PRESENT:

Taeku Lee, Harvard University, President

Mark Warren, University of British Columbia, Past-President

Sara Goodman, University of California, Irvine, Treasurer

Juliet Hooker, Brown University, Vice-President

Vincent Hutchings, University of Michigan, Vice-President

Caroline Tolbert, University of Iowa, Vice-President

Council members:

APSA Staff:

Kimberly A. Mealy, Michelle Allendoerfer, Benjamin R. Fiore-Walker, Dan Gibson, Ben Goodrich, Jon Gurstelle, Casey Harrigan, Kristin Kessler, Alejandra Sampson, Karima D. Scott, Andrew Stinson, Stephen Stoupa.

INTRODUCTION:

APSA President Taeku Lee calls the 2025 APSA Spring Council Meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Lee introduces the consent agenda for Council approval. The consent agenda includes the minutes for the December 2024 council meeting and Editorial Board Changes for APSR and PS Publications. Moustafa raises the minutes formatting as new business discussion. Hooker inquired about the composition of the Editorial Boards. Tolbert and Jenco share practices from other boards and institutions.

McCartney moves to approve the consent agenda, Prakash seconds and the motion is approved with 22 for and 1 abstention.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Lee shared recent highlights from his active engagement in a series of high-profile academic and professional events. He participated in the Teaching and Learning Conference, where he had the honor of presenting both the Michael Brintnall Award and the APSA Award for Teaching Innovation. He also took part in a professional development roundtable at the National Conference of Black Political Scientists.

At the WPSA Annual Meeting, Lee delivered the presidential keynote address titled “Epistemic Institutions Amid Democratic Breakdown” focusing on the urgent need to defend higher education and other knowledge-based institutions. He also announced a significant pivot in his presidential agenda with the formation of a new APSA task force on artificial intelligence and the future of political science. This interdisciplinary initiative will explore AI’s impact on politics, governance, election administration, civil society, and the discipline itself. Lee concluded by expressing deep gratitude and appreciation for the ongoing work and dedication of the APSA staff.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Sara Goodman provided an update on APSA’s financial position, noting that the organization remains financially stable overall, although performance fluctuates due to market variability. She emphasized that APSA ended the previous fiscal year in a strong position. The Investment Committee is scheduled to meet next week, and while no immediate changes to the investment policy are anticipated, the biannual review process helps ensure continued strategic oversight.

Finance Director Stephen Stoupa added that APSA is working on an agreement with a commercial leasing broker regarding office space on the 4th floor. The current tenant is facing financial hardship, and a proposed new tenant, CorpsAfrica, wishes to take over the lease from May 2025 through January 2026, with interest in extending the lease at competitive market rates.

Stoupa also reported that APSA has successfully drawn down the remaining available funds from its NSF DDRIG grant. These funds will support travel grants for 2025–2026 awardees, assist prior grantees, and fund one APSA staff position through the remainder of the year.

Lastly, due to market volatility, both the CFP and TND funds have experienced unrealized losses and have since been rebalanced. APSA’s investment portfolio remains aligned with its approved policy: 65% US equities, 20% global equities, and 15% fixed income. Stoupa noted that he and Executive Director Mealy are finalizing property and casualty insurance renewal paperwork, allowing APSA’s broker to effectively market the policies.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Kimberly A. Mealy delivered a detailed update on APSA’s governance, operations, programs, and strategic direction. She highlighted ongoing collaboration with staff, leadership, and policy committees to strengthen the association’s efforts in response to an evolving policy landscape, including a new Resource Collection: “Why Political Science Matters: Resources for APSA Members in Times of Political and Institutional Upheaval.” Additionally, a member impact survey was recently launched and, within a few days, received nearly 600 responses, with additional feedback anticipated. The survey is expected to yield valuable insights into how the current policy environment is affecting the association’s members.

Mealy also emphasized increased external engagement through participation in key disciplinary conferences and reinforced APSA’s commitment to leadership continuity and strategic planning. She reported progress in staffing, including several key hires, and noted that the HR team is advancing a compensation analysis. Membership has grown, reaching 10,790 as of March—an increase over the previous year—with more than 27,000 total section memberships, reflecting strong interdisciplinary engagement.

She also reviewed recent and upcoming meetings, including a successful Teaching and Learning Conference and the second APSA Virtual Research Meeting. Planning for the 2025 Annual Meeting in Vancouver is well underway, with virtual presentation options available to support broad participation.

KENNETH SHERRILL AWARD FOR EMERGING SCHOLARS

Casey Harrigan presented the proposal to establish a new APSA award: the Kenneth Sherrill Award for Emerging Scholars. Recognizing the best doctoral dissertation proposal for an empirical study of LGBT. This award would complement the existing Kenneth Sherrill Prize, which honors the best doctoral dissertation. The award would carry a $1,000 prize, supported by a newly created fund.

The proposal, originally discussed with Kenneth Sherrill prior to his passing, includes a recommendation from the Membership and Professional Development Committee to adopt inclusive language (“LGBTQ+”) and to expand eligibility to include political theory alongside empirical research. During the Council discussion, Jenco elaborated on the committee’s inquiry regarding the inclusion of political theory. Harrigan confirmed that Sherrill’s original intent emphasized empirical work. The council agreed to keep the original emphasis on empirical work as proposed by Kenneth Sherrill. Additionally, McCartney raised the question of whether the award title should use “LGBTQ” or “LGBTQ+”; following deliberation, the Council agreed to adopt the term “LGBTQ+.”

A motion to approve the award was made by Leigh Jenco, seconded by Sara Rushing, and passed with 17 in favor and 2 abstentions.

FORMATION OF RENEWAL COMMITTEES

Jon Gurstelle informed the Council that the editorial terms for Perspectives on Politics, PS: Political Science & Politics, and Journal of Political Science Education will all expire in summer 2026—an unusual alignment due to prior term adjustments. Editors typically serve four-year terms (three years for Perspectives) with the option to be renewed for a full six-year term, contingent upon a review by an editorial review committee. Gurstelle requested Council approval to form three separate renewal committees—one for each journal—to begin the standard review process.

The motion was made by Sara Rushing, seconded by Leigh Jenco, and passed with 17 in favor and 1 abstention.

JOURNAL PUBLISHER RFP PROCESS - CAMBRIDGE PRESS CONTRACT

Jon Gurstelle briefed the Council on the upcoming expiration of APSA’s publishing contracts with Cambridge University Press, which cover APSA’s three main journals and six APSA-owned section journals. The RFP is being designed to address the evolving digital publishing landscape, including Open Access models and transformative agreements. Gurstelle emphasized the significance of this decision, as journal publishing represents a major revenue source for APSA.

CHILD CARE SERVICES

Kristin Kessler reported that APSA previously offered on-site childcare but shifted to a reimbursement model in 2022 due to liability concerns and changes in insurance coverage. The current reimbursement is $500 per family, with $5,000 budgeted for 2024; however, only $3,000 was ultimately disbursed. Kristin recommended continuing the reimbursement model for 2025, citing financial and logistical constraints, while suggesting improvements in communication and expanded eligibility.

Rushing inquired about user feedback. Grzymala-Busse raised concerns about reduced convenience, currency exchange challenges in Canada, and the lack of on-site support. Kang emphasized the importance of better support for parents and proposed forming a committee or task force to assess demand and inclusivity. Townsend-Bell supported the idea of a committee and highlighted the burden of delayed reimbursement for some families. Warren endorsed the formation of a committee to explore broader impacts, including room capacity and participant engagement. Kimberly Mealy reiterated the Council’s fiduciary responsibility and the legal risks associated with on-site childcare.

Julie Mueller moved to continue the reimbursement model for the 2025 Annual Meeting. Daniel Nielson seconded the motion. The motion passed with 16 in favor and 1 abstention.

Following the vote, the Council considered a proposal to form an ad hoc committee to review childcare options for the 2026 Annual Meeting and beyond. Mark Warren moved to approve the proposal, with Sara Rushing and Anna Grzymala-Busse seconding the motion. The motion passed with 19 votes in favor and 2 abstentions.

APSA’S RESPONSE TO POLICY ENVIRONMENT

Ben Goodrich provided the Council with an update on the current federal policy landscape affecting higher education and research. He noted growing concerns related to academic freedom, potential reductions in federal funding, and diminished access to key data resources. He also outlined APSA’s advocacy efforts, including bipartisan engagement with Congressional offices, public statements in support of international scholars and academic institutions, collaboration with peer organizations, and the enhancement of APSA’s member advocacy portal.

Mealy thanked Ben for his work, underscored the importance of effective advocacy, and reflected on her recent participation in COSSA’s advocacy day. She also reminded Council members of the online tools APSA provides to support member engagement. Lee added that APSA leadership continues to engage in active discussions regarding the scope and future direction of the association’s advocacy initiatives.

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

Kristin Kessler provided an update on the 2025 Annual Meeting scheduled to take place in Vancouver. She highlighted the recent implementation of virtual participation options, developed in response to member concerns. Initially, 15 panel rooms were designated for hybrid sessions and equipped with AV technology; due to increased demand, this number was later expanded to 17. As a result, approximately 20% of all panels (288 in total) will now allow remote participation for 283 eligible individuals.

Key events -including the Presidential Address, plenary sessions, and breaking news panels- will be live-streamed. A virtual registration option will be available to access these sessions. Kessler noted that accepted presenters were invited to update their RSVPs accordingly, and adjustments to the program are now in progress, managed by division and related group chairs. The preliminary schedule is expected to be released by the end of May, 2025.

Nielson expressed appreciation for the prompt response and raised a concern regarding the participation of international PhD students in poster sessions. Kessler responded that poster presentations will be hosted via interactive electronic “iPosters,” which will include multimedia features and be publicly accessible.

Goodman mentioned receiving early inquiries from participants about scheduling. Kessler added that division chairs will begin making final program adjustments within the next two weeks, with the preliminary schedule still on track for release by the end of May. Goodman also requested clarification regarding in-person room access for virtual sessions and the scope of panels available for remote viewing. Kessler confirmed that the 288 hybrid panels will take place in physical rooms with a mix of in-person and remote participants. In addition to key events, a selection of theme panels will also be live-streamed. The hybrid offering is designed to represent a diverse mix of panels and divisions.

Executive Director Mealy concluded by thanking Kristin and her team, Dan Gibson, Karima Scott, and the marketing and communications team for their efforts.

2030 & 2031 SITING

Kristin Kessler provided background on APSA’s siting process, noting that sites are typically selected 5–7 years in advance. APSA is currently contracted through 2029 and has also secured Washington, D.C. for 2032. APSA has issued RFPs and received proposals for the 2030 and 2031 Annual Meetings. Site visits are underway.

Kristin discussed ongoing conversations around APSA’s siting policy, which has historically evaluated locations based on a range of criteria, including cost and welcoming atmosphere, often using Human Rights Campaign (HRC) scores for both state and city. However, this approach has excluded many large, affordable cities in the US due to low state scores, even when individual cities are highly rated. Several members expressed support for broadening the interpretation of the siting policy to consider cities individually rather than being bound by state-level scores. Arguments included improved access, potential cost savings, and sustainability benefits, such as increased availability of direct flights.

Mueller voiced concern about selecting an international location for future conferences, noting that community college faculty often face significant challenges in securing funding or approval for international travel.

Lee highlighted the potential advantages of a city like Atlanta, citing possible cost savings, geographic accessibility -especially for members from HBCUs- and environmental sustainability. He noted that Atlanta could be particularly beneficial for international attendees due to the availability of direct flights, reducing the need for multiple layovers. Tolbert followed up by referencing a detailed conversation held during a recent committee meeting, where there was strong consensus in favor of Atlanta. She echoed Lee’s points, emphasizing affordability and the high number of members in the southern region as key considerations.

Grzymala-Busse raised the question of which cities typically draw the highest attendance. Kristin Kessler responded that East Coast cities tend to perform best, with Washington, DC and Philadelphia yielding the highest attendance figures in recent years.

Hooker emphasized the need to consider additional factors which may not be captured by HRC scores alone. Prakash acknowledged Hooker’s points and suggested that many of the concerns she raised may already be reflected in the HRC scores, as they tend to correlate with broader political and social policies. He emphasized the importance of reaffirming the committee’s flexibility in site selection, ensuring that these broader considerations are accounted for.

Warren agreed with the need to take these social and political factors into account and stressed the importance of Council support in supporting staff as they move forward with planning.

A motion to adopt a holistic approach to siting decisions, allowing for increased flexibility, including consideration of city and state climate was introduced by Mark Warren and seconded by Aseem Prakash. The motion passed with 18 in favor and 2 abstentions.

NATIONALISM AND POLITICS ORGANIZED SECTION PROPOSAL AND RECOMMENDATION

Casey Harrigan provided a summary of the proposed Nationalism and Politics organized section and prior Council deliberations. She noted that the Organized Section Committee had recommended against approving the proposal—a position also endorsed by the Membership and Professional Development Committee. Previously, Council voted to table the decision pending a comprehensive review of organized section policies; however, this review has not yet begun.

Grzymala-Busse requested clarification on the committee’s rationale. Harrigan cited concerns including thematic overlap with existing sections, potential membership fragmentation, and broader implications for panel allocations. Tolbert questioned the overlap claim, emphasizing that the proposed section’s thematic focus represents a distinct and increasingly relevant domain in both Comparative and American politics.

Kimberly Mealy acknowledged the operational challenges associated with the continued growth of organized sections were also acknowledged. While organized sections are a core part of APSA, administrative support remains limited, with a single staff member overseeing finances, graduate student programs, and travel grant coordination. Goodman questioned if the expansion of sections may inadvertently create hidden curricular knowledge and limit accessibility, particularly for early-career scholars.

Goodhart stressed the importance of establishing consistent and transparent criteria for evaluating new section proposals. He challenged the concern over fragmentation, arguing that new sections can function as complements rather than competitors. Lee, with support from Warren, proposed combining two initiatives: approving the Nationalism and Politics section and initiating a broader review of organized section policies and evaluation criteria. Warren highlighted the value of APSA’s section system in ensuring responsiveness to emerging scholarly developments.

Motion to approve the Nationalism and Politics Organized Section proposal, moved by Mark Warren and seconded by Aseem Prakash, passed with 17 in favor, 4 opposed, and 1 abstention.

Prakash reiterated the importance of periodically reassessing the structure and number of organized sections. He underscored the need to balance support for emerging fields with logistical constraints such as conference programming capacity and advocated for a clearer evaluative framework.

Lee added that the committee tasked with this review should draft guiding principles to support more transparent and consistent decision-making by both the Council and the Organized Section Committee. Rushing suggested that the current Organized Section Committee be offered a “first right of refusal” regarding participation in the forthcoming review, acknowledging their initial charge. If the scope exceeds what members originally committed to, broader Council engagement could be sought.

Michael Goodhart put forth a motion to establish an ad hoc committee to review APSA policy on organized sections, the motion was seconded by Mark Warren. Specifically, the task force should:

• • Clarify the role and value of organized sections;

• • Consider the costs of proliferation (in institutional and programmatic terms) of sections and ways to mitigate those costs.

• • In light of the answers to these questions, propose criteria for the approval/rejection of new organized sections and consider policies for the sunsetting or merging of existing sections.

In forming the committee, Council recommends that the President of the Association draw from the Membership and Professional Development Policy committee and the committee on organized sections in constituting the committee.

Motion passed with 21 in favor and 1 opposed.

NEW BUSINESS

Lee introduced the final agenda item under new business, raising a question about the format of Council minutes and the most appropriate approach to recording member contributions.

Motion by Mark Warren, to table the discussion on the format of Council minutes pending further information. Motion seconded by Aseem Prakash, passed with 18 votes in favor and 2 abstentions.

Lee adjourns the meeting.