The Polis Unveiled
An authoritative exploration of the premier professional body for political scientists, its mission, programs, and impact on scholarship and public discourse.
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What is APSA?
Foundational Role
The American Political Science Association (APSA) stands as the preeminent professional association for political scientists within the United States. Established in 1903 at Tulane University in New Orleans, it has since grown to become a central pillar in the discipline. Its headquarters are strategically located in Washington, D.C., at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, a historic building that has housed notable figures such as Woodrow Wilson and Samuel Gompers.
Guiding Principles
APSA's overarching mission is to "support excellence in scholarship and teaching and informed discourse about politics, policy and civic participation." This encompasses a broad commitment to fostering a deeper scholarly understanding of political ideas, norms, behaviors, and institutions. Furthermore, the association plays a vital role in informing public choices regarding government, governance, and public policy, thereby bridging academic research with practical societal impact.
Mission & Scope
Global Engagement
Beyond its domestic focus, APSA extends its influence internationally, notably through the APSA Africa Workshops. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, these workshops commenced in 2008 in Dakar, Senegal, in collaboration with the West African Research Center. They are designed for mid- and junior-level scholars residing in Africa, offering intensive three-week residential programs. These workshops aim to enhance the capacities and resources of political scientists in East and West Africa, providing a crucial forum for supporting their ongoing research in substantive issues, methodologies, and research reviews.
Annual Gatherings
APSA organizes several annual conferences, serving as essential platforms for scholars and professionals to network, present their latest research, and access valuable resources. The flagship event is the APSA Annual Meeting, one of the world's largest convocations of political scientists, held each summer over Labor Day weekend. Additionally, the APSA Teaching and Learning Conference offers a more focused environment for exploring cutting-edge pedagogical approaches, techniques, and methodologies relevant to political science education, emphasizing the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Key Programs
Centennial Center
The Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs, inaugurated in 2003 to mark APSA's centenary, is a cornerstone of the association's commitment to advancing the discipline. Through its dedicated facilities and endowed funding programs, the Center vigorously supports political science teaching, research, and public engagement. It actively encourages individual research across all subfields of political science, fosters collaborative endeavors among scholars within the discipline and across the social sciences and humanities, and promotes vital communication between academics and the broader public. The Center also provides grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to assist members with research costs, including travel, interviews, archival access, research assistants, and publication support.
Congressional Fellowship
Since 1953, the highly selective and nonpartisan APSA Congressional Fellowship Program has been instrumental in deepening knowledge and awareness of the United States Congress. This prestigious nine-month program brings together accomplished political scientists, journalists, federal employees, health specialists, and other professionals to Capitol Hill. Fellows gain invaluable firsthand experience of congressional operations through placements on congressional staffs. The program commences each November with an intensive one-month orientation led by leading experts, followed by chosen placements and ongoing seminars and enrichment activities. This unique initiative significantly enhances public understanding of policymaking and elevates the quality of scholarship, teaching, and reporting on American national politics.
Publications
Flagship Journals
A core aspect of APSA's mission is to bolster political science education and facilitate the professional development of its members. The APSA publications program is meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs of political scientists, whether in academic settings, professional practice outside academia, or at various stages of their educational journey. The association publishes four distinguished academic journals:
- American Political Science Review (APSR)
- Journal of Political Science Education
- Perspectives on Politics
- PS: Political Science & Politics
Specialized Research
In addition to its primary journals, APSA supports a vibrant ecosystem of specialized scholarship through its Organized Sections. These sections are responsible for publishing or are directly associated with an impressive 15 additional academic journals. This extensive publication network ensures that cutting-edge research and diverse perspectives across the myriad subfields of political science are disseminated to a global audience of scholars and practitioners.
Organized Sections
Diverse Research Hubs
APSA members have the opportunity to engage with a rich tapestry of specialized research communities through the association's 52 Organized Sections. These sections are dynamic hubs focused around specific research themes within political science, fostering collaboration, intellectual exchange, and the advancement of knowledge in highly specialized areas. Examples include:
- Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
- Law and Courts
- Legislative Studies
- Public Policy
- Political Organizations and Parties
- Political Methodology
- Religion and Politics
Leadership Legacy
A Century of Leadership
The American Political Science Association has been guided by a distinguished line of presidents, each serving a one-year term and contributing significantly to the discipline's trajectory. This esteemed roster includes figures of immense historical importance, such as Woodrow Wilson, who served as APSA president in 1909, a decade before his presidency of the United States. Another notable leader was Harry Garfield, son of President James A. Garfield, who held the presidential office from 1921 to 1922. The current president is Taeku Lee, and Susan Stokes is the President-Elect, continuing a tradition of academic excellence and leadership.
Recognition
Excellence in the Field
To honor and promote outstanding contributions within the profession, APSA bestows a variety of prestigious awards. These recognitions celebrate scholarly achievement, innovative teaching, and significant career-long impact. The main categories of awards include:
- Dissertation Awards, recognizing exceptional doctoral research.
- Paper and Article Awards, highlighting groundbreaking published works.
- Book Awards, celebrating seminal contributions to political science literature.
- Career Awards, honoring distinguished lifetime achievements.
- Teaching Award and Campus Teaching Award Recognition, acknowledging excellence in pedagogy.
These esteemed awards are formally presented during the association's Annual Meeting, a highlight of the academic calendar.
Sectional Honors
Further enriching the culture of recognition within political science, APSA's numerous Organized Sections also present their own awards. Collectively, these sections confer over 200 awards annually, specifically designed to acknowledge important research and significant contributions tailored to their specialized subfields. These sectional honors are typically presented during the respective section's business meetings and receptions, which are held in conjunction with the broader APSA Annual Meeting, providing a more intimate setting for peer recognition.
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References
References
- The numbers in the list represent the official number for the sections. The missing sections/numbers (e.g. 12) represent sections that disbanded.
- See more on the Congressional Fellowship Program.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional academic guidance, research consultation, or policy analysis. Always refer to official APSA documentation and consult with qualified political scientists or academic advisors for specific research, career, or policy-related inquiries. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.