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PSA Annual Conference
Our 73rd Annual Conference, “Political Futures”, convened by the University of Liverpool, will take place from 3 – 5 April 2023.
THE GENERAL CALL FOR PAPERS IS NOW CLOSED!
As you will know, based on feedback from this year’s conference, the PSA and the convenors from the University of Liverpool pioneered a different approach for PSA23. In recognition of the vital role our Specialist Groups (SGs) play in our association, we provided them with an exclusive timeframe to receive papers and propose panels ahead of the general call - which has proved to be hugely successful.
We subsequently invited individual papers to be submitted direct to the Liverpool convenors who will form new panels, and augment existing ones submitted by the SGs, to build a superb conference programme.
If you have any queries, or need any further information or support, please contact us via conference@psa.ac.uk.
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 could include, 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.
Each panel will be held in a dedicated room at the conference venue, as well as on Zoom, with paper givers delivering their presentations both in-person and online supported by a conference assistant. In light of feedback from this year, the Chair (and preferably the Discussant) for each panel must be physically present in the room. We are not planning to accommodate any entirely online panels or panels comprising entirely PhD students.
THE SCHEDULE
- 1 December to 3 February: Early-Bird registration *
- 4 February to 27 March: Standard registration
* Registration fees will be confirmed ahead of Early-Bird registration.
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 will be 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.