USI to host Indiana Political Science Association Conference

The University of Southern Indiana will host the 2017 Indiana Political Science Association (IPSA) Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 24 in Carter Hall and University Center East. Hosted by the Political Science and Public Administration Department, the annual IPSA conference is a great opportunity for students to present their ongoing research, learn about research from faculty in the field, discuss current topics in politics and network with participants from universities in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. 

A number of Political Science and Master of Public Administration students will either be presenting their research in panels and roundtables at the conference, attending the conference sessions, or volunteering with registration, set up and logistics throughout the day. Approximately 100 faculty and students throughout Indiana will meet to exchange ideas, present their latest research in the diverse field of political science, and showcase the opportunities from local and statewide organizations, businesses and institutions. Participant topics include, but are not limited to, national, state and local politics, identity politics (gender, race, ethnicity and religion), political theory, elections and research methods.

USI President Linda L. M. Bennett will give the welcoming remarks.  The keynote speaker, Dr. Kristina Horn Sheeler will present "Campaign 2016: A New Era of Lowered Expectations." Sheeler, professor of communication studies and associate dean for the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in political rhetoric, persuasion, gender and communication, and has taught internationally in Czech Republic, Poland and Macedonia. Her research is in the areas of gender and political communications, studying the ways a political candidate's identity is contested and constructed in popular media, political discourse, journalism and punditry. 

For more information, contact Dr. Matt Hanka at mjhanka@usi.edu or 812-461-5204.