Abstract
Exciting Plans and Record Numbers for 2019 Annual Meeting in San Diego
The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association (WPSA) is shaping up to be the largest and most dynamic in its history. There are 352 panels scheduled for the meeting—a record number—along with a diverse array of mini-conferences, workshops, guest speakers, and other special events. The meeting will be held at the Manchester Hyatt in San Diego, California, from Thursday, April 18, through Saturday, April 20, 2019. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Politics of Climate Change.”
Program Chair Jamie Mayerfeld and the Program Section Chairs have assembled a broad and inclusive program. In addition to the regular panels, there are six conferences taking place within our conference: Algorithmic Politics, Asian Pacific American Politics, Autocratic Politics, Community College: The Unsung Hero of Higher Education, Politics of Mindful Revolution, and Subnational Environmental Governance.
As in previous years, there will be workshops on Environmental Political Theory, Feminist Theory, Interpretive Methods and Methodologies, and Latino Politics on the day before the conference (Wednesday, April 17). In addition to these traditional parts of the program, the Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession is developing a workshop on “Gender, Inclusion and Exclusion in Political Science.” There will be a workshop on Philosophy Camp, a program on how to teach children about political theory. As of press time, we were also in discussion about hosting a workshop on Teaching and Learning.
There are several valuable events that will be tied to this year’s timely theme. The Pi Sigma Alpha address will be given by Janet Napolitano, the former Secretary of Homeland Security and current president of the University of California system. Napolitano is a prominent leader in the global fight against climate change; she will be talking about the work she has been doing to address this major issue. Her talk is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at noon. It is being co-sponsored by the UCSD Center on Global Justice. In addition, the American Political Science Association (APSA) office on Professional Development has organized a roundtable on “Strategies for Engaging the Public on Climate Change,” which will focus on approaches for increasing public knowledge and engagement in climate change. Panelists will include representatives from the press, non-profit organizations, local government, and political scientists. There are some twenty-eight panels throughout the conference on climate change and politics, along with numerous individual papers. One of the panels particularly worth attending is on “Political Science and Climate Change: The State of the Discipline,” which has been organized by Michael Ross of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There is also the mini-conference on Subnational Environmental Governance.
Of course, the WPSA meeting brings together a broad collection of papers and panels on all topics and across all subfields within the discipline. One of the highlights of the program unrelated to the conference’s theme is a talk by APSA President Roger Smith, which will be given on Friday, April 19, at noon.
The University of San Diego (USD) has once again offered to serve as the local host. Cory Gooding and Timothy McCarty, both professors in the USD Department of Political Science and International Relations, are the local arrangements co-chairs.
Changes in the WPSA Executive Council
Jane Junn, University of Southern California, is serving as WPSA President through the April 2019 meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Jamie Mayerfeld, University of Washington, will assume the presidency of the WPSA. Jessica LaVariega Monforti, California Lutheran University, will become the new Program Chair. The following individuals have been elected to the Executive Council for the term 2019–2022: Mario Guerrero, California Polytechnic University, Pomona; Natalie Masouka, Tufts University; Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, Arizona State University; and Shirin Deylami, Western Washington University. Their terms begin immediately prior to the San Diego conference. In addition, Jason Casellas, University of Houston, will begin a three-year term as Recording Secretary in April. He is the first male association member to serve in that position.
The terms of the following Executive Council members will conclude immediately prior to the San Diego meeting: Andrew Aoki, Augsburg University; Maruice Mangum, Texas Southern University; Ricardo Ramirez, University of Notre Dame; and Lorrie Frasure-Yokley, UCLA. The Association thanks them for their valuable service.
Planning Begins for 2020 Los Angeles Meetings
The Program Committee for the 2020 WPSA Annual Meeting is now being formed by the incoming Program Chair, Jessica LaVariega Monforti, California Lutheran University. A listing of the 2020 Program Committee will appear by June on the WPSA website. The meeting will be held at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. Situated near Staples Center, the hotel is located in a lively and burgeoning neighborhood right in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant cities. Turnout is expected to continue to grow, so we encourage you to join us for what will be another great conference.
Following the Los Angeles conference, the 2021 meeting will be held at the beautiful and brand-new Hyatt Regency near the Space Needle in Seattle. In 2022, the Association will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. The conference will be held that year at the Hilton in downtown Portland.