Changes and (Dis)Continuities

co-organised with the University of the Philippines Baguio College of Social Sciences
Newtown Plaza Convention Center, Baguio City
23-24 May 2025

Conference Theme

Politics and our political realities are in constant flux around the world. Changes can happen physically, within observable boundaries and cognitively as the understanding and appreciation of the political evolves. Changes can be transformative, but they can also result in the discontinuation of a political phenomenon and signal continuity in some respects. As societies and polities face changes daily, it becomes incumbent upon political scientists, social science scholars, practitioners, and other interested parties to revisit and help us understand these changes. 

Change may generally mean discontinuity. Therefore, introducing something new in any political context can signal a break—disruption and dissociation—from the existing. New leadership may engender new policies. New contexts may demand new strategies and responses. A difference in political style can trigger a series of discontinuities. National and foreign policies have been revised, reformed, and reconfigured to suit the dominant political narrative of the day and the demands of dominant stakeholders. Old political alliances break down while new ones are formed.

Paradoxically, change can also mean continuity. Even when occupants of political offices, national and local policies, and the overall political landscape change, many aspects of politics remain the same, such as political dynasties, inequalities, and conflicts. A change may signal continuation rather than a break from the norm. Thus, the evolutionary nature of politics does not mean an outright departure from what has been. Instead, changes can be avenues to preserve the status quo. 

Focusing on changes and dis/continuities frames recent political developments in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the rest of the world. It assesses the prospects for domestic and international politics across critically important issues. By examining the nexus of changes and (dis)continuities in politics, a more nuanced, if not a more complete, understanding of human polity comes to the fore. 

The conference invites scholars and practitioners to question the existing conceptualisations and understandings in Philippine politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and research methodology, primarily from the standpoint of changes and dis/continuities. It seeks to offer a wide array of possibilities for scientific inquiry and thoughtful interrogation. The 2025 International Conference of PPSA hopes to bring together presentations examining the changes and (dis)continuities in Philippine politics and the discipline of political science.

Conference Sub-themes

Among the sub-themes that the conference panels could address are the following:

• Autocratisation and Authoritarianism
• Changes in Local, Regional, and National Politics
• Changing Understanding of Sovereignty
• Civil Society and Democratic Consolidation
• Corruption and Political Change
• Democratisation and Human Rights 
• Elections: Breakaways and Alliances
• Environmental Politics and Climate Change
• Everyday Politics, Resistance, and Change
• Evolution of Gender Studies in Politics
• Identities and Intersectionalities
• Immigration and Emigration Politics and Policies
• Mainstreams and Margins
• Peasantry and Developmental Politics
• Political Culture and Policymaking
• Political Mobilisation and the Digital Space
• Politics and Technology
• Politics of Change
• Politics of Continuities and Discontinuities
• Politics of Disinformation in the Changing World
• Realignments in International Politics
• Religion, Culture, and the Changing Political Climate

In addition to the above research panels, the conference also allows for pedagogical panels that can include the following:

• Comparative Politics and Area Studies
• Regional Situations (Northeast, Southeast, West, South, and Central Asia Perspectives)
• Perspectives on Advocacy Movements
• The Study of Political Science as a Discipline: Contemporaries and Futures
• Research Methodologies in Political Science
• Ethics and Politics

About the PPSA

The Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) continues to observe more than 60 years of path-breaking contributions to the promotion of the study of politics through the professional development of its members and academic advances made in teaching, research, and public service. The PPSA, through its activities in general and its annual conferences in particular, has continuously and critically engaged fellow academics, policymakers, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and social movement players, as well as public intellectuals on topics touching on day-to-day political realities at the local, regional, and international arenas.

A key strength of the PPSA is that it is multidisciplinary in its approaches as well as in its engagements. Thus, its members do not only include political scientists but also scholars from other social science disciplines. As with the previous PPSA conferences, the 2025 International Conference foresees the participation of around 200 academics, researchers, public intellectuals, well-known policy and opinion makers, social movements and civil society players in Baguio City.

Proposal Submissions and Participation Rules

Paper abstracts should consist of a maximum of 250 words and include research question(s) and research method(s). Panel proposals should also contain a panel description of not more than 250 words, aside from the individual abstracts of the papers included in the panel. Proposals will be peer-reviewed.

Individual appearances are limited to one (1) appearance in the program in each role to maximise participation. No individual may appear more than once in each of these roles: (a) chair of a panel and (b) presenter (main author or co-author).

Panel proposals should strive for regional and gender balance and​ include younger scholars following the diversity policy in PPSA’s Goals (2023-2025). As such, all-male panel proposals are not permitted.

Those interested in presenting or convening panels may submit their proposals through this Google Form: [LINK] or [LINK]

Deadlines and Dates to Remember

Call for Proposals (Paper and Panels): 8 November 2024

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts: 15 January 2025

Release of Acceptance Notices: 28 February 2025

Confirmation of Participation and Registration of Presenters: 15 March 2025

Deadline of Payment for Participants: 15 April 2025

Release of Book of Abstracts: 30 April 2025

Eligibility

Scholars, activists, practitioners, public servants, and public intellectuals from the Philippines, Asia, and other regions are encouraged to participate in the conference.

Conference Fees

All participants, including presenters and role players, must pay the conference fee of PhP 6,000.00. Discounted rates are available for graduate and undergraduate students upon presentation of (1) proof of enrollment and (2) a school identification card. Nominated individuals by institutional members also enjoy a discounted rate.

Conference fees

For all paper presenters and role players: PhP 6,000.00

(includes presenting graduate students)

Discounted rates

Life-time members (former PPSA presidents): PhP 3,000.00

Graduate students (non-presenting): PhP 5,500.00

Nominated individuals of institutional members: PhP 2,500.00

Undergraduate students (non-presenting): PhP 1,500.00

Further Inquiries

For inquiries, please contact:

The Secretariat
Philippine Political Science Association
E-mail: philpolsci@gmail.com