis- and disinformation.

Division Chair(s): Mary-Kate Lizotte, Augusta University and Sarah Liu, University of Edinburgh

The Women, Gender and Politics Research Section invites panel and paper submissions that engage themes of women, gender, feminism, sexuality and intersectionality across the fields of comparative politics, international relations, American politics, political theory, and research methods. We especially encourage submissions that build on the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” We welcome paper and panel proposals that use a gender lens to investigate, illuminate, and reexamine political questions in the present era of the court-sanctioned elimination of rights, draconian policies aimed at limiting the rights of historically marginalized individuals, pervasive conspiracy theories and “fake news”. We also invite submissions demonstrating the use of a feminist analysis to (re)interpret political questions, established theories, and methodologies in political science. Themes and topics of proposals might include but are not limited to: social movements, mass communication, attitudes, public policies, elections, reproduction, economic inequality, public opinion, and representation that critically examine gender and its intersection with race, ethnicity, class, masculinity, sexuality, citizenship, national identity, physical and intellectual ability, family status, and carework. We also welcome papers and panels that probe themes across subfields that use a gender lens and that are interdisciplinary and methodologically innovative, as well as proposals that highlight transnational feminism, indigenous feminism, Black feminism, post-colonial feminism, eco feminism, disability studies, and transgender studies and proposals from Global South and BIPOC scholars. In accordance with APSA’s objectives of improving diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, we encourage diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging group of researchers. APSA offers many different presentation formats and we welcome a variety of proposals that take advantage of those options.

Division Chair(s): Maruice Mangum, Jackson State University and Stacey Carter, Alabama A&M University

The Race, Ethnicity, and Politics Division invites paper and panel proposals that address the major themes and lines of research in race, ethnicity, and politics.  We are particularly interested in proposals that center on multi-racial or multi-ethnic comparisons and explanations for the political behavior of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. 

The Division also welcomes submissions that are centered on the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.”  Are people of a certain race or ethnicity more likely to be exposed to mis- or disinformation?  Are people of a certain race or ethnicity more likely to be affected by mis- or disinformation?  When is mis- or disinformation more likely to have an impact on people of a certain race or ethnicity?

The Division will accept proposals for full panels, roundtables, and author-meets-critics panels.  When proposing complete panels, roundtables, or author-meets-critics panels, please be sure to submit a chair and at least one discussant.  In line with APSA’s goals of increasing diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, we welcome proposals that reflect a diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide range of researchers.

Division Chair(s): Sebnem Gumuscu, Middlebury College and Ben Gaskins, Lewis & Clark College

The Religion and Politics Section invites scholars to submit papers, panels, posters, and other session formats on themes that connect religion and politics broadly understood. Among continued interest is religion’s impact on democracy, autocracy, party politics, women’s and minority rights, conflict, and conflict resolution. Keeping with the 2023 APSA Theme “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” the Religion and Politics Section seeks contributions that examine the many ways religion affects people and political institutions when information, reality, and positions are contested. We further invite discussion of the role of religion and politics scholars and educators in countering misinformation and pursuing truth in research, teaching, and public engagement.
We invite a diversity of methodological and theoretical approaches covering any region or country (including the US). We encourage panels that are inclusive of all gender identities, races and ethnicities, academic positions/ranks, and types of institution.

Division Chair(s): Robin  Kolodny, Temple University

The Representation & Electoral Systems section invites submissions that address questions related to Representation, Elections, and Electoral Institutions. We seek proposals that advance our theoretical understanding and/or offer compelling empirical evidence related to these topics. Submissions may focus on any aspect of these broad topical areas. However, given this year’s conference theme, we will be prioritizing submissions related to citizen rights and democratic responsibilities. We are also particularly interested in scholarship with a focus on the representation of marginalized groups. All theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome. We strongly encourage cohesive panel proposals, especially those that bring together diverse groups of scholars.

Division Chair(s): Hye Young You, New York University and Zim Nwokora, Deakin University

The Political Organizations and Parties (POP) section invites proposals for papers, panels, roundtables, and alternative formats (e.g., Author Meets Critics, Café, Featured Paper Panel with 30-minute paper presentations, etc.) on topics related to political parties and organizations, including interest groups and social movements. The 2023 conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” encourages us to examine the role of political parties and organizations in creating, disseminating, and fighting misinformation and disinformation which affect political participation, electoral outcomes, and policies. Political communication by political organizations and parties must grapple with the tricky balance between exercising the right to freedom of speech while embracing the responsibility of providing information to foster democratic values. To this end, we encourage submissions that embrace this theme. Submissions might take up issues such as how features of party politics (e.g., polarization and distrust of parties) and interest groups (e.g., ideology and funding sources) have made dis/misinformation a more widespread and serious problem; how trends in party identification and the rise of social media use by interest groups shape the spread and effects of dis/misinformation; how dis/misinformation has shaped party platforms, elite-mass relationships, political financing and organizations’ lobbying tactics, and election outcomes; and how parties and organizations can exacerbate or mitigate dis/misinformation and its harmful consequences. The POP section welcomes research on a range of contexts connected to parties and organizations, including elections, legislatures, bureaucratic agencies, courts, and policy-making institutions at the sub-national, national, and supranational levels. We especially welcome proposals that engage with diversity in the subjects studied and methods used in the discipline. We encourage proposals from those who identify as a member of an underrepresented group in the profession.

Division Chair(s): Daniel Tavana, Université Toulouse

The section welcomes proposals on a wide range of topics related to elections and voting behavior across different political systems and contexts: on political participation, electoral politics and vote choice, polling and forecasting, political party competition, and campaigns. In keeping with this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” we encourage proposals on how different actors and forms of communication can contribute to mis- or disinformation, on the political implications of mis- or disinformation, and on potential responses and methods to address to mis- or disinformation.

In line with APSA’s goals of increasing diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, the section welcomes diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging collection of researchers. The section welcomes research from any national or comparative perspective, that is descriptive or causal, and that employs quantitative or qualitative methods. (Note that proposals focused on public opinion should be directed to Division 37.)

Division Chair(s): Alexandra Blackman, Cornell University

The section welcomes proposals on a wide range of topics related to public opinion: on micro-level foundations or macro-level dynamics, effects of elite communication and social influence, connections between political institutions and individual opinion formation, and the role of public opinion in the political system. In keeping with this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” we encourage proposals on how different actors and forms of communication can contribute to mis- or disinformation, on the political implications of mis- or disinformation, and on potential responses and methods to address to mis- or disinformation.
 
In line with APSA’s goals of increasing diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, the section welcomes diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging collection of researchers. The section welcomes research from any national or comparative perspective, that is descriptive or causal, and that employs quantitative or qualitative methods. (Note that proposals focused on elections, campaigns, and political participation should be directed to Division 36.)

Division Chair(s): Patrick Meirick, University of Oklahoma

Political communication is at the heart of this year’s conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Political communication scholars are working to explain the emergence of this age, the technological and social conditions that enable it to thrive, its implications, and possible steps to prevent or mitigate the damage it can do. This year’s theme particularly encourages examination of the ways that political communicators broadly defined – individuals, political actors, governments, media outlets, social media platforms, movements, and political communication scholars – are (or are not) exercising their rights or fulfilling their responsibilities concerning mis- and disinformation, how those rights and/or responsibilities come into conflict, and what the consequences are of these actions. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to: viral misinformation, deepfakes, fake news, conspiracy theories, “the big lie,” fact-checking, de-platforming, inoculation/pre-bunking, and government regulation.

Given the APSA’s goals of increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and access throughout the profession, the Political Communication section especially welcomes diverse theoretical and methodological approaches and interdisciplinary work from scholars with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. We invite papers, panels, and roundtable submissions that are theoretically grounded and methodologically rigorous. Proposals should not exceed one page in length and should clearly state research questions, theoretical structure, methodological approach, and overall implications for the field of political communication.

Division Chair(s): Elizabeth Koebele, University of Nevada, Reno

The 2023 APSA Annual Conference theme addresses a topic deeply familiar to many scholars of science, technology, and environmental politics: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” When we study climate change, COVID-19, civil rights, or a host of other salient political topics, we must grapple with the increasing production and spread of misinformation and its effects on politics and policy making. While misinformation may arise from scientific uncertainty, it may also stem from biased information processing tied to our deep-seated values and highly polarized society. Misinformation may be spread unintentionally (and, ideally, be updated or corrected through processes of learning and communication), or it may be wielded intentionally as a political strategy to gain power over one’s opponents (i.e. disinformation).

In line with this theme, the Science, Technology, and Environmental Politics (STEP) division of APSA welcomes proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables that investigate the production, use, and processing of information by scientists, advocacy groups, decision makers, and the public, as well as the development, distribution, and/or regulation of (mis)information by governments. In the context of STEP issues, we particularly welcome proposals concerning the politics of knowledge production; issue-framing via narratives or other communication and advocacy tools; the spread of information through political institutions, communities, and networks; the impact of (mis)information on policy actors’ beliefs and policy designs; the communication, diffusion, and feedback effects of (mis)information; the responsibility of policy makers and other political actors to use accurate information and/or fight mis- or disinformation; and related topics. Studying the creation and flow of (mis)information through political processes can enrich our understanding of how policies are developed; why they may be supported or challenged during adoption and implementation; and whether reform is desired, necessary, or likely.

The STEP division respects ontological, epistemological, theoretical, and methodological diversity and recognizes the value of multiplicity and interdisciplinarity in research. We strongly encourage researchers from historically under-represented groups, broadly construed, to submit their proposals. We also welcome a broad range of theoretically rich and methodologically robust proposals beyond the conference theme pertaining to STEP issues.

Division Chair(s): Heather Evans, University of Virginia’s College at Wise

The 2023 APSA Annual Conference theme addresses a topic very familiar to the many scholars in the Information Technology & Politics (ITP) section: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” The ITP section invites paper, panel, and roundtable proposals in the various areas of ITP and particularly welcome any that focus on the role of digital media and information technology in mis- and disinformation, the effects of digital media mis- and disinformation, and proposals that grapple with the larger question concerning our responsibilities as political scientists and practitioners in addressing and countering mis- and disinformation. 

The ITP section embraces a wide variety of methods and welcomes proposals informed by quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research designs, as well as innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. Ambitious proposals that blend theoretical significance with empirical and methodological detail are particularly encouraged.

Division Chair(s): Elizabeth Amato, Gardner-Webb University

Greetings from the Politics, Literature, and the Arts section!

The theme for the 2023 APSA annual meeting is “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” APSA invites scholarly consideration of the competing values, norms, and rights at stake in public debates concerning truth and falsehood in political communication. Misinformation and disinformation capture the ambiguity present in much of today’s debate in which information can be skewed, misleading, unsubstantiated, or otherwise manipulated.

The Politics, Literature, and the Arts section welcomes proposals that explore today as an Age of Mis- and Disinformation and proposals related to other areas of perennial interest. We welcome proposals that contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access as well as methodological and interdisciplinary approaches from a wide-range of scholarly perspectives.

The 2023 APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition will be August 31-September 3 in lovely Los Angeles, CA.

Division Chair(s): Chelsea Welker, University of Northern Colorado and Nikol Alexander-Floyd, Rutgers University

The Caucus for Critical Political Science (formerly New Political Science) is pleased to announce the call for papers for the 119th Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, held in Los Angeles, California, from August 31st-September 3rd, 2023. The Caucus for Critical Political Science invites you to submit full panels and papers related to the general conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” that speak to the mission of Critical Political Science to make the study of politics relevant to the struggle for a better world. We seek proposals that critically engage this theme from diverse theoretical, methodological, and epistemological perspectives. Under-represented perspectives are especially encouraged. The power of mis- and disinformation complexifies a number of unresolved and urgent crises faced by the planet and its people, including but not limited to, limits on reproductive rights, Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, backsliding democracy, threats to indigenous rights, and fascist and white supremacist resurgences. These crises are also entangled with structural, material, and ideational patterns of political economy and the sociopolitical, including but not limited to capitalism, neoliberalism, liberalism, powerful religious traditions, and entrenched understandings of gender and sexuality. We also welcome submissions that engage the above issues in the context of indigenous, national, and global politics. The Caucus remains committed to all forms of social, racial, and environmental justice and encourages perspectives from individuals of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and gender expressions, as well as diverse career trajectories. We encourage graduate students and junior scholars, as well as established academics to participate in this year’s conference. Though submissions are encouraged but not necessarily required to speak directly to the conference theme, we firmly believe that addressing the above crises requires attention to the material and sociopolitical effects of mis- and disinformation on the ability of political scientists and political activists to meaningfully contribute to building a better world. All submissions related to the advancement of Critical Political Science will be considered. Critical Political Science encourages submissions from all subfields of political science and theory, as well as interdisciplinary perspectives. To apply, please review the full submission guidelines outlined by APSA and make sure to select Section 42. We look forward to engaging with your valuable research!

Division Chair(s): Joshua Shifrinson, University of Maryland

The International History and Politics section invites paper, panel, and roundtable proposals that deploy history – broadly understood – to elucidate contemporary problems, puzzles, and processes in world politics. Our view of history and politics is intentionally inclusive. To that end, the section welcomes proposals that mobilize deep historical research and engage in historically rich comparisons to address contemporary international challenges. We also welcome proposals that make use of fine-grained historical evidence gleaned from archival materials, oral histories, interviews, and/or close readings of diverse secondary/historiographic materiasl in the issue area(s) under study. This approach follows the APSA 2023 theme: at a time when mis- and dis-information are ever-more prevalent, it is more important than ever to bring historical facts and evidence to bear to inform the present. Ultimately, we welcome projects that look to familiar historical events (e.g., the world wars) to address today’s political and intellectual developments, as well as those drawing upon non-traditional historical eras, regions, and actors to improve the information available to scholars, practitioners, and citizens engaged in contemporary debates.

Division Chair(s): Rebecca Weitz-Shapiro, Brown University

The Democracy & Autocracy Division seeks submissions that address fundamental theoretical and empirical questions relevant to the study of democratization, democratic erosion, democracy and autocracy. These questions include, but are not limited to, those pertaining to theoretical discussions of democratization and democracy; the role of institutions, the state, and non-state actors in transitions to and from democracy; authoritarian politics, institutions, and durability; and broader themes pertinent to political change. We also encourage proposals that engage with this year’s conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.”

The division welcomes papers and panels covering any region or country, including the United States, and we welcome single country studies as well as comparative work. We welcome submissions with a range of methodological approaches and from scholars from diverse backgrounds, ranks, and academic institutions. We especially encourage submissions of substantively cohesive organized panels and other organized session formats.

Division Chair(s): Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College and Richard Hiskes, University of Connecticut

In line with APSA’s general theme for 2023, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” APSA Division 45: Human Rights focuses our call for papers on the theme of “Human Rights and Social Contracts.” Rights and responsibilities, sometimes termed duties and obligations, define the fundamental relationships between states and their citizens. Regardless of political regime types, states and citizens find ways to communicate with each other about formal and informal expectations. Whether or not the social contract is fulfilled tells us about the quality of regime under consideration, as well as experience of citizens’ daily lives. The violation of human rights can be seen as a result of social contract breakdown in some contexts, or the logical outcome of a weak or distorted social contract in others.

Yet again, this year brings reports of skyrocketing human rights violations around the globe. The way that the international community reacts to different kinds of suffering is predicated both on the information available to outsiders about that suffering, but also on layers of bias baked into human behavior that translate into policy. Examples of differentiated responses to suffering abound. Whether it is highly variegated US-Mexico border experiences for Ukrainians, Haitians, and Central Americans, or the channeling of humanitarian aid to Ukraine instead of to those affected by famine in Somalia or gang violence in El Salvador, people rely on information to make choices about resource allocation. This is as true for small individual donors as for state ministries, immigration courts, and large-scale non-governmental actors. When mis- or disinformation combines with implicit biases that distort perceptions of ethnic, racial, religious, gendered, political, or other identity-based groups, the result may be a less than equitable system of aid distribution. The consequences of this information and bias matrix may be exacerbated suffering for people deemed less worthy of aid for their human rights violations.

The Human Rights Division is interested in papers that address a range of issues connected to the social contract and information in a human rights context. For example, works that address the visibility of some issues and silences of others; that push us to examine the hierarchy of suffering constructed by international donors; that inquire as to the parameters of social contracts and their breakdowns; and that investigate what social contracts mean for migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and others with contested citizenship situations are all encouraged. This section takes a broad approach to themes considered parts of human rights. We include environmental rights and justice movements and other planet-based issues that affect the ability of people to lead dignified lives. Rather than focusing only on the deficit model of suffering that highlights victimization, we especially look for papers that center the voices of traditionally marginalized actors and open avenues to explore potential solutions to human rights problems.

Division Chair(s): Calla Hummel and Saadia Pekkanen

The Organized Section on Qualitative and Multi-Method Research invites panels, papers, and roundtable submissions on qualitative and mixed methods approaches broadly defined. This call includes conventional methodological topics, as well as associated issues regarding epistemology, ontology, and the philosophy of science. Topics of interest include conceptualization, measurement, causal mechanisms, process tracing, case selection, counterfactuals, collaborative methodologies, comparative historical analysis, comparative area studies, archival research, field research and interviews, focus groups, content analysis, data transparency and replication, interpretivism, discourse analysis, and ethnography. The section welcomes submissions that explore the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of multi-method research designs. Submissions may be methodological or substantive; substantive papers should emphasize how they innovatively harness qualitative or mixed methods. In addition, papers, panels, and roundtables that engage the 2022 conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation” are particularly welcome. QMMR encourages submissions from people who have historically been excluded from political science, including but not limited to people of color, disabled people, gender diverse and sexually diverse people.

Division Chair(s): Libby Sharrow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

The Sexuality and Politics division invites paper and panel proposals in connection with the APSA theme on Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation. In an era where LGBTQ+ basic rights are freshly under attack from right-wing, authoritarian political actors and agendas, we invite proposals that provide analyses on the causes, consequences, and political vulnerabilities attending to and historicizing these emerging dynamics. We welcome contributions to the APSA program from a range of perspectives, and that focus on local, state, national, or international political phenomena across the fields of comparative politics, international relations, American politics, political theory, public policy, and/or research methods. The Sexuality and Politics section considers sexuality broadly to include (but is not limited to) LGBTQIA+ groups, and we encourage proposals representing the theoretical, methodological, geographical, and substantive diversity of our subfield. In keeping with APSA’s goals of and respect for diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, we encourage respect for diversity and recognize the importance of multiplicity in approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging collection of scholars. APSA offers many different presentation formats and we welcome a variety proposals that take advantage of those options.

Division Chair(s): Andrew Kelly, California State University, East Bay and Sorcha Brophy, Columbia University

The organized section on Health Politics and Policy invites submissions for the APSA 2023 conference. Proposals may be submitted in the form of individual papers, complete panels of up to four papers, roundtables, and author-meets-critics sessions. In line with the theme of the 2023 Annual Meeting — “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation”— the section welcomes research that uses quantitative or qualitative methods; that focuses on the United States, global, or comparative health politics and policy; that involves case studies or comparative approaches; that studies a range of populations, time periods, and policy venues; and that comes from both senior and junior scholars. In keeping with the theme statement – which emphasizes understanding the impact of mis- and disinformation on political behavior, attitudes, institutions, rights, and responsibilities, we seek submissions from a broad range of perspectives on how health mis- and disinformation influences health politics and policymaking, and how health politics and policy research may better inform efforts to address and/or control mis- and disinformation in the 21st century.

We are particularly interested in connecting with our APSA colleagues and are eager to receive proposals that lend themselves to being “theme” panels. The 2023 theme, and its focus on “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” presents fruitful opportunities for interdisciplinary and cross-subfield research. In broad areas of policy, both historical and contemporary, and with attention to global and national health politics and policy, the Health Politics and Policy section is well situated to address the influence of health mis- and disinformation on political behavior, institutions, and policymaking, as well as to the discussion of future policymaking efforts relating to mis- and disinformation. Panels addressing the conference theme are welcome, and could include (but are not restricted to) research on the following kinds of questions:

• How does health mis- and disinformation affect political behavior? Voter participation? Policy engagement?
• For example, how does health mis- and disinformation impact access to and support for reproductive rights in the post-Roe policy environment?
• Does health mis- and disinformation differently influence the policy positions and actions of elected leaders depending on the form or type of governing system?

• What can we learn about efforts to address and/or control the dissemination of health mis- and disinformation from the policy responses of national and subnational governments to policy areas such as vaccine safety, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, or climate change?
• Does the policy response to health mis- and disinformation vary across countries or across forms of governance?
• What obligations do we have as researchers (ethically, methodologically) when it comes to evaluating mis- and disinformation?
• In what ways might the designation of health information as mis- and disinformation serve as a political tool? How is it operationalized?

• What factors influence vulnerability to health mis- or disinformation?
• How do past health policy failures, including the history of racist and exclusionary health policies in the US, affect the impact of health mis- and disinformation?
• Are some political systems more prone to or susceptible to health mis- and disinformation?
• Does the scope, scale, and effect of health mis- and disinformation vary across countries? Across forms of government?

Division Chair(s): Zachary Taylor, University of Western Ontario

The Canadian Politics section invites papers, panels, and roundtable proposals from all areas of Canadian politics. We encourage submitters to consider the ways in which their research might speak to contemporary political, policy, and social issues and trends such as polarization, democratic backsliding, decolonization, migration, systemic discrimination, social inequality, climate change, intergovernmental cooperation and conflict, and governance failure. We are especially interested in receiving proposals connect to the APSA 2023 conference’s theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an
Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Methodological and theoretical pluralism is welcomed, as are participants from all backgrounds and perspectives.

Division Chair(s): Justin Gross

Political phenomena are fundamentally relational in nature. Political actors – whether governmental officials, non-governmental elites, or members of the public – virtually never act or even deliberate in isolation. Any thorough analysis of power, the fundamental concept of politics, requires consideration of relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and other entities. Taking such interdependence seriously leads naturally to a network perspective.

The political networks section invites proposals that entail research in any substantive domain of political science that explicitly accounts for such interdependence. Specifically, we invite original research that addresses the relationships among a set of units, be they politicians, countries, voters, organizations, political texts, or otherwise. Given the interconnected channels through which mis- and disinformation spreads, and the tension between rights and responsibilities in the informational ecosystem, we especially look forward to receiving submissions related to this year’s theme.

We recognize the importance of a diversity of approaches to research and welcome papers making empirical, theoretical, or purely methodological contributions. We encourage single-paper proposals as well as organized proposals for thematic panels, short courses, workshops, and non-traditional formats.

Division Chair(s): Lene Aaroe, Aarhus University

The Experimental Research section welcomes submissions on a wide range of topics related to the use of experimental research in all subfields of political science. We welcome theoretical, methodological, or empirical proposals covering a diverse range of experimental methods, including survey experiments, laboratory experiments, field experiments, lab experiments in the field and natural experiments, or experimental reasoning based on naturally occurring data.

We encourage submissions that build upon the annual conference theme “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation”. We welcome research on this theme and others.

We encourage the submission of cohesive panel proposals. In particular, we are interested in panels that a) bring together scholars from multiple subfields or career stages, b) consider a particular substantive area from different regional perspectives, c) integrate different experimental approaches (survey, field, laboratory) in examining one issue area, d) include work from scholars at institutions in the Global South, e) contribute to the debate on the ethics of experimental research, e) address scholar-policymaker partnerships, or f) seek to replicate past central experimental research.

We are especially interested in proposals for roundtable discussions (e.g., to take stock on a scholarly debate, launch new perspectives on an important topic, or connect different strands of work or perspectives).

In keeping with APSA’s goals of increasing diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, the section welcomes diversity of approach and interdisciplinarity from a wide-ranging collection of researchers.

Division Chair(s): Gallya Lahav, State University of New York at Stony Brook and Noora Lori, Boston University

“Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation”

In light of the overall theme for 2023—the ways that our discipline has to rethink rights and responsibilities in an age of misinformation and disinformation—we especially welcome submissions that theorize and assess how the circulation of information affects migration and citizenship broadly constructed. This can include, but is not limited to:
● The impact of information/misinformation on migrant behavior, migration patterns, or host-society reception
● Social sorting and surveillance
● Myths versus reality
● Issues in migration data and index building
● Politicization of immigration
● Media and framing migration
● Borders in an information age
● Climate science and migration
● Privacy and Rights
● Social networks and migration
● Migration regulation and high-tech
● Irregular crossings and smuggling in an information age
● Information/misinformation and refugee resettlement
● Information channels and migration intermediaries
● Passport indices and citizenship-by-investment schemes
We encourage a wide range of submissions from graduate students, junior and senior scholars, from women and scholars of color, and submissions based on research that uses a multiplicity of epistemological, empirical and theoretical approaches.

Division Chair(s): Ruth Carlitz, University of Amsterdam, Chipo Dendere, Wellesley College, and Constantine Manda

The African Politics Conference Group (APCG) invites submissions for proposals that focus on the politics of Africa. We welcome proposals that reflect all areas of inquiry in the study of African politics, as well as a wide range of methodological approaches.

We encourage submissions that speak to the theme of the 2023 Annual Meeting, “”Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.””

The last decade has seen dramatic growth in access to information on the African continent, in large part due to innovations in information and communication technologies. Internet access has increased five-fold since 2010, and nearly one in every three people on the continent are now online. However, major gaps in access remain, with sizable digital divides separating urban and rural areas, as well as people of different genders. Expanded online access has also opened the door to new modes of political interference by foreign actors as well as the spread of mis- and disinformation. We invite proposals that address such tradeoffs, and their implications for governance, democracy, and development in Africa. We particularly welcome submissions from groups underrepresented in political science, especially African scholars.

Division Chair(s): Nick Clark, Susquehanna University and Adam Lerner, University of London

The aim of the Ideas, Knowledge, and Politics (IKP) division is to promote research and dialogue on the nature and significance of ideas and knowledge in political action. This makes IKP a natural home for papers on misinformation and disinformation, but we also welcome papers from any subdiscipline that seek to investigate empirically, or evaluate normatively, the sources and/or accuracy/inaccuracy of political actors’ ideas; the causal significance of ideas for political action; or the empirical conditions that may lead political actors to hold the beliefs they hold.

Alternatively, submissions might critically investigate the epistemological problems faced by empirical and normative researchers when exploring, describing, and evaluating political actors’ ideas. How, for example, can researchers determine what counts as misinformation or disinformation without sinking to the level of partisans who accuse those with whom they disagree of peddling “falsehoods” or “lies”? If nonpartisan research into misinformation or disinformation is not possible, what are the implications for the ideal of disinterested scholarship? Is this ideal a delusion?

As one of the IKP’s key objectives is to promote subdisciplinary cross-fertilization, panel and roundtable proposals that include both normative theorists and empirical researchers will be especially welcome. However, because panel slots are scarce, we encourage potential panel proposers to consult with the IKP program chair in advance of organizing your panel.

Division Chair(s): Nathan Kelly, University of Tennessee

The Section on Class and Inequality supports research on the causes and consequences of economic inequality, social class stratification, and mobility and opportunity. The Section welcomes papers from the full range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives that deal with these important and timely issues. For 2023, we especially welcome proposals that connect to the conference theme and focus on class and inequality. We also encourage proposals that take a comparative perspective and that foster greater engagement between scholars, themes, approaches, and perspectives that may not typically be in conversation with one another.

Division Chair(s): Adam Dahl, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Lisa Gilson, Bates College

The American Political Thought division invites individual paper and complete panel proposals from diverse political, disciplinary, and methodological approaches that explore the conference theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Misinformation.” This moment of accelerating democratic erosion in the United States and across the globe gives rise to central questions: How secure are our rights in an age of misinformation? What duties do we have to confront and correct economies of misinformation? How can we develop our civic capacities in a context where information is a primarily a tool to deceive and manipulate? And how has the current moment been shaped by the long history of mis- and disinformation in American politics? We welcome proposals on any topic, but papers and panels that speak to these challenges are especially welcome. To that end, we encourage proposals on topics such as truth and lying in politics, conspiracy theories and anti-intellectualism, the challenges of a post-truth political culture, literature as truth-telling, democracy and technology, secrecy and political transparency, propaganda and political aesthetics, new perspectives on theories of the public sphere, dissent and protest, and racial innocence/ignorance. All complete panel proposals will be given serious consideration, but the strongest proposals will exhibit a high level of intellectual coherence and feature participants from a diverse range of intellectual approaches and perspectives, career stages, and backgrounds. Chairs reserve the right to add new members to proposed panels.

Division Chair(s): Nadine Sika, American University in Cairo and Curtis Ryan, Appalachian State University

The rise in the number and scope of information technologies, the increasing reliance on social media for acquiring news and the conspiracy theories that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed the increasing role of mis- and disinformation worldwide. Misinformation refers to the dissemination of false or misleading information without the intention to do so, while disinformation is the deliberate misleading of the public through wrong information, either through propaganda campaigns, rumors, fake news amongst or using social media to spread disinformation.
While mis- and disinformation have been on the rise worldwide, scholars of the Middle East and North Africa are often already all too familiar with these important concerns. Politics in many Middle East and North African states already includes significant amounts of mis- and disinformation. State control of media, public speech, rights to assembly, and active state campaigns for mis- and disinformation are widespread. The region has also seen a rise in digital forms of authoritarianism, which inhibit access to information, and increase autocratic regimes’ reliance on the monitoring of information and an increase of internet bots to further these regimes’ legitimacy.
Within this context the Middle East and North Africa section welcomes submissions that engage with APSA’s 2023 main theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” We seek individual and full panel proposals which engage with the politics of mis-and disinformation in the MENA from diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives.
We welcome proposals which engage with different perspectives dealing with questions of: How and why do regimes in the region utilize mis- and dis-information to hijack public opinion? How do regimes curtail political speech, criticism, activism, and opposition? What is the relation between public distrust of the state and of state-backed news media and the rise of mis-and dis-information in the region? How is public mobilization and activism curtailed through the reliance on mis-and disinformation? How valid are public suspicions of the formal media outlets in their regimes and how does this influence the rise of mis- and disinformation?
We welcome papers on these topics and on other issues and themes concerning political life in the Middle East.
In an effort to increase the diversity of our presenters and attendees, we strongly encourage proposals from traditionally underrepresented institutions, MENA-based scholars, and racial minorities. We also welcome proposals that are interdisciplinary, reflect diverse methodological and analytical approaches, or explore comparisons between the MENA and other regions.

Division Chair(s): Leah Murray, Weber State University and Diana Owen, Georgetown University

The ideal of a well-informed citizenry is a cornerstone of participatory democracy. The proliferation of political misinformation and disinformation creates distinct challenges to responsible and effective civic engagement. People find it increasingly difficult to ascertain the quality of the information they encounter in a high choice media environment, especially as reliance on social media for news has intensified. Mis/disinformation breeds distrust in political institutions and processes, increases polarization, and exacerbates partisan gridlock. It can lead people to adopt and defend distorted beliefs about issues, actors, and events. Mis/disinformation can be detrimental to reasoned and civil political debate. Political leaders and digital influencers can use mis/disinformation to drive participation that is detrimental to the polity, such as the January 6th assault on the U.S. Capitol. Conversely, citizens deluged with mis/disinformation may become alienated and disengage from civic life.
Scholars will have the opportunity to explore these developments and the substantial consequences they have for civic engagement at the APSA annual meeting. The section on Civic Engagement invites proposals for papers and panels that address civic engagement in relation to the conference theme of rights and responsibilities in an age of misinformation and disinformation. Broad questions connected to this theme include: What is the nature of civic engagement in a mis/disinformation environment? How does mis/disinformation influence citizens’ rights and responsibilities to engage? What can be done to promote informed and responsible civic engagement in the mis/disinformation age? How can citizens, including young people, be educated to deal effectively with a political environment fraught with mis/disinformation? How can people develop the critical skills necessary to engage meaningfully in political life under the current circumstances? We encourage submissions that employ innovative theories and methodologies that will advance the research agenda on civic engagement. Panels will provide occasions to share exemplary research and provoke discussion that builds upon extant knowledge and explores new directions for the field.

Division Chair(s): Sarah Reckhow, Michigan State University

The Politics of Education in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation

The APSA Education Politics and Policy Section invites submissions on the theme of APSA 2023: “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Education plays a vital role in equipping people to identify false, misleading, or unsubstantiated information, but advances in communication technologies mean that mis- and disinformation can spread faster and wider than fact-based information. These policy problems are cross-national in scope. Every country must manage the need to improve quality of instruction, expand access to educational opportunities, address inequality in educational outcomes, and update education to cope with the age of mis- and disinformation.

Robust discussion of the future of education policy is essential amidst rising partisan polarization, growing education-based cleavages, the threat of democratic backsliding, and corroding trust in government institutions. Scholars of education politics have a central role to play in these debates alongside the wide array of other groups with a stake in education, such as teachers’ unions, business groups, religious organizations, non-profit organizations, and parents. The politics of education in an age of mis- and disinformation requires us to consider freedom of thought and speech, the nature of information as a battlefield, and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Such debates have local, state, national, and international dimensions.

This theme, which focuses heavily on training the next generation of citizens and leaders, speaks directly to the politics of education and education policy. Moreover, the theme touches on leadership accountability, which has been front and center in debates over post-pandemic education. We believe this theme offers rich directions for education politics and policy scholars, and we invite scholars to submit papers, panels, or posters that address questions such as the role of education in producing future citizens, how education impacts political attitudes and beliefs, how people have held school leaders, policymakers, and interest groups accountable, what drives the nationalization of curricular debates, and how schooling and education politics have changed as a result of the pandemic, among other topics.

This section encourages research that utilizes qualitative, quantitative, or normative or formal theoretic methods. We welcome research from political science as well as from similar disciplines, such as sociology and education. Submissions can focus on any region or country. The Education Politics and Policy Section recognizes the importance and value of multiplicity and diversity in methodological approach and interdisciplinarity, and welcomes contributions and engagement from scholars with wide-ranging research perspectives.

Division Chair(s): Jennifer Mitzen, Sebastian Rosato, and Ines Valez

IR Theory Call for Papers – 2023 APSA Meeting

The IR Theory section seeks to build on the conference theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation,” by calling for proposals that think theoretically about world politics, rethink global governance structures, and grapple with the reality of power dynamics in an accurate and critical way, while taking a diversity of voices, perspectives and methodological approaches into consideration. The section embraces all theoretical approaches to the study of IR, including but not limited to, constructivism, liberalism, realism, critical race, feminist, and formal theory. Our goal is to foster scholarship that thinks theoretically, across the regional, topical, and methodological spectrum. We encourage single paper submissions, Author meets Critics panels about published or in progress book manuscripts, and complete panel proposals. All proposals will be given serious consideration, but the strongest consideration will be given to panel proposals with a high degree of intellectual coherence that feature a diverse range of intellectual approaches and perspectives, career stages, and backgrounds. The section is committed to respecting diversity and recognizing the importance of multiple and interdisciplinary approaches from a broad range of scholars.

Division Chair(s): Sarah Anzia, University of California-Berkeley and Lisa Miller, Rutgers University, New Brunswick 

The APSA Organized Section on American Political Economy promotes research and dialogue on the interaction of American democracy and American capitalism. We invite proposals for papers and panels that engage with this topic from a range of vantage points, including those considering the role of federalism and local governance, national political institutions, race, and power inequalities among organized interests. We also welcome proposals that tackle substantive areas of economic governance—for example, the response to climate change or housing unaffordability—and/or that examine the American political economy in comparative perspective or in the context of the international political economy. In keeping with the 2023 theme of Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation, we particularly encourage proposals that cast light on the role of political-economic forces like those just outlined in threatening American democratic stability. The APE section embraces the goal of increasing diversity, inclusion, and access throughout the profession, and we aim to assemble panels that reflect a diversity of methodologies and approaches as well as representation of scholars from a wide range of backgrounds.