Oxford University Press's
Academic Insights for the Thinking World

A guide to the ISA 2018 conference

Founded in 1959, the International Studies Association is one of the oldest interdisciplinary associations, dedicated to understanding international and global affairs. With a world-wide presence and growing influence, the ISA is instrumental to the promotion and funding of International Studies. Their annual convention will take place between 4-7 April, this year in San Francisco and there will be multiple events taking place throughout the week. Here are a few of the events we are looking forward to:

Wednesday 4 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Roundtable: “The Promise and Paradox of War.” A Roundtable Discussion on Maja Zehfuss’s War and the Politics of EthicsMaja Zehfuss will partake in a roundtable focusing on his study of the paradoxical nature of contemporary wars, which often kill the civilians they intended to protect. Cian O’ Driscoll will participate on the same roundtable ahead of his own on Thursday.

Wednesday 4 April 10:30am – 12:15pm: 

Roundtable: “The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy.” Matthew Kroenig will present a roundtable on Amercia’s nuclear capabilites, the place of nuclear power within international politics and the fundamental aspects of nuclear deterrents and nuclear strategy.

Wednesday 4 April 1:45pm- 3:30pm 

Panel: “Environment and Conflict.” Erika S. Weinhall will speak on a panel focusing on multiple environmental topics, including the environmental infrastructure of the Israeli-Palestinian-Arab conflict, and the challenges of securing water and sanitation for citizens affected by warfare in Africa. Erika will be speaking on several panels at the ISA Conference. 

Wednesday 4 April 4.00pm – 5:45pm 

Panel: “Is Russia a Revisionist Power?” William Wohlforth will speak on a panel focusing on contemporary Russia and post-communist systems. William will speak on several other panels throughout the week which explore aspects of international security and American foreign policy.

Wednesday 4 April 4.00pm – 5:45pm

Roundtable: “Producing Knowledge About Knowledge Production in Conflict Settings: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities.” Sara De Jong will partake in a roundtable which will explore the sociological aspects of international politics and peacekeeping operations.

Thursday 5 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Roundtable: “International Political Theory and “Real Politics” II: Issues, Problems, and Policies.” Cian O’Driscoll will attend a panel focusing on his study of moral victory in contemporary warfare, with victories themselves often being ambiguous and compromising affairs.

Thursday 5 April 1:45pm – 3:30pm

Panel: “Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Governance in Areas of Limited Statehood.” Anke Draude will chair a panel which will explore one of the conferences key themes: Power of Rules and Rule of Power. She will be joined by Tanja A. Borzel.

Thursday 5 April 4:00pm – 5:45pm

Roundtable: “The Power to Make and break Rules: How Are Non-State Actors Reshaping International Norms on Justice and Security?” Adam Bower will participate on a roundtable discussion which will explore one of the conferences key themes: Power of Rules and Rule of Power.

Friday 6 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Roundtable: “Trust and Distrust in International Relations.” Nicholas John Wheeler will partake in a roundtable discussion which will explore the turbulent relationships between rival countries and trust-building between enemy nations seeking to cooperate.

Friday 6 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Panel: “New and Old Institutions in Global Health Governance.” Jeremy Youde will attend a panel to discuss contemporary aspects and challenges of global health, with a focus on Brazil’s position in international health institutions.

Friday 6 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Roundtable: “Coercion: The Power to Hurt in International Politics.” Kelly Greenhill and Peter Krause will chair a roundtable themed on international security and the relationships between countries which have been affected by migration, terrorism and cyber warfare.

Saturday 7 April 8:15am – 10:00am

Panel: “The Intellectual Legacy of Lewis F. Richardson I: Models of Arms Races and Beyond.” Mark Crescenzi will attend a panel on the scientific study of international processes, with a focus on cooperation and conflict.

Saturday 7 April 1:45pm – 3:30pm

Panel: “From Migrants Rights to the Right to Migrate: Global Standards, Regional Paradigms and National Discourses.” Justin Gest will partake in a panel to discuss matters on ethnicity, nationalism and migration. Justin’s focus will be on immigration policy-making within autocratic regimes.

 Saturday 7 April 4:00pm – 5:45pm

Panel: “The Thinking and Practice of Post-Crash IMF and the Opening and Closing of Domestic Economy Policy Space: Are the Days of “One-Size-Fits-All?” Gone?” Ben Clift will partake in a panel to discuss the political economy on an international scale, and the International Monetary Fund.

These are but a few of many events taking place at the ISA conference this week. We hope that you are as excited as we are to be attending the conference, and we hope to see you there!

Featured Image Credit: Panorama Golden Gate Bridge by 1552036. Public domain via Pixabay.

Recent Comments

There are currently no comments.