Research Group Workshops Proposal Submissions – Closed
What are Research Group Workshops?
Research Group Workshops are non-traditional virtual sessions designed to foster networking, encourage brainstorming for future research projects, and facilitate discussion and feedback on shared ideas. These collaborative spaces provide opportunities for participants to work together with a focus on generating future political science research and tangible outcomes, such as publications, grants, or programs.
Research Groups offer greater flexibility and creativity in their structure compared to traditional meeting panels. Examples of innovative workshop activities include, but are not limited to:
- Presenting draft research papers or chapters intended for an edited volume, coauthored research book, or special journal issue.
- Collaborating on data collection or conducting business meetings for an ongoing research project.
- Dedicating time to building partnerships with policymakers, NGOs, and practitioners involved in applied policy and outreach programs.
- Brainstorming a shared curricula and pedagogy for teaching emerging or interdisciplinary topic areas.
- Developing a grant application to secure funding for a future collaborative research project.
Each Research Group will consist of the workshop organizer(s), who will facilitate the workshop sessions, and approximately 10-20 participants. Groups will meet for three dedicated two-hour timeslots (totaling six hours), allowing for intensive discussions and in-depth feedback on the workshop’s specific topic. When planning your session structures, please keep the total duration and number of timeslots in mind.
APSA staff will provide logistical support for the virtual workshops, assisting with session organization, participant recruitment, virtual platform setup, technical management during the event, and other related tasks.
Research Group Organizer Responsibilities & Goals
When designing workshop sessions, organizers should keep the following Research Group goals in mind:
- Creating opportunities for participants to share current papers, research, and other projects.
- Facilitating constructive feedback and active engagement among all participants.
- Encouraging collaboration on existing or future research initiatives.
- Promoting professional network development to strengthen participants’ research connections.
- Providing support and mentorship to graduate students and early career scholars in the group.
To accomplish these goals, Research Group organizers are expected to fulfill the following responsibilities before and during the virtual meeting:
- Developing the topic, description, structure, and content of the Research Group and each workshop session in alignment with the above goals.
- Reviewing candidate applications and selecting workshop participants.
- Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
- Leading the workshop sessions, moderating presentations, and facilitating discussions on Zoom.
- Encouraging collaboration and networking among participants, providing comments, feedback, and assistance as needed.
Research Group Proposal Submission Guidelines
The goal of Research Groups at the virtual meeting is to provide a platform for innovative and collaborative sessions that promote meaningful discussions, networking, and research advancement. When submitting a proposal to host a Research Group, consider the following recommendations:
- Describe your Research Group’s topic and how it connects to this year’s virtual meeting theme, “Political Science Research in a Virtual World.”
- Outline the Research Group’s general objectives. These should align with the overarching goals of fostering discussions, building networks, and advancing research.
- Explain your planned session format or propose potential session formats. These should include opportunities for participants to present and discuss research, exchange feedback, and engage in discussions related to the group’s topic through group sessions, breakout groups, or one-on-one interactions.
- Highlight potential outputs or broader impacts on political science you hope to achieve. Examples may include producing publications like a special journal issue, coordinating future research collaborations, advancing grant proposals, or developing practical tools or frameworks for political scientists.
Research Group Participant Applications
The 2025 Virtual Research Meeting will feature Research Group workshops on a range of topics for open to applicants. Accepted applicants will be expected to attend all three two-hour sessions across both days of the meeting. Due to limited capacity and overlapping session times, participants may only join one Research Group workshop.
Guidelines:
To apply, candidates must complete an application through the submission system and be accepted by the organizer(s). Applicants should select one Research Group workshop and submit a Statement of Interest tailored to that topic. There is no word or character limit for the Statement of Interest. Once available, we recommend reviewing the Research Group descriptions carefully prior to applying, as some groups may request specific information in their application.
Your Statement of Interest should include relevant details about why you are applying, such as:
- Current or prospective research projects related to the group’s topic.
- A research abstract or brief description of your work.
- How the workshop aligns with your research or career goals.
- How you hope to benefit from the workshop’s networking opportunities and feedback.