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About APSA

apsabuildingstreetview(1)637389709340113193Founded in 1903, the American Political Science Association (APSA) is the leading professional organization for the study of political science and serves more than 11,000 members in more than 100 countries. With a range of programs and services for individuals, departments, and institutions, APSA brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors within and outside academe to deepen our understanding of politics, democracy, and citizenship throughout the world. The Association promotes a lively, diverse community of scholars, teachers, students, and practitioners who bring wide-ranging interests, methodologies, and perspectives to the analysis and conduct of government and politics.

The Association disseminates information, facilitates collaboration among its members, publicizes research findings on important theoretical and political issues, and publishes a variety of materials relevant to the discipline. It enhances the capacity of political scientists to conduct research, improve teaching, develop professionally, and communicate their ideas within the discipline and to the wider public. The Association is also committed to transparency, open enquiry, scholarly pluralism, high standards of ethics and integrity, and a global perspective. 

APSA Public Statements and Letters

APSA leadership will make public statements on issues pertaining to the rights and freedoms of political scientists and scholars. Read and share recent statements and letters from APSA here.

Staff Directory

The APSA national office is supported by staff professionals, guided by 3 senior directors and the executive director,  located in an historic rowhouse in Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington, DC.

Governance

APSA relies on the work of dedicated members, Council members, and officers, and committees to provide expertise and guidance and to help the Association engage with the important trends and issues facing the discipline.

Support APSA

Support the study of political science with a gift to APSA. Learn about ways to give, establish your legacy, and how you can support APSA programs

Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision
The American Political Science Association (APSA) promotes scholarly understanding of political ideas, norms, behaviors, and institutions to inform public choices about government, governance, and public policy.

Mission
The American Political Science Association (APSA) supports excellence in scholarship and teaching and informed discourse about politics, policy and civic participation. The Association promotes a lively, diverse community of scholars, teachers, students, and practitioners who bring wide-ranging interests, methodologies, and perspectives to the analysis and conduct of government and politics. The Association disseminates information, facilitates collaboration among its members, and publicizes research findings on important theoretical and political issues, and publishes a variety of materials relevant to the discipline. It enhances the capacity of political scientists to conduct research, improve teaching, develop professionally, and communicate their ideas within the discipline and to wider publics.

Values
It is committed to transparency, open enquiry, scholarly pluralism, high standards of ethics and integrity, and a global perspective.


Core Objectives
APSA focuses on the following core objectives:

  • promoting scholarly research and communication, domestically and internationally.
  • promoting high quality teaching and education about politics and government.
  • diversifying the profession and representing its diversity.
  • increasing academic and non-academic opportunities for members.
  • strengthening the professional environment for political science.
  • representing the professional interests of political scientists.
  • defending the legitimacy of scholarly research into politics and government.
  • recognizing outstanding work in the discipline.
  • encouraging the application of rigorous ethical and intellectual standards in the profession.
  • serving the public, including disseminating research and preparing citizens to be effective citizens and political participants.
Annual Reports
  • 2021 APSA Annual Report (PDF)
  • 2020 APSA Annual Report (PDF)
  • 2019 APSA Annual Report (PDF) (HTML
  • 2018 APSA Annual Report (PDF(HTML)
  • 2017 APSA Annual Report (PDF) (HTML)
APSA Strategic Plan
The purpose of the plan is to guide the work of the staff of APSA, in terms of its allocation of the time of staff members and to provide the APSA Council in their oversight of its staff and to provide the membership with an update on the vision, mission and work of the association over the last three years and moving forward.