Affective Polarization and Depolarization: Insights and Innovations III

The third annual iteration of this mini-conference aims to bring together a diverse group of scholars to explore the latest research on the causes and consequences of affective polarization. The conference will also focus on addressing measurement challenges and methodological advancements across individual, elite, and country-level analyses. Furthermore, it will examine interventions and policies aimed at reducing affective polarization and fostering more cohesive societies.

Convenors: Yunus Orhan (Denison University) and James Adams (University of California-Davis)

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Association for Politics and the Life Sciences Annual Conference

Convenors: Matthew P. Motta (Boston University) and Patrick A. Stewart (University of Arkansas)

The 2027 Annual Meeting of the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences (APLS) will be held on Friday afternoon at the MPSA conference. APLS is dedicated to the advancement of research pertaining to the following broad categories: new directions in politics and the life sciences, biopolitics, life science policies (e.g., health policy, genetically modified foods, stem cell research), neurobiology and politics, bioethics, bioterrorism, environmental policy and communication (e.g., media coverage and public opinion about climate change), genetics and politics, biotechnology, and other biopolitical topics. This year’s conference features new research in politics and the life sciences, along with a roudntable and reception on Friday afternoon.

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Credit, Debt, and Inequality: A Mini-Conference on the Politics of Consumer Finance

This mini-conference extends the work of a long-standing Consumer Finance Working Group dedicated to interrogating the racial and economic structural inequalities that shape the politics of consumer finance (e.g., market access, consumer behavior, and government policy). Now in its third year, the mini-conference is designed as a welcoming space to discuss research ideas and design, share relevant literature, and ultimately think together. We welcome a broad range of research on the relationship between government, consumer credit institutions, and the political inclusion and social welfare of social households and communities. We encourage multidisciplinary perspectives, a diversity of methodological approaches, and particularly encourage work that engages deeply with race, gender, and/or other foundational social stratifications. We also invite the submission of early-stage work – such as research designs or sections of manuscripts – to be discussed in a workshop-style format.

Convenors: Tess Wise (Wake Forest University), Patricia Posey (University of Chicago), Megan Bea (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rhea Myerscough (Butler University), and Zibei Chen (University of Tennessee)

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Democracy and Political Violence Mini-Conference

The Democracy and Political Violence Collaborative is hosting a mini-conference during the 2027 MPSA Annual Conference. The goal of this conference is to provide a space for feedback, connection, and collaboration on topics relating to democracy and political violence, broadly construed, in the U.S. and abroad. This includes, but is not limited to, research areas such as democratic backsliding and antidemocratic attitudes; support for political violence and real, existing violence; and the connection between elite antidemocratic behavior and mass-level antidemocratic attitudes. Additionally, the Collaborative and the mini-conference aims to bridge common divides which is why we accept submissions from all subfields of political science and related disciplines, with no preference towards a specific analytical approach (theory, qualitative, or quantitative research). The day features a coffee hour, three main sessions, a roundtable on the state of the field, and a reception.

Convenors: Sam Fuller (Harvard University), Gal Bitton (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), and Jack T. Rametta (George Mason University)

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Midwest Workshop in Empirical Political Science (MidWEPS)

Midwest Workshop in Empirical Political Science (MidWEPS) brings together graduate students and junior and associate-level faculty using empirical methods to study the political economy of development and governance in the developing world. We aim to convene scholars at universities based in the Midwest (broadly defined) working in Political Science and related fields. This is the ninth annual MidWEPS since its inception in 2018.

Convenors: Justine Davis (University of Michigan), Cleo O’Brien-Udry (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Soeren Henn (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Daniel Tavana (Pennsylvania State University)

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Politics and Political Economy of Eurasia Workshop

This is the eighth annual meeting of the Politics and Political Economy of Eurasia Workshop at MPSA. The workshop brings together scholars of politics and political economy across Eurasia, from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. The geographical scope includes Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Baltic States, and the post-communist countries in Eastern Europe. Panels will take place on Friday and Saturday.

Convenors: Valeria Umanets (Tulane University), Jordan Gans-Morse (Northwestern University), Guzel Garifullina (University of Richmond), Scott Gehlbach (University of Chicago), Pauline Jones (University of Michigan), Ora John Reuter (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Regina Smyth (Indiana University), and Susanne Wengle (University of Notre Dame)

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Politics of AI Workshop

This mini-conference will explore new research on the political, legal, ethical, and social aspects of AI, machine learning, and related emerging technologies. Topics to be addressed may include theoretical concepts and AI; the impact of AI on the public, bureaucrats, and politicians; the political economy of AI; and the ethics of AI.

Convenors: Kaylyn Jackson Schiff (Purdue University) and Daniel Schiff (Purdue University)

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Politics of Identity Across the Subfields

This is the ninth annual meeting of the Politics of Identity Across the Subfields Mini-Conference at MPSA. The goal of this event is to bring scholars of identity from across the subfields of political science – American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory – into conversation with one another. Panels will be held on Saturday.

Convenors: Cara J. Wong (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Avital Livny (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), and Yoshiko M. Herrera (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

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Primary Elections in the U.S. Mini-Conference

The 2027 Mini-Conference on Primary Elections invites submissions on the topic of primary elections in the United States. Papers and research designs may address questions about primary voter preferences, primary election reform, the implications of two-stage elections on representation, or the role of party influence in nominating contests.

Convenor: Colin Case (University of Iowa)

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Representative Bureaucracy Workshop

This annual MPSA workshop consists of a full day of panels featuring new research that is informed by or intersects with representative bureaucracy theory.

Convenors: Austin McCrea (University of Georgia) and Danyao Li (University of Southern California)

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Separation of Powers Mini-Conference

This mini-conference consists of a full day of panels featuring new research on a number of topics related to the separation of powers including personnel, information, presidential politics, lobbying, and rulemaking.

Convenor: Nicholas G. Napolio (University of California, Riverside)

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