What is a Working Group?
Several years ago, ISA sponsored a small slate of working groups as a part of a pilot project. Since then, we’ve been sponsoring a few working groups at our annual conference each year to offer attendees a forum for dialogue and interaction around designated issue areas within the association. By participating in a working group, conference attendees discuss the most thought-provoking issues in their sections as well as their own research through an extended and focused discussion. Such dialogue may stimulate new research questions and project ideas, and contribute to development of new communities of scholars.Working groups are sponsored by ISA Headquarters on a competitive basis. In addition to the quality of the proposal itself, we consider diversity of section representation, thematic integration across sections, and linkages to the program theme. Typically, the deadline for working group proposals is mid-June.
We are pleased to sponsor two working groups at the 2011 conference:
Interrogating the Use of Norms in International Relations
How Does a Working Group Work?
Working groups consist of approximately 20-25 participants. Participants join working groups on a first come-first served basis and must be committed to attending all of the group sessions. Group coordinators strive for balance in terms of seniority and expertise in each group. Participants will receive a certificate of recognition for their participation.
Working Groups 2009 Archive
As part of our pilot project in 2009, ISA sponsored three working groups at the annual convention in New York. Please see the Working Groups 2009 links menu to the left to review the group schedule.
Working Groups 2010 Archive
As a continuation of our pilot project, ISA sponsored three Working Groups at the 2010 Annual Convention in New Orleans. Please see the Working Groups 2010 links menu to the left to review the group schedule.