Special Annual Convention Programs

Our Special Activities at the Annual Convention

Our Annual Convention has over 1,000 panels and roundtables every year covering topics from across the wide array of international studies. But, ISA also offers a number of program experiences that go beyond these traditional forms of conference participation. 

Career Courses

Career Courses are half-day courses that offer participants an in-depth instruction on advanced topics such as methodology, teaching strategies, software, and more.

Distinguished Scholar Panels

These are created by section and caucus to recognize and celebrate exceptional scholars in their respective fields. ISA's Distinguished Scholar panels can only be submitted by section or caucus chairs and come directly from the group's allocation quota. Please note that ISA HQ can only facilitate one special scheduling request. (Deadline July 1st)

"In Other Words" Roundtables

"In Other Words" Roundtables is a series of three non-English roundtables that seeks to explore the role of the English language in governing academic practice, facilitating, or impeding communication, and determining academic proficiency and legitimacy within the discipline of International Relations.

ISA Poster Gallery

ISA maintains a virtual gallery of digital posters that have been presented at ISA Annual Conventions. Poster paper presenters share their research through this visual medium and meet separately with discussants and convention attendees to discuss their work.

Jargon Jumble

Participants are challenged to use only the most common 1000 English words to describe their research and submit it for review against others. The final competitors will participate in a roundtable at the Annual Convention to discuss their work and the challenges of effective professional communication.

Junior Scholar Symposia

The JSS is designed to provide Junior scholars (those in graduate school or who are within two years of their Ph.D) the opportunity to present their research and receive feedback in an environment dedicated to professional development as well as improving and sharing work.

Off the Beaten Path

Off the Beaten Path (OTBP) provides a dedicated space for practitioners, policy experts, private sector workers, and independent researchers to connect and present within the wider context of ISA’s annual convention. Off the Beaten path acts as a forum to encourage interdisciplinary exchange and dialogue between various facets of International Studies. In doing so, it highlights various perspectives throughout the International Studies community. OTBP is a flexible program and can accommodate a wide range of participation options and content.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward is a mentoring program designed for female graduate students and junior faculty within the International Studies profession. It serves as a space for networking, guidance, and critical engagement and reflection. The one-day workshop covers topics such as professional development, work-life balance, and navigating a gendered field, among others.

Structuring Inclusion

Structuring Inclusion is a series of panels that seek to challenge systemic exclusion through the articulation of new practices, approaches, cultures, and institutional parameters that liberate ISA in particular and scholarship in general.

Working Groups

Working Groups serve as a forum for dialogue and interaction around pre-designated issue areas at the Annual Convention.

Looking for other ISA Programs that take place outside of the Annual Convention?

  1. Virtual Programming & Events
  2. Workshop Grants
  3. Awards
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