Undergraduate papers sought for undergraduate research panel

Submit undergraduate papers for Pajari Undergraduate Research Panel

This panel was established to honor Roger N. Pajari, a tireless advocate for undergraduate research in political science. Professors of undergraduate political science courses in the state of Georgia may nominate students to present their research on this panel by submitting the completed paper to Dr. James LaPlant by Aug. 31.

Only four papers will be chosen for presentation on this special panel. The best paper presented from this panel will be given the Roger N. Pajari Undergraduate Research Award. Please nominate those excellent papers from your top undergraduate students for this exciting panel at our annual GPSA conference.

Submissions sought for student poster session at 2016 annual conference

Call for Submissions

The 2016 organizing committee  is accepting proposals for a special session dedicated to student scholarship during the Annual Georgia Political Science Association conference in Savannah, Nov. 10-12. Work from both undergraduate and graduate students will be considered.

Undergraduate students are an increasingly important element in the production and expansion of political knowledge. In its best form, undergraduate research can be seen as a collaborative apprenticeship, where undergraduates and faculty work together in a shared enterprise to create or expand the political knowledge base. In addition, as faculty, collaboration with undergraduate students in research is one of the most important ways we can facilitate innovation within our discipline. At its best, undergraduate research and collaboration can transform the way that we study political science. Submission deadline is Oct. 2.

Student Poster Session

The 2nd Annual Student Poster Session will showcase the work of both individual students and/or class based projects.

  • Individual Posters- These posters may describe applied or theoretical research that is completed or in the process of being completed; discuss interesting projects on which students have worked; or a report on a project or educational experiences (e.g., public outreach, volunteerism, internships). Submissions should focus on research or activities conducted within the past academic year.
  • Class Based Projects- These posters may describe class activities or simulations dealing with any area of politics and government. These presentations can focus on an individual experience, or the overall class experience. Any proposal focusing on a class based project is required to have an academic sponsor who signs off on the submission (including their title, rank and contact information).

Submission Instructions and Deadlines

The submitted poster abstracts will be selected on the basis of the clarity and the novelty of the ideas they present. Selected poster presenters will be given space to present their posters in a “Poster Presentation Session” at the beginning of the conference. The main idea of the “Poster Presentation Session” is to create a lively and intellectually challenging environment for undergraduate and graduate students to relate their ideas to a sophisticated audience and to invite discussions of their ideas during the conference.

Please send poster abstracts of 150-200 words, along with a short bio of the author(s) to mhipps@daltonstate.edu or GPSA@gpc.edu by Oct. 2, 2016. Decisions regarding selected posters will be emailed to presenters by Oct. 10.

Dr. Kirk A. Randazzo to deliver conference keynote

Randazzo_imageDr. Kirk A. Randazzo is a highly sought speaker and scholar, both internationally and across the United States. As a respected political scientist, he teaches and conducts research on constitutional law and judicial politics, the rule of law in emerging democracies, and judicial independence.

As a public speaker, his presentations focus on developing fundamental leadership skills and strategies for successful conflict management, team motivation, and public speaking. From 2013-2016 he served as the Director of the Carolina Leadership Initiative where he developed and implemented a new Minor in Leadership Studies for the University of South Carolina and helped undergraduate students focus on developing leadership skills.

Dr. Randazzo received a bachelor’s degree in Music (in 1994) and a master’s degree in International Studies (in 1997) from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree (in 2000) and Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University in 2003. From 2003-2008 he taught at the University of Kentucky and in 2008 returned to his alma mater as a Professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina. He also serves on various boards including Leadership Columbia, the USC Alumni Band, and is the ‘Voice of the Carolina Band’.