Professional Development Roundtables

After Tenure: How to Flourish in Your Mid-Career and Beyond
Achieving promotion with tenure is a significant milestone, but what comes next? This roundtable will explore how academics can thrive in the post-tenure stage of their career by setting new goals, expanding their professional impact, managing evolving research interests, and staying engaged while avoiding a mid-career slump. Specific topics may include pursuing administrative leadership roles, changing institutions, reworking one’s research agenda, mentoring junior colleagues, and maintaining work-life balance. Panelists will share their experiences and strategies for continued growth and fulfillment in the mid- to late-career stages.

Balancing Work and Life as an Academic
The demands of academia can feel relentless—juggling research, teaching, service, and personal commitments often seems like an impossible balancing act. Moreover, the professional culture of the academy often prioritizes productivity over mental health and personal wellbeing, while the hypercompetitive environment surrounding job and funding opportunities frequently adds to the stress. For many, this results in bringing work home and working longer hours at night, over the weekend, and on holidays—to the detriment of one’s commitments and interests outside of work. This roundtable will bring together panelists who have navigated these challenges to share their insights, strategies, and lessons learned. Topics may include planning and prioritizing one’s workload, setting boundaries, managing time effectively, addressing burnout, and prioritizing what truly matters. Whether you are an early-career scholar, a seasoned faculty member, or somewhere in between, this panel aims to offer practical advice and a supportive space to discuss how to pursue a fulfilling academic career without sacrificing personal wellbeing.

Being Faculty at a Community College

Being Faculty at a Liberal Arts College

Being Faculty at a Research Institution
In today’s competitive job market, many academics will find themselves interviewing and perhaps working at a different kind of institution from the one where they were trained. The attendant expectations and responsibilities of a faculty member can vary significantly depending on the type of institution, and some early-career academics may not be fully prepared for these differences. These roundtables aim to bring together a group of faculty members at similar types of institutions—community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and doctoral universities with high/very high research activity—to discuss the unique nature of their jobs and share insights that job seekers or early-career academics might find useful as they seek and gain employment at these institutions.

Faculty Governance and Union Organizing
Faculty governance and union organizing are powerful tools for shaping the academic workplace and protecting faculty rights. This roundtable will explore how faculty can effectively engage in shared governance, advocate for fair policies, and navigate the complexities of organizing. Panelists will share their experiences with initiatives such as crafting new policies on academic freedom, securing equitable pay, improving working conditions, and promoting inclusion in decision-making processes. Whether you are an experienced advocate or are simply curious about recent trends toward unionization in higher education, this panel will provide an informative conversation about how faculty voices might collectively influence the future of higher education.

Managing Academic Service: Balancing Commitments and Avoiding Burnout
Many junior- and mid-career faculty feel pressure to engage in service roles—committee work, peer reviewing, organizing conferences, etc.—that must be incorporated into one’s workload alongside research and teaching commitments. Balancing all of these responsibilities can lead to stress and burnout, particularly for junior faculty who are working towards tenure. This roundtable will facilitate a discussion about how best to manage one’s academic service while setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Panelists will share their experiences and provide practical advice on how to prioritize service task, avoid overcommitting, and ensure that service responsibilities enhance, rather than detract from, your academic goals.

Mentorship in Political Science: Becoming a Better Mentor and Mentee
Mentorship is a cornerstone of professional development in academia, yet the dynamics of being both a mentor and a mentee can be complex and multifaceted. This roundtable is devoted to the critical role that mentorship plays in advancing an academic career, offering strategies for both giving and receiving guidance. Panelists—experienced mentors and mentees alike—will discuss best practices for fostering productive mentoring relationships, setting goals, providing constructive feedback, and managing expectations. This session will also address how early-career scholars can seek out and build their own mentoring networks, and how to navigate potential challenges in doing so.

Navigating the Tenure Track
Given the time and effort required simply to attain a tenure-track position, it is easy to find oneself underprepared for what comes next, once the tenure clock starts ticking. This roundtable is intended to help junior faculty successfully navigate the path to tenure by demystifying the process and offering actionable advice. Panelists who have successfully navigated this path will discuss how to set priorities, build a robust research portfolio, excel in the classroom, and document service contributions. Additional topics may include managing relationships with senior colleagues, seeking mentorship, and maintaining resilience in the face of obstacles. This session will provide valuable insights for junior scholars of all ranks, from those who are still on the job market to those preparing for review.

Alt-Academic and Non-Academic Careers for Political Science PhDs
Many graduate students and recent PhDs are interested, and in some cases compelled, to pursue a career outside of the academy. However, graduate programs often focus exclusively on preparing students for the academic job search, leaving them in the dark as to how they might leverage their training and skills in a different recruiting environment. This roundtable will explore some of the career options in government, think tanks, nonprofits, consulting, or academic-adjacent positions. Panelists who have successfully transitioned or worked in these fields will share their journeys, the skills they found most valuable, and how best to prepare for and pursue a non-academic job.

Building a Competitive Job Market Portfolio—From CV to Teaching Statement
A strong job market portfolio is essential for standing out in the crowded and competitive academic hiring process. This roundtable will guide attendees through crafting the key components of a compelling portfolio including a polished CV, an engaging cover letter, and impactful teaching and research statements. Panelists with experience participating in searches will share their expertise on tailoring materials to specific institutions and openings, avoiding common pitfalls, and presenting the best version of yourself to search committees.

How to Approach the Interview and Job Talk
The academic interview and job talk are pivotal moments in the hiring process, offering candidates the chance to make a lasting impression. This roundtable will provide strategies for excelling in both. Panelists will discuss how to prepare for interviews, anticipate and handle challenging questions, and navigate the unique dynamics of phone/Zoom interviews, campus visits, one-on-one meetings, and group settings. For the job talk, we’ll cover how to structure your presentation, engage your audience, speak across subfields, and anticipate follow-up questions.

Making the Most of Your Postdoc Experience
A postdoctoral fellowship can be a transformative stage in your academic journey, offering time to focus on research, expand your professional network, and better prepare for a tenure-track position. This roundtable will explore how to maximize the opportunities that a postdoc provides, from setting clear goals to leveraging mentorship and institutional resources. Panelists will share strategies that helped them succeed at balancing research and job market preparation, integrating into a new academic environment, and building the skills that made them strong candidates for a faculty position.

Navigating the Job Market as an International Candidate
International candidates bring unique perspectives to the academic job market but often face additional hurdles, from navigating visa requirements to understanding cultural nuances in hiring practices. This roundtable will address these complexities and offer practical advice on succeeding as an international job seeker. Specific topics for discussion may include securing work authorization, adapting application materials to the American academic context, and building professional networks across borders.

Communicating Your Research to the Public
Effectively sharing your research with the public is a powerful way to amplify its impact and demonstrate the value of political science to broader audiences. This roundtable will explore strategies for translating complex research into accessible information, engaging with media outlets, and leveraging platforms like social media, blogs, and podcasts. Panelists will share their experiences in reaching diverse non-academic audiences, navigating through controversial political topics, and balancing academic rigor with clarity and concision.

From Theory to Action: Political Scientists in Practical Politics
Engaging directly in politics can be a rewarding way for political scientists to connect theory with action, but it also presents some unique challenges. This roundtable will explore how academics can effectively navigate roles as advocates, consultants, or advisors while maintaining professional integrity and balancing academic responsibilities. Panelists will share experiences working on political campaigns, advising policymakers, and contributing to civic initiatives, as well as tips for avoiding potential conflicts of interest. Whether you are considering stepping into the political arena or seeking to enhance your political engagement, this session offers useful insights into blending scholarship with advocacy.

How to be Heard by Policymakers
Bringing political science research to bear on public policy and bridging the gap between academia and real-world decision-making is a perennial challenge for scholars in the ivory tower. This roundtable is intended to provide guidance on how to effectively communicate your expertise to legislative staff, government agencies, and advocacy organizations. Panelists with experience in policy engagement will discuss strategies for crafting concise policy briefs, building relationships with policymakers, and presenting data in ways that might inform and influence decisions. This session will be of value to those who are aiming to contribute to evidence-based policy or seeking to elevate the societal impact of their research.

Working with the Media
Political scientists have valuable insights that can enrich public discourse, but effectively communicating through the media requires an understanding of how the press works and how to craft your message. This roundtable will explore best practices for engaging with journalists, from accepting and preparing for interviews to writing op-eds and participating in media commentary. Panelists will share their experiences in navigating media requests, handling tough or even hostile questions, and ensuring their expertise is accurately represented.

Getting Your Book Published: Advice from Acquisitions Editors

Getting Your Book Published: Advice from Authors
Publishing a book is a major milestone in any academic career, but the path to publication can be arduous. These roundtables will offer valuable perspectives from both current acquisitions editors and successful authors in political science. Editors from leading academic presses will share what they look for in book proposals, which publishers to target, how to navigate the submission process, and tips for crafting a proposal that stands out. Meanwhile, academic authors will offer insights on their own experiences—from the initial proposal to the final product—sharing lessons learned, common challenges, and strategies for perseverance.

Navigating Academic Publishing: Advice from Political Science Journal Editors
Publishing in academic journals is a critical milestone in any political scientist’s career, yet for the uninitiated the process can seem daunting. This roundtable, featuring current journal editors, will demystify the submission and peer review process. Journal editors will share insights into what they look for in a strong manuscript, how to select the right journal for your work, and strategies for responding to reviewer feedback. Attendees will also learn about common pitfalls in the submission process and how to avoid them, as well as tips for increasing likelihood of acceptance and publication. This session will be of value especially to early-career academics who are preparing their first manuscript for submission, as well as those who would simply like to meet and speak with current editors about the landscape of academic publishing in political science.

Applying for Grants and Funding Opportunities
Securing funding is essential for advancing research, but the process can be complex and very competitive. This roundtable is intended to offer practical guidance on identifying funding opportunities, crafting a compelling proposal, and navigating the application. Panelists with experience in winning and/or awarding grants will share tips for aligning proposals with funder priorities, building collaborative teams, and responding to reviewer feedback.

Building a Productive Research Agenda
Establishing a focused and sustainable research agenda is a crucial first step for early-career scholars. This roundtable is intended to provide practical guidance for graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty on identifying research priorities, balancing short- and long-term projects, and strategically planning outputs such journal articles and book projects. Accomplished panelists will share insights on aligning your research agenda with career goals, managing collaborations, and adapting to evolving interests or disciplinary trends. Whether you are still attempting to shape your research trajectory or seeking to refine it, this session can help you lay an important foundation for a successful scholarly career.

Pursuing Interdisciplinary Research in Political Science
Interdisciplinary research opens new avenues for innovation and can expand the impact of political science across scholarly fields. This roundtable will explore how political scientists can successfully engage in research that crosses disciplinary boundaries to engage with such fields as economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, or the life sciences. Panelists who have pursued their research interests beyond the customary limits of political science will discuss strategies for identifying interdisciplinary research questions, navigating collaborative partnerships, and overcoming potential challenges like differing methodological approaches or theoretical frameworks.

How to Survive (and Thrive) in Graduate School
Graduate school can be an overwhelming experience for many students, as they transition from college or the workforce into professional academic life. This roundtable aims to provide graduate students, as well as graduate-level faculty, with valuable insights and strategies for navigating the challenges of graduate study, from managing coursework and research to maintaining personal health and wellbeing. Panelists will share tips for staying organized, building supportive relationships with advisors and peers, handling imposter syndrome, and balancing academic demands with personal life. This session will be of value for both those who are considering applying to graduate school, and those who are currently in thick of it.

What They Don’t Teach You in Graduate School
This roundtable aims to bring together a group of faculty members to reflect on the following question: Retrospectively, what are some of the realities of academic life that I was not prepared for in my graduate school training? Accordingly, the discussion will focus on the “hidden curriculum” of academia—those essential but often unspoken aspects of becoming a successful scholar. Specific topics may include navigating academic politics, building a professional network, handling interdepartmental conflict, managing time effectively, and balancing the pressures of research, teaching, and service.

What to Do with My Political Science Degree: Career Paths for Undergrads
As the MPSA Conference includes robust undergraduate programming, this roundtable is intended to provide guidance to the political science majors who are unsure about what comes next after graduation. Panelists will articulate the diverse paths available to undergraduates including graduate study but also positions in government, nonprofit organizations, public policy, international relations, and the private sector. Panelists will share their career journeys, offer advice on how to leverage a political science degree in the job market, and discuss strategies for building a strong professional network while in college.

Approaches to Teaching Introductory Courses
Teaching introductory courses is a core component of most academic careers, but it can also be one of the most challenging: students in these courses are often just beginning their collegiate journey while simultaneously navigating their transition into adulthood, and many of them are likely to be non-majors who have no intention of ever taking another political science course. This roundtable will explore effective teaching strategies for engaging students in foundational political science topics and creating an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment. Panelists will share tips on course design, innovative teaching and learning techniques, and managing large lecture settings. Overall we hope to lay the groundwork for effective introductory teaching that serves the needs of instructors and students alike.

Approaches to Teaching Undergraduate Research Methods
The ability to teach undergraduate research methods is a common requirement of tenure-track positions, but one for which many job candidates will not have prior experience as graduate instructors. This roundtable aims to articulate strategies for making complex research concepts accessible, engaging, and relevant to political science majors. Topics of discussion may include designing effective curricula for methods courses, incorporating hands-on learning experiences, and fostering critical thinking about data, methodology, and research ethics.

Designing New Courses
While many instructors are excited at the prospect of developing a new course, achieving pedagogical goals can become more difficult when coupled with teaching wholly new material. This roundtable will engage in a conversation about the key elements of course design, such as establishing clear learning objectives, selecting appropriate materials, integrating innovative teaching methods, and avoiding common pitfalls when it comes to planning and implementing a new course.

Fostering Engagement: Strategies for a Dynamic Classroom

Keeping students engaged in the classroom is essential for fostering a dynamic and productive learning environment. Accomplishing this, however, can be incredibly challenging in today’s classroom. This roundtable will articulate strategies for increasing student participation, motivation, and active learning across a variety of classroom settings. Panelists will discuss techniques that they have learned or discovered, such as using technology, incorporating collaborative activities, integrating real-world events and examples, and promoting critical thinking through innovative approaches to discussion.

Interactive Learning: Harnessing the Power of Simulations and Games
Employing simulations or “learning games” in the classroom can help bring political science concepts to life, increase information retention, and improve student success. This roundtable will explore how to effectively incorporate simulations and games into your teaching in ways that will foster critical thinking, collaboration, skill development, and the practical application of political theory and practice. Panelists will share successful examples from their own classrooms, offering practical advice on selecting, designing, implementing, and debriefing these activities.

Strategies for Inclusive Teaching and Promoting Diversity in the Classroom
Creating an inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and have equal opportunities to succeed is essential for fostering a productive learning space. This roundtable will focus on strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in political science teaching. Panelists will share best practices for developing inclusive curricula, addressing bias, and creating classroom dynamics that respect and celebrate diverse perspectives. Additionally, they will discuss ways to engage students from different backgrounds and ensure that all voices are heard, both in lectures and group discussions.

The Challenges and Opportunities of AI
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of higher education, especially in the proliferation of large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini. This roundtable will explore how AI tools can enhance teaching and learning in political science, from automating administrative tasks to providing personalized learning experiences for students. Panelists will discuss the potential of AI to support course prep, grading, and student engagement, as well as the serious ethical concerns (especially around plagiarism) and potential limitations of incorporating AI in the classroom. Whether you already incorporate AI in your teaching, are curious about how you might do so, or are gravely concerned about its impact, this session will offer insights to help make sense of this rapidly changing environment.