Berkeley Graduate Conference in Political Theory
We are pleased to announce that the Berkeley Graduate Conference on Political Theory will take place on Saturday, April 11th, 2026. This year’s conference expands its scope to include political theory, political philosophy, normative theory, intellectual history, and adjacent disciplines. Submissions on all topics within these areas are welcomed.
John T. Scott (UC Davis) will deliver the keynote address.
We welcome submissions of abstracts of 300–500 words from applicants who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and who have not yet received a PhD. As conference papers will be selected on the basis of abstracts alone, we will be grateful for clear, substantive, concise, and well-edited submissions.
Submission deadline: Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at midnight (PST).
Notification of acceptance: February 2026.
Participants will be asked to submit their materials two weeks before the conference. We expect finished research papers that are roughly article-length. Each presenter will receive feedback from a Berkeley discussant.
Funding: We will be able to help the selected presenters cover travel expenses. Funds will be allocated on the basis of travel distance and applicant’s access to other sources of support. The event is generously supported by the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science.
Please email any questions to grey.b.liu@berkeley.edu / anna.closas@berkeley.edu
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