by Bakhytzhan Oskeyeva, PhD student in Public Policy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Note: This blog post reflects responses to a voluntary conference reflection questionnaire I created and circulated among attendees. The survey was independently designed and does not represent an official MPSA initiative, a formal study or statistically representative sample, but was designed to collect informal insights from the community.
As I attended MPSA 2025 this year, I found myself reflecting on the many conversations, presentations, and moments of connection that make the conference special. Curious to hear how others experienced it, I created a short questionnaire and shared it with fellow attendees. Over 60 people responded — from grad students and first-timers to faculty who’ve been coming for years — offering thoughtful reflections on what they learned, what stood out, and what advice they’d share with others. The purpose of the questionnaire was to collect personal feedback about what participants took away from the conference, what resonated most, and what advice they would offer to future attendees and organizers.
MPSA Attendees at a Glance
The responses revealed a wide range of attendees. Most were graduate students, followed by undergraduates, faculty, and a handful of post-docs and publishers. This diversity of roles brings fresh energy and layered experience to the MPSA community every year.
Figure 1: Participant Roles at MPSA 2025
| “As a first-time attendee and a PhD student, I came to network and present my work.”
— First-time attendee
“It was overwhelming but exciting. The number of sessions is incredible.” — First-time attendee |
In Their Own Words: Why MPSA?
Attendees cited a variety of reasons for attending MPSA: presenting papers, gaining feedback, networking, or simply being inspired by the latest research. Some undergraduates were encouraged to attend by faculty, while graduate students and faculty alike saw it as a place to test new ideas and connect with peers.
Figure 2. Motivations for Attending MPSA
| “I came to network and brought my undergraduate students so they could experience the conference atmosphere firsthand.”
— Associate faculty member |
Newcomers and Returning Participants
More than 60% of respondents were attending MPSA for the first time. Their responses reflected excitement, occasional nervousness, and gratitude for the opportunity. Returning attendees compared this year to previous ones with thoughtful nuance—some found this year “re-engaging” highlighting renewed energy and meaningful connections.
Figure 3. MPSA attendance breakdown
| “It was a bit overwhelming at first, but incredibly exciting. The number of sessions was impressive!”
— First-time attendee |
MPSA in One Word
From “energizing” to “overwhelming,” one thing was clear: MPSA left an impression. Participants described the conference in a wide range of ways—from the academic (“informative,” “enlightening,” “rewarding”) to the emotional (“fun,” “exciting,” “happy”) to the honest and human (“tired,” “confused,” “intensive”). Words like “networking,” “professional,” and “well-organized” appeared multiple times, underscoring the value attendees placed on both structure and connection.
Figure 4. MPSA in One Word
Whether it was someone’s first time or their tenth, the responses show that MPSA continues to inspire, challenge, and connect scholars at all stages of their careers.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I explore what happened inside the sessions: the presentations, the feedback, and the research that left a lasting mark.
Compiled from 60+ responses to the MPSA Reflection Questionnaire, 2025.
About the Author
Bakhytzhan Oskeyeva is a PhD student in Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research focuses on international war, propaganda, and political communication. As an international student from Kazakhstan, she balances her academic pursuits with being a single mother to her two children. She is passionate about understanding the intersection of media, politics, and public perception. You can follow her journey at www.linkedin.com/in/bakhytzhan-oskeyeva, @boskeyev.bsky.social, https://www.facebook.com/baha.oskeyeva/