The Ongoing State of the Field of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Political Science: APSA Virtual Research Group Workshop
APSA 2026 Virtual Research Meeting
April 15 – April 16, 2026 (EST) | Apply to Research Group Workshop
Application Deadline: February 25, 2026
Workshop Organizers: Amanda M. Rosen (Naval War College); Tavishi Bhasin (Kennesaw State University)
This Research Group continues the collaborative work launched during the 2025 APSA Virtual Research Meeting examining the development of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) as a distinct subfield within political science. Building on ongoing collaboration among participants since the 2025 workshop, this group focuses on establishing foundational components of political science education research, including identifying a canon of core scholarship, developing graduate and undergraduate curriculum models for political science pedagogy, and outlining a comprehensive research agenda for the field. The workshop welcomes both returning participants and new contributors interested in advancing research, pedagogy, and professional collaboration in political science education.
During the Workshop
Following the APSA Virtual Research Meeting format, the workshop will meet for eight 90-minute sessions across two days and will emphasize collaborative project development through team-based working groups rather than traditional conference presentation panels. Sessions will begin with interactive discussions addressing the current challenges and future directions of political science education research, followed by project updates and opportunities for participants to join collaborative working groups aligned with key initiatives. Participants will help refine existing draft projects and contribute to new field-building efforts, including expanding an annotated bibliography of foundational SoTL scholarship, developing graduate and undergraduate course syllabi focused on political science pedagogy, and refining a manifesto outlining core research questions, methodological approaches, and future directions for the subfield. Sessions will incorporate structured discussion, small-group collaboration, peer feedback, and planning for dissemination, publication, and future collaboration.
The Research Group is designed to support sustained collaboration among faculty, graduate students, and researchers engaged in political science education scholarship or those seeking to expand their work in teaching and learning research. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate interest in contributing to one or more of the group’s core projects and to describe how their research, teaching experience, ongoing pedagogical initiatives, or professional goals align with advancing SoTL in political science. Participants should expect to engage in collaborative drafting, peer review, and sustained project development throughout the workshop. The workshop seeks to foster an inclusive scholarly network spanning institutions, career stages, and subfields, particularly at a time when higher education faces challenges related to enrollment trends, evolving instructional technologies, academic freedom, and the broader societal role of higher education.
The workshop aims to generate collaborative scholarly and professional outputs, including advancing draft manuscripts and foundational field documents toward publication, refining curriculum and training materials for graduate education, and expanding research collaborations in political science pedagogy. The group also seeks to strengthen partnerships across APSA initiatives, including the Teaching and Learning Conference, APSA Connect, and related publications, while contributing to long-term efforts to further establish political science education as a research-based subfield.
How to Apply
The submission system is open for workshop participant applications! The application deadline is Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
Research Group Workshops are the central feature of the APSA Virtual Research Meeting, designed to bring scholars together over two days of collaborative engagement, interactive discussion, and joint research development. Each Research Group will meet for eight 90-minute sessions across both days, with participants expected to engage throughout the full workshop series.
Due to limited capacity and overlapping schedules, participants may only apply to one Research Group. To apply, candidates must submit a Statement of Interest tailored to their selected workshop by the deadline and are encouraged to review the workshop descriptions carefully before applying.
The American Political Science Association’s 2026 Virtual Research Meeting, held on April 15 & 16, 2026, is an annual two-day online event provides a forum for scholars worldwide interested in sharing their research, receiving in-depth feedback, and creating partnerships and networks for future collaboration. Stay tuned for registration! Visit the website to learn more.