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About Research Committees |
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Each committee is cross-national in membership, and its affairs are managed, subject to general IPSA guidelines, by an executive board consisting of IPSA members. Each research committee is required to organize at least one roundtable meeting between World Congresses and is also entitled to organize two panels at each World Congress. MembershipMembership of research committees is open to all individual members of IPSA and to all members of national associations affiliated to IPSA as collective members. The former may ask to be put in touch with particular research committees by so indicating on their IPSA membership form. Others may join by contacting the chairs of the groups in question (see the complete list). Further information on membership and on the activities of particular committees and groups may also be obtained from Dr. Rainer Eisfled, Research Committees Liaison Representative (
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).
ObjectivesIn the IPSA statutes, the objectives of RC are spelled out as follows:
- Develop research in political science, especially work based on international co-operation;
- Organize and maintain personal contacts among political scientists with common interests;
- Disseminate information and publish scholarly research;
- Provide a framework between individuals and organizations concerned with teaching and research in political and other social sciences.
HistoryIt was at the 8th World Congress, held in Munich in 1970, that IPSA decided to institutionalize research activities in political science throughout the world. It did so by officially setting up research committees. This move may be regarded as a timely recognition of the need but also the opportunity for political scientists working in particular sub-fields of the discipline to associate with colleagues from their own and from other continents in the pursuit of their research. Between 1970 and 1976, 14 RC were established, signaling that IPSA had indeed responded to a growing demand among IPSA members. Between 1976 and 1999, a large number of research group were established; many of them subsequently moved up to RC status following the 1999 Executive Committee decision. At present, IPSA has recognized 49 RC. Furthermore, the importance of RC was recognized in 1979 by setting up a special Executive Committee sub-committee known as the Committee on Research and Training (CRT), who monitors the activities or RC.
In recent years, largely as a result of the rapid growth in both their numbers and in the size of their individual memberships, the RCs have sought to play a larger role within IPSA. This is particularly the case in the period between World Congresses, when they contribute more than any other body to the activity and achievements of IPSA. All these actions are serious efforts to help RC links and to improve RC role in allowing them to be heard in the overall IPSA context.
ContactThe Liaison Representative Prof. Rainer Eisfeld (Germany) can be reached at
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.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 02 July 2007 )
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