The 2025 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference built on the work done by John Ishiyama’s APSA Presidential Task Force entitled Rethinking Political Science Education, aiming to advance those recommendations by exploring why teaching political science matters.

How can we reconsider and reimagine our own programs, curriculum, and pedagogy?  Higher education has changed dramatically in the past couple of decades and yet the importance and value of a political science education has never been more apparent: we must teach how politics works and the importance of democratic values and civic engagement; we must teach our students how to be successful if they continue with graduate education; we must teach the skills necessary for entering the workforce. 

February 7-9, 2025 | Alexandria, Virginia | Visit website

The 2023 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference invited the political science education community to engage in “Re-Energizing Political Science Education: Innovations and New Opportunities.” The 2023 TLC was held at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, February 10-12. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the educational experience of students and teachers, exposing and widening pre-existing inequalities in higher education. As we navigate the post-COVID world and reimagine our classrooms, what are the lessons and innovations from the pandemic that faculty, colleges, and universities can continue integrating into political science education? How can we engage students, faculty, and communities? How can we make political science fun and relevant, and rediscover the joy of teaching?

February 10-12, 2023 | Baltimore, Maryland | Visit website

The 2020 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference theme was “Teaching to Empower Students.” As students encounter an often tumultuous reality that includes an evolving academy, uncertain job markets, and an increasingly contentious political sphere, how can we empower them to thrive in their educational and individual pursuits and ensure that they are prepared to solve tomorrow’s problems? Specifically, what teaching and learning strategies can we employ to build the skills and confidence our students will need? 

February 7-9, 2020 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Visit website

The 2019 Joint TLC was a collaboration between APSA, the Political Studies Association (PSA), the British International Studies Association (BISA), and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). It took place in Brighton, England from June 17-19, 2019. The conference aimed to provide a forum in which political science educators from different countries and contexts could come together to explore these challenges and share their experiences and teaching practices.

June 17-19, 2019 | Brighton, England | Visit website

The 15th Teaching & Learning Conference took place in Baltimore, Maryland, February 2-4, to explore the conference theme, “Teaching Politics as a Public Good: Citizenship and Civic Engagement in the Classroom.” 

February 2-4, 2018 | Baltimore, Maryland | View program

The 14th Teaching & Learning Conference took place in Long Beach, California, February 10-12, to explore the conference theme, “The 21st Century Classroom: Creating an Engaging Environment for All Students.”

February 10-12, 2017 | Long Beach, California | View online program / PDF Program

The 13th Annual TLC took place in Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, February 12-14, to explore the conference theme, “Rethinking The Way We Teach: High-Impact Methods In the Classroom.”

February 12-14 | Portland, Oregon | View program

2015 Teaching and Learning Conference
January 16 – 18, 2015
Washington, DC
Download the TLC Program

2014 Teaching & Learning Conference
February 7 –  9, 2014
Philadelphia, PA
View 2014 Teaching & Learning Papers

2013 Teaching & Learning Conference
February 8 – 10, 2013
Long Beach, CA
View 2013 Teaching & Learning Papers

2012 Teaching & Learning Conference
February 17 – 19, 2012
Washington, DC
View 2012 Teaching & Learning Papers