84th Annual MPSA Conference
Thursday, April 1 through Sunday, April 4, 2027
Hybrid Format: In Person at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL or Virtual
All Panels/Paper Sessions, Roundtables, Lightning Talks and Working Groups will Feature a Hybrid Format (for In-Person or Virtual Participation). Undergraduate Poster Sessions will be In Person Only. Learn more about each conference participation format.
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Submit a Paper, Roundtable, Complete Panel, or Working Group/Conference-within-a-Conference Proposal for the 84th Annual MPSA Conference
Conference Program Chairs Shana Gadarian, Syracuse University and Laura B. Stephenson, University of Western Ontario, along with Section Heads, invite you to submit a proposal for the 84th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference, April 1-4, 2027. We welcome proposals that reflect the best thinking in the discipline and are informed by theory, research, and practical application.
Instructions for Submitting or Editing a Proposal:
MPSA has transitioned to a new online system for managing user accounts.
Log In to Your MPSA Account
- If you already have an existing MPSA account, you must reset your password before logging in to the new system for the first time. If your account is associated with an email address you can no longer access, please contact MPSA for assistance rather than creating a new account.
- If you do not have an MPSA account or are unsure whether you have one, Select “Create an Account” at the bottom of the login screen.
After You Log In
If you have not already done so, you will be prompted to review and update your profile information before submitting a conference proposal. Once your profile is complete:
- Select “Visit Annual Conference Hub” from the home screen.
- Click “Submit a Proposal”.
- You will be redirected to the proposal submission system to complete your submission.
Instruction on how to create or access your MPSA account are available in the MPSA Account Creation Process to Submit a Conference Proposal guide. If you need assistance accessing your account or submitting a proposal, please contact the MPSA at mpsainfo@mpsanet.org or (812) 558-0588.
Proposal Deadlines
October 13, 2026: Papers, Roundtables, Complete Panels, and Working Groups/Conferences-within-a-Conference
December 1, 2026: Subfields and Undergraduate Sections
We look forward to welcoming you to the 84th Annual MPSA Conference, whether in person or virtually, in April. Thank you for your continued support of the MPSA and your engagement with the political science discipline.
Offer to Serve as a Chair or Discussant
Please consider volunteering your expertise and supporting colleagues in the discipline by serving as a chair or discussant at the MPSA Annual Conference.
Professional-level participants may volunteer to serve as a chair or discussant. Second-year graduate students may volunteer to serve as discussants for undergraduate sessions. Please note that poster sessions are available for in-person participation only; no virtual option is available.
To volunteer, you must be logged in to your MPSA account using your username and password. All volunteers must also have a complete account profile before signing up for a chair or discussant role. If your profile is incomplete, you will be prompted to update it before proceeding.
After logging in:
- Click “Annual Conference Hub” on the home screen.
- Select “Volunteer to be a Chair or Discussant”. You will be redirected to the proposal system.
- In the proposal system, click “Volunteer to be a Chair or Discussant for a Section.”
For additional information about chair, discussant, and other conference participation roles, please see the MPSA conference session formats and role descriptions.
Organize a Working Group/Conference-within-a-Conference
Individuals holding a Ph.D. may submit a proposal to convene a conference-within-a-conference, or multiple organized sessions related to a single theme, topic, or area of study. Proposals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The convenor(s) are responsible for recruiting participants, organizing them into sessions, and facilitating communication and cooperation within the group. MPSA staff will assign meeting space, provide for the logistical needs of the group, maintain a roster of participants, help to promote the event, and work with the convenor(s) to accommodate scheduling requests. This is an excellent opportunity for cohorts to gather around specific areas of study that may not be well-represented in the normal conference sections, or to develop specific projects like an edited volume.
If you are interested in organizing a Working Group or Conference-within-a-Conference at the 2027 MPSA Conference, please download and fill out this proposal form and return the completed form to Lewis Hoss at hoss@mpsanet.org. Please note the scheduling policy for Working Groups and Conferences-within-a-Conference prior to submitting your request.
Schedule a Meeting or Reception at the Conference
MPSA intends to hold some networking sessions, meetings and receptions. Attendees are also invited to propose meetings, receptions and networking events for the conference. If your group needs to arrange for a meeting, reception, or catered meal in conjunction with the 2027 MPSA Annual Conference, complimentary meeting and reception space is available to our professional colleagues on a first-to-ask, first-to-receive basis. If your group needs to arrange for a function at the conference, please contact MPSA Conference Administrator, Bonnie Van Deventer (vandeventer@mpsanet.org).
Exhibit, Sponsor or Advertise
We invite you to secure your chance to share information about your organization, its books, products and services, and network with members and attendees through exhibiting, advertising and sponsorship opportunities throughout the conference. We have some great bundle deals featuring options to get in front of conference attendees, expanding your outreach and visibility to more professionals in the political science community. For questions or assistance, please contact MPSA Professional Development Manager, Lewis Hoss, Ph.D. at hoss@mpsanet.org or (812) 558-0588, ext. 13.
About the MPSA Annual Conference
The MPSA Annual Conference is one of the largest political science conferences in the discipline with over 1,000 panels, a large exhibit hall, and a variety of networking and professional development activities. The conference historically averages more than 4,000 attendees from across the US and over 60 countries around the world representing 80+ political interest areas. The conference brings together scholars, researchers and decision makers in the political science community to exchange information and address the latest scholarship in political science.
The conference has the international and multidisciplinary research collaboration opportunities you seek and the networking opportunities and professional development sessions tailored to help you take the next step with your research.
Hybrid Session Formats and Real Time Sessions
The 84th Annual MPSA Conference will feature a hybrid session format for all Panel/Paper sessions, Roundtables, Lightning Talks and Working Groups. Sessions will be broadcast online in real time. Panels may consist of individuals participating in-person, online, or a mixture of both. Poster sessions and Receptions and Networking Events are available for in-person participation only. Each format is described in detail here.
In-Person Conference Participation
In-Person Participation. All conference events, including research panels, networking and mentoring receptions, will be held at the historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel. For those participating in-person, hotel rooms will be available at various price points at the Palmer House and at multiple nearby hotels. Featuring two international airports (ORD and MDW), Chicago is one of just FIVE cities on Earth with direct air service to all inhabited continents – traveling to Chicago couldn’t be easier!
Presenter Registration Status Flexibility
If you register for in-person attendance and are unable to travel, you can change your registration status to virtual if you are participating on a session featuring a hybrid format (Panel/Paper sessions, Roundtables, Lightning Talks and Working Groups). You may also switch your registration status from virtual to in person as needed. If you have a participatory role (presenter, chair, discussant) on an undergraduate poster session, you will not be able to switch your registration status from in person to virtual as this session type is available for in-person participation only. Adjustments to registration pricing (based on in-hotel, out-hotel, and virtual) will be processed accordingly. If a balance is due, your registration will not be updated until the balance is paid in full. Any refunds due to registration status changes will be issued after the conference.
Conference Policies
The Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) is committed to providing a safe, harassment-free, hospitable and productive meeting environment for everyone attending our events, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, religion or belief. All conference participants must agree to abide by the MPSA Code of Conduct at Events as well as the MPSA Streaming and Recording Policy.
About the MPSA
Home of the American Journal of Political Science (AJPS), one of the top-ranked academic journals in the discipline, the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) was founded in 1939 and is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship in all areas of political science.
The purposes of the MPSA are to promote the professional study and teaching of political science, to facilitate communications between those engaged in such study, and to develop standards for and encourage research in theoretical and practical political problems.
As such, MPSA is a nonpartisan association. It does not support political parties or candidates.
Questions?
Please contact MPSA staff at mpsainfo@mpsanet.org.
Future MPSA Conference Dates
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- Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2, 2028
- Thursday, April 19 – Sunday, April 22, 2029
- Thursday, March 28 – Sunday, March 31, 2030