Upcoming Conferences of the American Political Science Association
APSA 2025 Annual Meeting
"Reimagining Politics, Power, and Peoplehood in Crisis Times"
Vancouver, Canada
September 11-15, 2025
2025 APSA Political Communication Preconference
As democracies worldwide face rising authoritarianism, illiberalism, populism, and deepening polarization, political communication plays a critical role in shaping these crises and responses to them. Misinformation, strategy and conflict news content, partisan media, and malicious elite rhetoric erode trust in institutions and distort public debate, while digital platforms amplify both division and democratic mobilization. At the same time, journalism, activism, and strategic messaging may offer counterforces that challenge disinformation, build stronger communities, and reimagine participation. The APSA Political Communication Preconference invites research on how communication structures democratic backsliding and resilience; the roles that media, elite discourse, and interpersonal communication play in supporting or contesting populist and illiberal politics; and the ways that messaging, identities, narratives, and digital infrastructures shape contemporary political struggles.
In-Person Preconference: The main preconference will be held in person at the Harbour Centre, Simon Fraser University in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. We plan to include two formats to maximize participation: research paper panels and in-progress research discussions. Research paper panels will include traditional conference presentations focusing on completed research. In-progress research discussions will include shorter presentations dedicated to in-progress research that could benefit from workshopping and discussion. In the submission form below, please indicate the best format for your project.
Virtual Mentoring Opportunity: The Political Communication Division recognizes that travel outside of the United States will be difficult this year for many members of our division. Therefore, we invite graduate students and early career researchers (within three years of earning the PhD) who cannot travel or are uncomfortable traveling to Vancouver to submit to a virtual mentoring opportunity. Those who are interested can submit an abstract describing a current research project (e.g., thesis, dissertation, in-progress paper). The preconference organizers will match the submissions with a faculty mentor who will agree to meet virtually (e.g., over Zoom) and provide feedback on the project.
Deadline: May 25th, 2025, 11.59pm Pacific Daylight Time (GMT-7)
Submission Details: For both the in-person and virtual opportunities, we invite abstract submissions of up to 3,000 characters (about 500 words). To submit, please complete the form available at the following link: https://kusurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeB3Hy7fzAnVCXI
Website: Preconference updates will be available here (https://u.osu.edu/apsa2025/ )
Contact: If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to preconference organizers Dr. Dominik Stecuła, Dr. Patrícia Rossini, and Dr. Ashley Muddiman at PoliticalCommunication2025@gmail.com
APSA Political Communication Section Travel Funding Application
APSA's Political Communication Section has budgeted substantial funds to offset some travel costs for selected attendees of the 2025 APSA conference or Political Communication preconference in Vancouver. Our funding will be distributed through two programs:
SPARK program: To encourage career development opportunities and greater representation and visibility in our field, the Political Communication Section of APSA will be providing some financial support to several conference and preconference participants. This support will be offered to a small number of students (undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D.), with preference given to students from underrepresented groups, broadly defined. Advisors are encouraged to reach out to their students and urge them to apply. If selected for funding, students will be reimbursed for $800 of hotel, travel, or registration costs for the main APSA conference or the Political Communication preconference.
Travel funding: To support students participating in the APSA conference or Political Communication preconference, the Political Communication Section will offer selected students reimbursement for 50% or less of hotel and airfare expenses for travel to Philadelphia. Individual reimbursements will vary but will not exceed $600 per student. Preference will be given to graduate students, section members, and those who are listed in the preconference or conference programs.
For both the SPARK program and travel funding, those selected to receive funding will need to provide receipts for reimbursement after the conference. No funding is available in advance. To be considered for the SPARK program or travel funding, please complete and submit the form no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 31, 2025.