IAPSS World Congress 2026
May 5-9, 2026, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa (south of Johannesburg)
The IAPSS World Congress is the largest annual event hosted by IAPSS – the International Association for Political Science Students. As a flagship event with hundreds of students participating each year, it serves as a platform to present and discuss research with fellow students from the political science discipline. During the conference, the participants will be involved in a broad range of different activities: attending student-run panels, academic lectures, and networking. This year’s World Congress will be held south of Johannesburg, in Vanderbijlpark, at Campus Vaal of North-West University from the 5th to the 9th of May, 2026. This year’s event will be in-person with a limited number of virtual spots (two panels) available for those who cannot afford to travel to South Africa (by application). Students choosing to apply for virtual spots will not have access to in-person panels or activities. The event will be held under the theme of Academic Freedom.
Theme:
Academic freedom is not an infallible phenomenon immune to crisis. Yet, it is an indispensable pillar of democracy. When we as societies lose academic freedom, the consequences are grave. Threats to academic freedom are both individual and collective threats to democracy. They are both social and intellectual threats to progress. To understand this connection, it is essential to know the meaning of these two words. Cambridge describes “academia” as,
“The part of society, especially universities, that is connected with studying and thinking, or the activity or job of studying”, and freedom as “the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited.”
However, while academy and education are important tools of spreading wisdom and peace they can also become tools of oppression. In the past, principled articles such as the “Lernfreiheit” from Germany, and the “Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom” by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) were taken to establish academic freedom on a structured basis, and to ensure its practice. While these structures may be in place across the globe, we are bearing witness to the disruption of academic freedom in more and more regions, often through intellectual censorship.
Understanding both the fragility of academic freedom and its underlying importance and value, promoting academic freedom is promoting a healthy democracy and a democratic world. The United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes [the] freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” By ensuring that academics express their research and findings free from oppression, a freer world in every aspect can be achieved.
This year’s IAPSS World Congress will focus on such a timely theme as academic freedom and its many intersections in political science, law, and sociology. The theme may connect to many larger topics such as its interconnected relationship with human rights, its physical contributions to healthy democracies, and how academic freedom can be promoted.
With input from advocates around the globe, IAPSS seeks to promote cross-sectoral discourse in order to tackle today’s urgent issues and create a robust framework for the future. With this conference theme, IAPSS hopes to encourage students and junior scholars of political science and related disciplines to participate in this exciting academic discussion. If you have never presented a paper before, this is your best chance to start! IAPSS is an International Association of Political Science students and our mission is to provide them with opportunities to grow.
Subthemes
1. Academic Freedom, Security, and Conflict
- Academic Freedom and Conflict Zones
- Authoritarianism and Academic Freedom
- Academic Freedom and the Press
2. Academic Freedom Around the World
- Global Advocacy/Academic Freedom Networks and Organizations
- Academic Freedom in the Global South
- Academic Freedom in the Global North
3. The Rule of Law and Human Rights
- Judicial Independence and Human Rights Protection
- Academic Freedom, Rule of Law, and Civil Liberties
- Academic Freedom and Marginalized Communities
4. Academic Freedom, Identity, and Gender
- Gender, LGBTIQI+ Identities, and Academic Freedom
- Youth-led Academic Freedom Advocacy Movements
- Intersectional Advocacy
5. Economic Justice and International Markets
- Academic Freedom and Economic Inequality
- Trade and Human Rights
- Globalisation and Local Economies
6. Academic Freedom, Society, and Governance
- Academic Freedom and Structural Inequality
- Governance and Public Participation
- Accountability and Corruption
7. Advocacy and Communication in Politics
- Political Messaging and Freedom of Speech
- Academic Freedom in the Media
- Digital Activism
8. Environmental Advocacy, Sustainability, and Energy
- Climate and Academia
- Energy Justice
- Environmental Movements
9. Academic Freedom, Digital Rights, and Technology
- Digital Privacy and Security
- Tech for Social Good
- Academic Freedom and Rights in Academia
10. Advocacy, Philosophy, and Political Theory
- Ethics of Academic Freedom
- Political Theories of Justice
- Radical and Reformist Advocacy
11. Other
If you believe your topic is connected to the theme of the conference but none of the subthemes, please select this category.
Guidelines for Abstract Submissions
Please send us your abstract in English with your name, your subject of study and home university, contact data and 5 keywords by March 1st, 2026 by filling out the Abstract Submission Form (at the link below).
250-300 words, highlighting the research question, methodology, and significance, and (expected) results of the study. Refrain from using literature in the abstract.
All abstracts will be tested for plagiarism and AI. Both plagiarism and AI usage will lead to automatic rejection and possible expulsion from future IAPSS conferences and other events.
Panel Chairs and Discussants
The paper presenters will present their articles and presentations (individually or in a small group) during the panel before the floor opens to a 15-20 minute Question & Answer Session.
The role of the panel chairs is to coordinate the discussion, maintain proper timing and moderate the Q&A sessions.
The discussants, participating in the panel, will be called to engage in active dialogue based on the topic of the paper.
If you are interested in fulfilling one of these positions, please send your CV, including the above-mentioned personal data, to worldcongress@iapss.org.
Timeline
Visit the “Important Dates” page for more information.
The selection panel will consist of the IAPSS Vice-President for Academic Affairs, the IAPSS VP and Head of Programs, members of both the Academic and Programs Departments. Selected candidates for all positions (presenters, chairpersons, discussants) will be announced on a rolling basis. The final full papers of selected candidates should be submitted by March 31st, 2026.
Registration
Please note that you need to be registered for the World Congress by purchasing your ticket in the IAPSS Web Store. You should only purchase your WC ticket after you receive your abstract decisions and are accepted to the conference.
A valid IAPSS membership is needed to be eligible for participation as a panelist (observers are not required to hold an active IAPSS membership). Purchase your membership here.
In-Person Panelist Tickets
Early bird registration is open from August 1st, 2025 to January 1st, 2026.
|
Group 1* |
Group 2* | Group 3* |
| $80 | $60 |
$40 |
Regular registration is open from January 2nd, 2026 to April 30th, 2026.
|
Group 1* |
Group 2* | Group 3* |
| $100 | $80 |
$60 |
Virtual Panelist Tickets (Limited spaces; maximum two panels; apply here)
Early bird registration is open from August 1st, 2025 to January 1st, 2026.
|
Group 1* |
Group 2* | Group 3* |
| $150 | $100 |
$50 |
Regular registration is open from January 2nd, 2026 to April 30th, 2026.
|
Group 1* |
Group 2* | Group 3* |
| $200 | $150 |
$100 |
*All countries are categorized based on their Gross National Income. The country selected must be the member’s country of residence. Click here to see the detailed list of countries.
Scholarship: The form to apply for scholarship to wave the ticket fee is available here.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at worldcongress@iapss.org.
We very much look forward to your submission!
On behalf of the IAPSS Executive Committee,
