2026 APSA Department Chairs Mini-Conference
Theme: “Strengthening Political Science Departments“

APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition | Boston, MA | Friday, September 4, 2026

The proposal submission system is CLOSED.

Join political science departments for the 2026 Department Chairs Mini-Conference and Luncheon to be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, during the 122nd APSA Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

For the past two years, APSA has organized a half-day mini-conference to provide political science departments with a forum to discuss significant issues affecting the discipline and engage in peer-to-peer collaboration. The 2026 mini-conference will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

2026 Theme: Strengthening Political Science Departments

Higher education has changed dramatically in recent years, and yet the importance and value of a political science education has never been more apparent.

  • How are political science chairs, graduate directors, and undergraduate coordinators revitalizing and reimagining their programs and curriculum?
  • What strategies are political science departments using to strengthen their programs in the 21st century?

About the Call for Proposals
We seek proposals that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Resources for departmental leadership
  • Best practices to recruit and sustain undergraduate enrollment
  • Undergraduate curriculum and teaching
  • Hiring, tenure, and promotion
  • External reviews, strategic planning, and assessments
  • Resources to support and strengthen academic freedom of speech
  • Helping graduate students enter careers beyond the academy
  • Approaches to improve accessibility and belonging in the discipline

Submissions may take the form of multiple formats:

30-Minute Lightning Session This format should include a brief professional development presentation, with 15-20 minutes for audience engagement. Lightning sessions would be combined with other lightning sessions.
Roundtable A roundtable proposal is a discussion format session. Participants agree on a specific topic to discuss and debate, and identify learning objectives for the audience. You must submit a session title and all participant details.
Workshop A workshop features a single presenter who leads a deep dive on a focused topic. The workshop should provide participants with best practices, hands-on experience, and pre-determined learning objectives.

Honoraria

The APSA Departmental Services Committee is pleased to offer honoraria to accepted presenters upon completion of their mini-conference event. Honoraria:

  • Lightening Presentation – $300 honorarium
  • Roundtable Presenter – $300 honorarium
  • Workshop Leader – $500 honorarium

Submission Instructions

  • Proposals submissions are CLOSED. The submission deadline was January 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
  • Please note: Submitting to the Department Chairs Mini-Conference is exempt from the two-submission rule and can constitute a third submission.

Frequently Questions

  1. Who will review the proposals? The APSA Departmental Service Committee will review the proposals and make all decisions about the mini-conference’s program.
  2. When will applicants be notified of the Departmental Service Committee’s decision? APSA will contact all applicants by mid-February 2026.
  3. Is there any additional costs to attend the mini-conference? All attendees must register for the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition. There is no additional cost to attend.
  4. Do you have to be an active department chair to apply? No. You do not have to be a department chair to apply.
  5. Who is eligible to apply? Any political scientist who is prepared to contribute to topics and discussions important to political science departments.
  6. How important is institutional diversity? Political science departments cover the range of institutional types in higher education. Roundtables and workshops should reflect the wide variety of political science departments and programs.
  7. Do I need to attend the entire mini-conference? No. While you are welcome to participate in the whole program, it is not required.
  8. If my proposal is accepted, will the time conflict with my other APSA responsibilities? APSA staff will work to prevent scheduling conflicts.
  9. Who can I contact if I have any questions? Please write Bennett Grubbs, APSA’s Associate Director of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development, at bgrubbs@apsanet.org

View past APSA Department Chairs’ Mini-Conferences and Chairs’ Roundtables below: