WPSA 2026 Annual Meeting Call for Papers

2026 WPSA Program Chair
Carrie Liu Currier
Texas Christian University

Theme: Democracy in Crisis: Challenges, Responses and the Future of Governance

In 2026, we invite you to join us in San Diego, California, for the Western Political Science Association annual conference. With its perfect year-round weather, vibrant cultural scene, and rich history, San Diego provides an ideal location to gather and engage in critical discussions on some of the most pressing political challenges of our time.

Across the globe, democracy is facing unprecedented threats. The erosion of democratic norms, the rise of populism, deepening political polarization, and the resurgence of authoritarianism place democratic governance at a critical juncture. These crises raise important questions about the stability, resilience, and the future of democratic governance. At the same time, academia, long regarded as a pillar of democracy, is under attack. Institutions of higher education, traditionally places of open discourse, critical thinking, and the pursuit of truth, now find themselves at the center of ideological battles and political interference that threaten academic freedom and democratic values. As political scientists we must reaffirm our commitment to intellectual inquiry, resist undue political pressures, and actively contribute to public discourse to safeguard democracy.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Democracy in Crisis: Challenges, Responses, and the Future of Governance,” invites proposals that critically examine these issues both in the United States and abroad. How resilient are democratic institutions in the face of rising authoritarian tendencies globally? What impact do populism and nationalism have on political inclusion and representation? Can fact-based discourse thrive in an era of “alternative facts” and declining trust in institutions? How do global power struggles shape the future of democracy? How can we resist political pressures that threaten to erode our institutions? These questions are intended to spark meaningful debate on the challenges, responses and future of governance both domestically and globally. We encourage members to submit full panel proposals on Democracy in Crisis, or individual paper proposals that discuss these and other topics across a diverse range of sections and methodologies as we come together to address the crises facing democracies worldwide.

Please note: All participants in the program are required to preregister for the 2026 WPSA meeting by December 31, 2025.

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Remaining Engaged with the WPSA After the Annual Conference

The WPSA may only put on a large conference once a year, but it does offer another way to be engaged with other scholars. The WPSA Virtual Communities (VC) Program brings academics together in live online events throughout the year. These events include traditional panels, colloquia, reading or writing groups, social events, and more. Currently, there are ten VCs focusing on topics ranging from Contemporary Feminist Theory to Educational Politics and Policy to Interpretive Methods in Political Science. Each community is led by two or more co-chairs and meets about once a month. All VCs are welcoming new members. Participation is included in regular WPSA membership dues; there is also a VC-only membership. To see the calendar of upcoming events, and to register for one or more VCs, check out the VC Program website at www.wpsanet.org/virtual/wpsavc.php. For general information about the program, including how to launch a VC, please contact Amit Ron at amit.ron@asu.edu.