Click here to download the preliminary conference program. Presenters, panel chairs, and discussants should double check their name spellings, institution, and paper titles. This is the last chance to revise before nametags and program is finalized and printed. Please send revisions to Program Chair Dr. Craig Douglas Albert at calbert@augusta.edu. Please do this by Monday, Oct. 17. Revisions will no longer be accepted after this date. Please note that day/times/panels can not be changed at this point. Only errors can be corrected.

Responsibilities of Presenters

Presenters Should:

• Register for the GPSA meeting at least three to four weeks in advance.
• Send electronic copies of papers to panel discussants, chairs, and other presenters at least two weeks prior to the first day of the GPSA conference.
• Prepare a short presentation of the paper for the panel discussion.
• Refrain from indulging in extensive discussion of methods, statistics, and/or literature.
• Refrain from reading large sections of papers.
• Have available as appropriate some copies of the paper to hand out to audience members after the talk.
• Accept the comments of the discussant and audience as constructive.
• Refrain from indulging in ideological discussions of policy with the discussant and/or audience.

Responsibilities of Panel Chairs

Panel Chairs Should:

• Assist the Program Chair, if necessary, with identification of appropriate discussant.
• Register for the GPSA meeting at least three to four weeks in advance.
• Send reminders, if necessary, of meeting and paper deadlines to presenters and discussants.
• Arrive at the panel early to ensure the room is properly set up.
• Introduce members of the panel.
• Define the substantive area of the panel.
• Instruct presenters on time allotment and maintain control of the time allotted to each paper presentation (based on the number of papers to be presented).
• Allow appropriate time for discussant comments.
• Allow for audience participation through questions and answer period.
• If appropriate, forward high quality papers for review to be included in online proceedings and/or for award nominations.
• Finally, within three days of the conclusion of the conference, inform the Program Chair in writing (an e-mail is fine) which panelists participated in the panel.
• Take note of who did not attend and send to Conference Program Chair.

Responsibilities of Discussants

• Register for the GPSA meeting at least three to four weeks in advance.
• Read panel papers thoroughly and prepare constructive comments and appropriate questions to stimulate discussion during the panel.
• Refrain from indulging in entertaining comments and focus on research guidance and alternative hypotheses to those offered by author(s).
• Note gaps in literature in the papers presented.
• Comment on alternative methodologies.
• Comment on possibilities for paper submission for publication, if appropriate.
• Recommend high quality papers to the panel chair for inclusion in online proceedings and/or award nominations.
• Make written copies of comments for panel presenters if appropriate.
• Please take special note if a presentation is by a student. If you have a student paper, remember to be encouraging in your comments, and not degrading.

Contacting Panel Members

• Panelists, discussants, and panel chairs can download the panel contact list in PDF and Excel formats here:
• 2016 GPSA Panel Contact List (PDF)

  2016 GPSA Panel Contact List (XSLX)

We’ve received some reports of difficulties registering for the annual conference in Savannah. Computers or other devices connected to campus networks may not be able to complete the registration process. If you encounter issues, please try to register from an off-campus location or a cellular device. We’ve found this has resolved the issue in most cases. If you continue to have issues, please email John Bennett.

Dr. 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’.