Our 73rd Annual Conference – “Political Futures”, convened by the University of Liverpool, will take place from 3 – 5 April 2023.
The final conference programme for PSA23, including the three-day schedule and venues map is now available. This programme includes details and times of the panels, roundtables, Keynotes, Specialist Group meetings and conference events.
If you are an online/digital delegate for the PSA23 conference, please follow this guidance on how to join our hybrid panels, roundtables and other events!
The Conference Brochure is also available, with lots of useful information about the universities and the people involved in bringing PSA23 to you. It also includes information about the keynote speakers, highlighted events to look out for, our publishing events and our exhibitors. It also has a list of great places to eat and drink close to the conference venues – with many recommendations from our colleagues in Liverpool – so do take a look!
The conference is taking place at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, with checking in to the event located central to both universities at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
The PSA and the convenors from the University of Liverpool have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of abstracts submitted, both to the Specialist Groups and through the Open Call, and this conference promises to be one of the most exhilarating ever!
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
A series of global political shocks in the early 2020s triggered intense discussion of future political orders, priorities and possibilities. Covid-19, COP26, the war in Ukraine and the current climate within UK government all underline the limitations of contemporary politics – while providing stark reminders of how today’s political actions will shape humanity’s future.
The University of Liverpool welcomed submissions relating to political futures in the broadest sense. Such contributions included, but were not limited to:
- utopias and dystopias in political theory
- the possible futures of democracy and authoritarianism
- the impact of technological change on political systems
- long- versus short-term thinking in political debate
- the challenges of ‘future-proofing’ in public policy
- generational change and its potential political impact
- fictional and artistic visions of future politics
- future political responses to critical risks and vulnerabilities
- the future of political science and international relations as academic disciplines
THE FORMAT
Building on the successful format introduced in York for PSA 2022, we are offering a ‘hybrid’ event whereby paper givers, and others, can attend in person or online. Remote attendance will enable access by those PSA members, as well as international scholars, who may find attending an in-person conference challenging. We are hoping to welcome approximately 600+ in-person guests and to accommodate up to 200 digital delegates.
Liverpool will provide an ideal location of relevance to the theme of PSA23: a port city that once pointed to the future, fell victim to a global order that it helped create, and whose past and future continually collide in its present-day political debates about heritage versus development.
The convening team is led by Professor of Politics, Stuart Wilks-Heeg. Dean of School, Professor Alison Fell said: “We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Liverpool to consider what the politics of the future may look like and humanity’s scope to address the challenges that lie ahead.”
Chair of the PSA, Professor Roger Awan-Scully, added: “Liverpool will provide the perfect setting for PSA23. I am already looking forward to the chance for us all to meet in this wonderful city.”
We thank our lead partners SAGE Publishing for their sponsorship.