AI in Political Science Education: Track at the 2027 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference

# What this announcement covers

# Important dates and logistics

• Proposal deadline: October 7, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT.
• Conference: February 5–7, 2027 in Portland, Oregon.
• When registering, attendees must select a track and are expected to attend the sessions in the chosen track. Workshops and roundtables are open to any attendee regardless of track.

# What the track is asking for

The track solicits papers that treat AI use in the classroom carefully and practically. Specific topics named in the call include:

• Course design: How AI affects assignments, course content, delivery modalities, and assessment strategies.
• Accessibility: Using AI to improve access for students with disabilities.
• Academic integrity: Managing integrity issues in courses that use or allow AI tools.
• Pedagogical tools and platforms: Developing assignments, materials, or classroom tools using "vibe coding" platforms (the call uses this term).
• Career preparation: How use of AI in courses relates to students' workplace readiness and professional prospects.

Submissions should be framed for teaching audiences—research, case studies, practical classroom interventions, and assessments of teaching practices that address those areas.

# Conference context and theme

TLC 2027's overall theme is "Building Bridges: Dialogue and Discovery in Political Science." The conference positions teaching as a venue for addressing polarization and public skepticism about higher education and social science knowledge. The Teaching & Learning Conference highlights scholarship of teaching and learning and aims to equip faculty with techniques and resources for classroom practice.

# How to participate

1. 1Prepare a proposal that addresses one or more of the named topics (course design, accessibility, academic integrity, pedagogy platforms, career preparation).
2. 2Submit by the October 7, 2026 deadline at the APSA submission portal referenced in the call.
3. 3If accepted, plan to attend the track sessions during Feb 5–7, 2027 and to participate in the conference's interactive format.

# Practical considerations for proposers

• Emphasize evidence or clear descriptions of classroom implementation.
• If your work involves tools or platforms, specify which platforms and how they were used in assignments or assessments.
• For accessibility and integrity topics, include concrete steps taken, outcomes observed, and any assessment data you can share.
• Frame submissions for a teaching audience: focus on what educators can adopt, adapt, or evaluate in their own courses.

# Why this track matters for teachers

The track is targeted at instructors wrestling with how to integrate AI responsibly and effectively into political science teaching. It narrows the conversation to concrete classroom-level questions—assignment design, inclusive access, integrity policies, and career relevance—rather than only theoretical debate.

# Next steps

If you teach political science and are experimenting with or researching classroom uses of AI, draft a focused proposal that links practice to outcomes and submit it by the stated deadline. Register for TLC 2027 and choose the AI track if you plan to attend those sessions.