This article examines gender representation at the American Political Science Association's 2017 and 2018 annual meetings. The author analyzes how different program divisions vary significantly in their female representation, revealing concerning disparities that suggest 'manels' persist across political science conferences.
The piece introduces a novel dataset tracking APSA meeting programs over two years to identify patterns in gender imbalance within academic gatherings. It argues conference organizers must address systemic issues rather than just surface-level diversity goals.
Using original field experiment data, we demonstrate how representation varies by section and presentation type. We highlight practical solutions including specific strategies for program chairs to improve inclusivity through concrete policy recommendations.
This work provides actionable steps toward achieving equitable gender representation in political science academic events.
