Academic Conference

Decay in Democracy

The Academic Conference is hosted by the International, Political & Policy Studies Student Association. Every year we invite guest speakers from various fields of expertise to share about topics relevant to the conference's theme. We aim to provide networking opportunities with industry professionals for our attendees.

What are we?

The Academic Conference is a student-led, two-day event where attendees will hear from keynote speakers and participate in insightful panel discussions. Beyond the formal sessions, we invite you to take advantage of network opportunities with peers and panelists during the conference sessions, as well as at the networking event.

In March 2025, uOttawa will proudly host the Academic Conference for the second time. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa offers an unparalleled platform to explore its rich political environment and inspire future leaders. The conference features interactive workshops led by top sponsors, thought-provoking panel discussions, and engaging social events. Students from diverse backgrounds will gain practical insights and tools to turn their academic learning into impactful actions, strengthening the connection between political theory and real-world application.

Event Details

March 7-9, in-person, 120 University Private, uOttawa: This year's conference will be hosted entirly in person in the Faculty of Social Science building.
The Academic Conference is open to anyone in the National Capital Region between March 8-9th.

Tickets

Our Pillars

This year's conference is built on:

Leadership
- Developing the next generation of leaders through tools that inspire, motivate, and drive change. Hands-on workshops and engaging discussions focus on integrity and navigating complex political and social environments. Practical scenarios and case studies provide a platform to apply leadership concepts in real-world contexts.
Relationship Building
- Strengthening networks and fostering collaborative partnerships essential for effective leadership and policy-making. Emphasizing meaningful connections across disciplines and sectors. Networking opportunities create a foundation for long-term collaborations and interdisciplinary solutions.
Public Policy
- Bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application in policy-making. Participants engage with experts to explore policy development, analysis, and implementation, gaining critical insights to address today’s pressing issues. Interactive sessions encourage critical thinking and equip future policymakers to tackle emerging global challenges.

We aim for our conference to be accessible for all students who are interested. We hope that promoting the use of both official languages encourages anglo and franco students to participating in the day's events. IPPSSA is a non-partisan organization, we represent all students, no matter their political affiliation. We believe that students from across the political spectrum will benefit from this conference, and will connect them to industry professionals in their fields of interest.

Essay Competition

Academic Conference 2025 is coming up and yPolitika is hosting an essay competition once again. You can submit a new paper or one you've written for a class. The essay competition is open to students across Canada who plan on attending the conference!

The writers of the top 5 essays will be able to present their paper to a panel of experienced professionals who will be the judges at the Academic Conference. This is a great professional development opportunity, and we can't wait to read everyone's articles

First place cash prize is 300$ Deadline to submit is February 1st, 2025.

Submit your essay here

Highlighted Events

Networking on the Hill

After our presentations and workshops on March 8th, we will conclude the day's activities with our highly anticipated event, Networking on the Hill.

This event allows students to be meet professionals in fields of their interest, and learn more about the current job market. It is also a great place to mingle with other conference attendees from across the country.

Politika Essay Competition

The Academic Conference hosts a panel of judges from various fields to judge the annual Politika Essay Competition. The authors of the top 5 essays submitted to Politika present their papers to a panel of Judges and conference attendees and the winner is declared at the end of the Conference.

The winner of the Essay Competition will receive a 300$ cash prize.

Public Policy Competition

Attendees will have the opportunity to work with peers to create policy in response to a question. This opportunity mimics the creation of policy in the government, and is an excellent professional development opportunity for students.