Students and faculty from the School of Public Affairs (SPA) will participate in the 83rd annual conference of the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), one of the largest and most influential political science conferences in the world. The conference takes place April 23-26, 2026, and brings together more than 4,000 scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across the United States and more than 65 countries.

SPA participants will present research, lead workshops, serve as discussants, and contribute to panels that span public policy, governance, criminal justice, social welfare, and methodological innovation.

Scholarship from Students in the PhD in Public Affairs Program

Students in the PhD in Public Affairs program will contribute original research they are leading throughout the conference.

The MPSA Annual Conference provides an important platform for SPA students to share scholarship, engage with scholars from around the world, and strengthen professional networks that support careers in research, teaching, and practice.

Students in the SPA PhD in Public Affairs Program Attending MPSA

• Seth Kelly
• Jamie Pratt
• Benjamin Scanlan
• Emma Scheetz
• Betsy Smith
• Maisy Sylvan
• Hope Yohn
• Allegra Fullerton who recently successfully defended her dissertation will also be in attendance

Meet Our PhD Students

SPA Faculty Attending MPSA

The following SPA faculty and researchers will attend and participate in the conference:

• Tanya Heikkila: Professor; Program Director, Master of Public Policy; Co-Director, Center for Policy and Democracy
• Annie Miller: Associate Dean for Student Success and Strategic Initiatives; Assistant Teaching Professor
• Alejandra Medina: Assistant Professor
• José Sánchez: Assistant Professor
• Christopher M. Weible: Interim Dean and Distinguished Professor; Co-Director, Center for Policy and Democracy

SPA Participation Highlights

Thursday, April 23

• Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency: Jamie Pratt, Benjamin Scanlan, Deserai Anderson, Annie Miller
• Criminal Justice, Rights, and Representation: Hope Yohn

Friday, April 24

• Housing Policy: Emma Scheetz, Seth Kelly, Tanya Heikkila, José Sánchez, Deserai Anderson
• Environmental Policy Panel (Discussant): Tanya Heikkila
• Methodological Innovations in the Advocacy Coalition Framework: José Sánchez, Alejandra Medina, Allegra Fullerton, Christopher Weible
• Roundtable on Advancing Policy Learning: Tanya Heikkila, Christopher Weible

Saturday, April 25

• Navigating Opportunities for External Funding in the Social Sciences: Christopher Weible
• Social Welfare, Health, and Education Policy: Benjamin Scanlan, Hope Yohn, Annie Miller
• Narratives of Crisis and Disaster: Nathan Jeschke (SPA PhD alum), Deserai Anderson, Betsy Smith, Maisy Sylvan

Sunday, April 26

• Theoretical Innovations in the Advocacy Coalition Framework: Allegra Fullerton, Christopher Weible

About the MPSA Annual Conference

Founded in 1939, the Midwest Political Science Association advances research, teaching, and professional development across all areas of political science. The association publishes the American Journal of Political Science, one of the discipline’s top-ranked journals. Its annual conference features more than 1,000 panels, a large exhibit hall, and extensive opportunities for international and interdisciplinary collaboration.

SPA's strong presence at MPSA reflects the school's commitment to rigorous scholarship, public impact, and the professional development of faculty and students in the PhD program.