About APT
WHAT CONFEREES SAY
Note: After every conference, participants are polled and asked to comment on the quality of the conference and to make suggestions as to how build on strengths and address weaknesses. Below each heading are several comments highlighting strengths of past conferences. Click on the links following each selection to view the full set of comments for that year's conference. Those full comments, of course, also include a number of criticisms. The Association charges each year's incoming Program Committee to attempt to address any problems that the comments, taken as a whole, point out.
Sixth Annual Conference - Wesleyan University, 2008
"The program was well thought out and provided ample opportunities to hear good papers. There were so many great submissions that it was hard to decide which talks to go to, which is a fantastic problem to have, especially since the accomodations gave you the opportunity to later meet with people at a session you didn't attend and still hear the ideas presented. The facilities were great, and with the blog it was really easy finding people to share rides and rooms with."
"I always love the organization of APT - the way that all breaks and meals are together, and that the location is usually not great (which means everyone attends all of the panels)."
"The program was good. The shared meals continue for me to be the highlight of the gathering, because they are occasions for people to meet and talk about their mutual interests."
"I enjoyed the conference very much. I especially appreciated that the papers were made available ahead of time and that panelists were encouraged to not read their papers. Not only did these leave more time for discussion, it forced us to present the basic argument of the paper, which also seemed to foster more reaction and discussion."
"The quality of the presentations was rather high (higher certainly than the quality of presentations at other conferences). The discussants were all STELLAR. Very, very good."
"Seriously, probably the best conference panel I have ever attended. The time for discussion was excellent, and the seriousness of discussion was at a very high level - respectful and probing disagreements. Staging the conference in an academic setting is a huge plus."
Fifth Annual Conference - The University of Western Ontario, 2007
"I found the presentations, discussant comments, and audience participation to be the highest quality I've seen for a political theory conference (or a conference featuring political theory as a component)."
"Excellent discussions, decent to good presentations. I appreciated the fact that all panels were well attended and there was a generally constructive and positive atmosphere, which is quite unusual for conferences."
"The program was excellent. I really like the idea of this being a selective conference, as well as the idea of mixing up approaches and the stages of the participants' careers. The pace is a little hectic, but I really enjoyed the conference. Breaks and meals were nice; the food was very good. The facilities and accommodations were very nice."
"This was a beautifully organized conference. I felt I was able to concentrate a high level of intellectual engagement and social networking into a short two-day period (which was important to me, given the busy time of the semester). The food and lodging was great, and the break snacks were critical for giving me quick energy for the next session."
"I LOVED this conference, in part because I got a chance to meet and talk political theory with people who I didn't already know. I thought the organization of the conference—small size, meals included, communal tables for meals and snacks area— really contributed to this."
"It is priceless to offer an annual event where theorists convene and theory is the norm. Thank you."
"Overall, this was the most positive conference experience I have had. The level of the discussions was extraordinary. As a junior scholar looking to advance my research agenda, I found APT to be a great space for meeting people with a similar profile and interests. I would be happy to serve on any of the above committees."
Fourth Annual Conference - Indiana University, 2006
"The presentations and discussions were of generally high quality. My impression is that the conference benefits a great deal from the norms of early paper submission that have developed. Papers are not last-minute jobs, and discussants have the time to prepare good comments that spur discussion."
"Everything was of high quality and impressive. I thought that the balance between graduate students and faculty was good and that the panels were well put together. I especially appreciated the pedagogy discussion, and I hope that is included in future conferences."
"APT is by far the best conference I have ever attended. I have recommended it to my colleagues for its size, which allowed attendees to speak to one another and continue conversations after sessions were completed. The conference was well organized. The centralization and inclusion of coffee breaks, lunches and dinners allowed attendees to circulate and speak with a wide-selection of conference goers. Moreover, conference attendees tended to be well prepared for the panels and were lively participants in the question and answer sessions."
"I loved APT! It was the most rewarding, congenial, and enjoyable conference I can remember. I think this is because of a few things: 1) only a few panels per session, so there is strong attendance (and also that it is not in a touristy location, so there are no diversions); 2) long discussion times; 3) eating together! This is key for establishing discussions and relationships beyond the conference room - especially the receptions."
"As a grad student at about the halfway-point of my doctoral studies, and having attended at various points and in various capacities most of the major (and some not so major) Political Science conferences held in the U.S., I can say without equivocation that APT 2006 was far and away the most instructive and the most enjoyable conference I have experienced."
"I love APT; I love the openness and egalitarianism of the culture. I wish more philosophers were involved."
Third Annual Conference - Washington University in St. Louis, 2005
"Still a great conference. The 1/2 hour coffee break/social time between panels is excellent. The paper archive is really important for informed audience participation."
"This remains the conference and organization I feel most affinity for and commitment. I am very grateful to the founders and organizers to create such a nice atmosphere for theorists to meet, talk, argue, and support one another.... I think we have struck the right mix and number of panels, time between for informal discussions and meeting people, and workshops."
"Conference is excellent. Program was very good. People who attend are committed to attending, participating, engaging with other theorists (as opposed to doing the minimum and skipping off to see the sights). The meals are essential for creating this sense of commitment and on-going discussion. In addition, the attention of the organizers to well-conceived panels AND to the details of the conference (down to accommodating last minute changes and generally caring about everyone's experience) is exceptional and to be commended! Also, I'd definitely keep the longer panels (longer than at most conferences). Every panel that I attended had no problem filling the time with interesting discussion."
"There is far more intellectual engagement at this conference than others. In part, I think this degree of engagement hinges on the small size of APT, the caliber of the discussants, and the common meals."
"The pre-circulation/archiving requirements result in far better papers and discussions. That makes a tremendous difference and is huge part of why the quality of APT is so high. Better questions & answers when people have had a chance to read over papers in advance."
"Great conference. Please keep the size small so that is can remain an atmosphere where people can meet one another and feel comfortable. The meals together are crucial, as are the extended breaks. Thank you to all the planners, program committee members..... Great job!"
Second Annual Conference - The Colorado College, 2004
"I was impressed by the quality of most of the papers. Good papers and good discussant jobs were usually followed by intellectually stimulating discussion. I learned a great deal. As long as future APT conferences don't lower the standard, I am looking forward to many future stimulating and pleasant conferences."
"Archive was/is good. Pre-circulation requirement is a good requirement. I think people were better prepared for other people's papers than at other conferences, and that in the future, folks will be even better (if only a little better) at checking out interesting papers on other panels before the conference. Someone should be keeping track of published articles that were first presented at APT."
"General impression of presentations: Individually, the presentations were not that different from other conferences; although the panels were put together particularly well so there were good connections across papers and this did make presentations more provocative. General impression of discussion: Truly outstanding and unique! I've never seen such genuine and productive discussion at a conference. People must have read the papers or just had a lot knowledge about the subject matter. This was the finest point of the APT gathering for me. I learned a lot as a presenter and as an audience member. In general, it was an outstanding conference!"
"Sessions: uniformly excellent. I was on the environmental political theory panel and it was the best panel experience I've had. Maybe [add] one more day of panels. This conference has become, quickly, the premier political theory conference. Another day of panels would allow more specific topics."
"I have enjoyed both the panels and the social events. I am impressed by the comfort level and cordial attitude of the participants. It's made for a very enjoyable and educational experience."
"All [panels I attended] were excellent. I've been here both years and value the openness and non-hierarchical spirit as well as the quality of the papers. Please don't increase too greatly the number of papers."
"I loved the conference. The panels were great and the informal time for conversation was wonderful. And I really like the two-hour format, with a full hour (or close to it) for discussion. It makes things so much more substantive than the usual APSA format."
Inaugural Conference - Calvin College, 2003
"I thought the conference was a great success. The audience for panels was larger and better than most I’ve seen at large conferences (APSA)."
“I can’t think when I have enjoyed intellectual exchange more. Certainly not since graduate school. I hope you retain the interdisciplinary aspect of the conference. There are so many of us out there that are isolated vis-à-vis what really concerns us.”
“This was a great conference! Terrific organization and communication in the months and weeks leading up to the conference. The proceedings were substantive and the participants were hard working and generous, and above all constructive. Great facilities also, and it is especially nice to attend an affordable conference. I’ll be sure to put in for next year."
“I thought it was successful. A good number of people showed up and the quality of discussion was high. Very broad and diverse panels. I think it was a good beginning. Congratulations!”
“This has been a positive experience. I found the level of discussion quite high, and the opportunities and environment for participation excellent. Paper presenters, discussants, and audience participants were well prepared. Better than at some higher profile conferences. I’d like to see this become an annual or bi-annual event.”
“I very much enjoyed participating in the APT-conference. I made many new contacts and learned a lot about the research and thoughts of my American colleagues. I just submitted my membership application.... May the future history of the APT be as successful as its beginning.”