The Academic Department of IAPSS constitutes the academic pillar of the Association. It is designed to offer a number of unique opportunities for students of political science and related disciplines to develop their skills in academic research, writing, and presentation at conferences and other events.
The work of the Academic Department offers multifold ways for students to get involved and further develop academic experiences such as publishing in different formats and other important skills. We operate two journals (Politikon and Encuentro Latinoamericano), one blog (A Different View), Student Research Committees, a Think Tank, and Delegations. For each branch, one IAPSS Board member (a Coordinator or an Editor-in-Chief) is responsible, together with the Head of the Department.
The two IAPSS journals (the flagship journal Politikon with a general focus and Encuentro Latinoamericano, which focuses on Latin American Studies) run a double-blind peer review process, as any professional journal. This, together with the expertise of the Editorial Boards, the Advisory Committee members, and the Paper Submission Guidelines ensures that each issue includes a number of high-quality articles, written predominantly by students and junior researchers.
Those who are interested in contributing with shorter reflection pieces can apply to join the Authorial Board of our blog ‘A Different View’ or submit a guest contribution to it. Each year, a competitive Call for Applications is launched to select a small group of graduate or postgraduate students or more experienced junior researchers who will work together on a prescribed general theme, helped by the Academic Coordinator. The Student Research Committees offer another range of opportunities to IAPSS members. After a successful application process, students and junior researchers can become members of an IAPSS SRC focused on a particular subfield in political science and related disciplines. Within the SRC, they interact with other individuals with similar interests, work together with the other members on papers and other forms of research outputs, and form panels for the IAPSS conferences as well as conferences held by IAPSS’ partner organizations.
Last but not least, IAPSS Delegations are a prime outcome of the partnership of IAPSS with renowned academic and professional associations, such as IPSA (International Political Science Association), ECPR (European Consortium for Political Research), ISA (International Studies Association), or UACES (Academic Association for Contemporary European Studies). IAPSS panels at the conferences of these organizations feature selected work of the Academic Department affiliates and if capacity allows, separate Calls for Applications are launched for applicants who wish to submit abstracts for these panels.
For general inquiries please feel free to contact the Head of the Academic Department Team at academic@iapss.org
Harshul Singh is an International Politics Master’s graduate from SOAS, University of London, where he is currently pursuing his studies in Advance Research. Prior to his election as Head of the Academic Department, he was the IAPSS General Research Coordinator, working closely with its Student Research Committees and Think Tank. He has served as a Research Associate and Analyst for various youth-led global university research projects and organisations aimed at public policy and political discourse engagements in South Asia. His current research revolves around the discourse of Nationalism in India concerning caste and Dalit epistemology in social science academia. He has read Political Science from the University of Delhi and holds a Diploma in International Affairs and Diplomacy. He has also published papers and editorials and featured articles covering socio-economic and political issues at various places. He upholds an appreciative perspective on issues and things in academia to bring out critical and dynamic contrasts.
Dr Anya Kuteleva
Editor-in-Chief of Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science 
politikonjournal@iapss.org
Anya Kuteleva is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work intertwines international relations, development studies, energy security, and feminist-informed approaches to politics. Her research centers on the nexus between politics and sociocultural contexts in international relations and develops a cross-disciplinary methodological toolkit around the concept of discursive politics. She is particularly interested in politics in China, Russia, Canada, and the Central Asian region. In 2022, she joined the University of Wolverhampton (UK) as a senior lecturer in International Relations. Previously, she obtained a PhD in Political Science from the University of Alberta (Canada) and held a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (Russia). She is the author of China’s Energy Security and Relations with Petrostates: Oil as an Idea (Routledge 2021) and published articles in leading academic journals, including Europe-Asia Studies, Eurasian Geography and Economics, Problems of Post-Communism, European Journal of International Security, and Energy Research & Social Science.
Dr Rafael Plancarte
Editor-in-Chief of Encuentro Latinoamericano: Revista de Ciencia Politica 
ela@iapss.org
Rafael Plancarte holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Since 2012 he has been a professor of social sciences at the Autonomous University of Queretaro. His research interests revolve around democratization processes in Latin America, extended rational choice theory, game theory, public choice theory, and political economy. He was a member of the Editorial Board of Politikon. He has received distinctions for his academic career in Mexico.
Dr Meenakshi Bansal
Chair, Gender & Identity Student Research Committee 
hrgschair.src@iapss.org
Dr. Meenakshi Bansal is employed at the Postgraduate Department of Political Science at JVMGRR College in Charkhi Dadri (Haryana), India. She is also serving as Chair of the Gender & Identity SRC of IAPSS. She is a driven professional and an ambitious scholar. She has an outstanding academic record and was awarded a University Research Scholarship (URS) by M. D. University for the Ph.D. programme from 2012 to 2015.
Additionally, she received the Global South Award 2018 from the International Political Science Association (Canada) at the 25th World Congress of Political Science. She serves as a reviewer for the journal Asian Social Science, Canada. She has been a lifetime member of the Indian Political Science Association and a former member of the International Political Science Association (Canada).
Gender Studies is one of her specialties. She has a strong interest in research and has written extensively on a variety of topics. Her writings have been presented at national and international seminars and conferences both in India and abroad, and she has published research papers and book chapters in reputable journals and book publications both at home and abroad.
Lisa Carroll
Chair, Political Theory Student Research Committee 
ptchair.src@iapss.org
Lisa Carroll is an academic proofreader and editor with 3 years of experience. She holds a BA in Politics, International Relations, and Philosophy from University College Dublin, Ireland and is working to complete her MSc in Sustainability Studies at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. Lisa‘s academic work has spanned political science and transdisciplinary social sciences, focussing primarily on issues of sustainability and climate change.
Soumya Tiwari
Chair, Asia & Oceania Student Research Committee 
aochair.src@iapss.org
Soumya Tiwari is currently pursuing FPM Doctoral Research in International Business at FORE School of Management. She also possesses a Postgraduate degree in International Relations, Public Relations, Public Policy and Administration and Foreign Policy. Soumya has experience in corporate and academic environments in positions of significant responsibility. She has done exemplary Internship opportunities, as well as community volunteerism.
Tiago is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in European Union Law at the University of Minho, from which he also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Since his secondary school years, he has been actively involved in student activism and the defence of student interests. He strengthened this involvement during his higher education by participating in various university bodies and associations. These include the Academic Association of the University of Minho, the Political Science Students’ Association, the Pedagogical Council of the School of Economics and Management, the School Council of the School of Law, the Academic Senate, which involved engaging in various committees and working groups, as well as the Disciplinary Council of the University of Minho. Currently, Tiago is involved in projects with the National Youth Council of Portugal and actively participates in volunteer work. His research interests focus on European affairs, public policies and governance, participation, democracy, and elections. He has already published an article in a renowned Portuguese scientific journal on youth participation in European elections.
