CFP: Sciences Po 4th Graduate Political Theory Conference

We are happy to announce that the Fourth Sciences Po Graduate Political Theory Conference is going to take place at Sciences Po, Paris, 21-22 June, 2016.

We welcome contributions from young political theorists across the board and intend to accommodate various approaches to political theory (analytical, historical, normative and critical). We also aim at geographic diversity, in that we shall try to foster a substantial academic dialogue between young political theorists from Europe and their peers across the world.

Chantal Mouffe (University of Westminster) will deliver the keynote address. The work of Chantal Mouffe covers a broad range of topics regarding democratic theory, post-marxism and the critique of liberal politics. She has written extensively on issues related to the Gramscian concept of hegemony, the discursive construction of political subjects, agonistic pluralism and radical democracy, and has touched on subjects such as European politics, citizenship, feminism and artistic practices. Contributions that touch upon any of these subject-matters are encouraged, but we welcome proposals on other topics as well.

Only graduate students who have not defended their PhD are eligible. Each two hours-long session of the conference will concentrate on two to three papers and will be chaired by a Sciences Po graduate student. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session open to the public.

Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will also be provided for the duration of the conference. Unfortunately, Sciences Po will not be able to provide funds for housing and transportation.

Submission Information

Please send us:

·      A detailed abstract (between 500-750 words) of your proposal in PDF format, prepared for blind review.

·      A separate document, mentioning your name, the title of your proposal, and your institutional affiliation.

Please note:

·      The submission deadline for proposals is March 20, 2016

·      All proposals should be sent to [email protected]

·      Proposals and final papers should be written in English or French, which are the two working languages of the graduate conference.  

Selection procedure

·      Political theory students from Sciences Po doctoral school will select approximately 13 proposals on a blind basis.

·      The selected participants will be notified of their acceptance by April 20, 2016. All the other proposals will be acknowledged.

Selection committee: Ygaël Attali, Aliénor Ballangé, Amélie Bescont, Charleyne Biondi, David Copello, Emilien Fargues, Victor Fontaine, Anne Guillard, Margaux Le Donné, Capucine Truong, Catherine Xhardez.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]

For further information on other activities and events organized by the Political Theory Program at Sciences Po, please visit (and like) our facebook page: Sciences Po, Paris - Théorie Politique