By: Britney Roach, M.A., Ph.D Student in the School of Public Administration, Florida Atlantic University
Attending the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Annual Conference in my first year of graduate study was an important part of learning how to situate myself within the discipline. As a first-generation student, I did not enter graduate school with inherited familiarity about academic conferences or the informal norms that shape them. In many ways, conferences became one of my first structured opportunities to observe how political science operates beyond coursework, readings, and seminars. One of the most immediate and rewarding experiences that conferences can produce is exposure. Moving through panels across different subfields made visible how expansive the research world is and how differently scholars approach similar questions. I say to all, go for it and submit that proposal!
At the conference were topics that I had only encountered briefly in earlier coursework which, now appeared in more applied and methodologically diverse forms. The MPSA conference experience helped to clarify and deepened my own emerging interests in public administration, finance, and institutional decision-making. Attending the conference has also presented opportunities with my interests connecting to broader scholarly conversations. With any conference preparation, one must note, you need to be prompt. In practice, I have found that conferences operate on both formal and informal levels. Panels and presentations provide structured knowledge, but much of the real learning can happens in between the conference sessions. Informal conversations after panels for instance, brief exchanges during breaks, and Q&A discussions often will reveal as much about the field as the presentations can provide themselves.
A simple set of principles I have cultivated that can become helpful in making the conference experience more intentional and enjoyable:
- First, do prepare with intention by reviewing the program in advance and identifying panels that align with your research interests.
- Secondly, do not try to attend every panel, since conferences are most valuable when you prioritize depth over volume.
- Thirdly, do push yourself to engage during Q&A sessions by asking thoughtful, concise questions, even if early on in your research training.
- Do not wait until you feel fully “ready,” since conferences are learning spaces, not exams.
- Always ensure you seek funding prior to making travel arrangements.
- Do use informal spaces strategically, such as hallway conversations and post-panel discussions, where many meaningful insights emerge.
- Don’t underestimate small interactions with other researchers, as they often lead to feedback, ideas, or future collaboration opportunities.
- Take structured notes that go beyond summaries and instead aim to capture methods, concepts, and potential applications for your own research.
- Criticism is a privilege.
- Try not to treat notetaking as passive recording, since the goal is to translate insights into future work.
- Do follow up after meaningful conversations with brief messages that continue the dialogue and always thank those that listen to your research.
- Make it a goal to not let conference connections fade, since continuity is what turns brief exchanges into academic relationships.
Having attended the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in the year of my first year of a Ph.D. graduate program has been less about immediate outcomes and more about orientation. Over time, these practices helped to make the most of the conference experience and less overwhelming. It also has become clear to me, that Conferences become valuable when approached with focus rather than breadth, and when viewed as spaces of participation rather than a space for performance. The MPSA opportunity and other conferences themselves have not only helped me to bridge the gap between being a student and scholar, but these experiences have also helped me to begin to understand what it means to actively be immersed in research.
Do take that leap of faith and submit that proposal to the Midwest Political Science Association’s Conference, it will be a rewarding and fulfilling experience to carry forward!
About the Author
Ms. Britney Roach M.A., Ph. D Student in the School of Public Administration, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33433.
Ms. Britney Roach is affiliated with the Florida Atlantic University as an alumna and current doctoral student in the School of Public Administration in Boca Raton, Florida. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science, providing a strong foundation in political institutions, public policy, governance, and research methodology. Building on this academic background, her doctoral research focuses on public procurement, e-procurement systems, fiscal management, and technology adoption in government. Her work examines how digital procurement platforms shape transparency, efficiency, vendor inclusion, and decision-making within state and local governments. Ms. Roach’s broader research interests include public management, budgeting and fiscal administration, organizational theory, and digital governance, with a focus on the intersection of technology and public-sector decision-making.
As a former instructor of American Government, Ms. Roach has taught modules on U.S. political institutions, public policy, and has focused on civic engagement. She is focused on creating transparent and engaging classroom materials, and pedagogy is a central priority in her teaching practice. Ms. Roach’s teaching approach emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and active learning, with the goal of helping students connect political theory to real-world governance.
She has also participated in two annual meetings of the Midwest Political Science Association, where Ms. Roach presented her research and has engaged with scholars in both the fields of political science and public administration. Notably, the Midwest Political Science Association’s 2024 Conference served as her first academic conference experience. This event played an imperative role in her professional development and growth as a scholar.
As a writer of the following blogs, it is Britney’s hope that others will find guidance and support in navigating their own academic paths.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MPSA (Midwest Political Science Association). Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as official statements or endorsements by MPSA.