The International Political Science Association (IPSA) is a scholarly organization devoted to the advancement of political science worldwide. Founded in 1949, IPSA operates as an interdisciplinary, international forum for researchers, educators, and practitioners in the field of political science.
Purpose and Objectives
- To promote scholarly research and education in political science across all sub‑disciplines.
- To encourage communication and collaboration among political scientists from different countries and intellectual traditions.
- To facilitate the dissemination of research findings through conferences, publications, and other scholarly activities.
Organizational Structure
- IPSA is governed by an elected President, a Vice‑President, a Secretary‑General, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee.
- Membership is open to individuals, institutions, and national political science associations.
- The association consists of thematic research networks and sections that focus on specific sub‑fields (e.g., Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Policy).
Key Activities
- World Congress: A major triennial conference that attracts thousands of scholars and provides a venue for the presentation of research papers, panels, and workshops.
- Regional Conferences: Periodic meetings organized by IPSA’s regional structures (e.g., Asia‑Pacific, Europe, Africa, Latin America).
- Publications: IPSA publishes the International Political Science Review (IPSAR), a peer‑reviewed journal covering a broad range of political‑science topics. It also issues monographs, newsletters, and research reports.
- Awards and Grants: The association administers a series of awards (e.g., the Stein Rokkan Prize for Comparative Social Science Research) and provides research grants, especially to early‑career scholars.
Affiliations
- IPSA is a member of the International Science Council (ISC), linking it to a wider network of scientific societies.
Headquarters
- The secretariat of IPSA is located in Madrid, Spain.
Membership
- The association claims a global membership comprising individual scholars, student members, and national political‑science associations from over 150 countries.
Historical Highlights
- The first IPSA World Congress was held in 1950 in Basel, Switzerland.
- Over the decades, IPSA has played a central role in fostering comparative and interdisciplinary research, influencing the development of political‑science curricula, and supporting the professionalisation of the discipline worldwide.
Governance and Decision‑Making
- Major policy decisions, including the election of officers and approval of the annual budget, are made by the IPSA Council, which includes representatives from each research network and section, as well as national associations.
References
- International Political Science Association official website.
- International Political Science Review (publisher information).
- International Science Council membership directory.
