Succeed as a Student and Secure a Career in Academia

Overview

Join the Institute for Humane Studies for a two-day, in-person graduate papers workshop on “Authoritarian Institutions and State Dynamics,” hosted in partnership with Dr. Henry Thomson, Dr. Susan Hyde, Dr. David Samuels, and Dr. Jose Kaire. Held in Tempe, Arizona, on January 23–24, this workshop offers PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present works in progress and receive detailed, constructive feedback from peers and faculty discussants.

We welcome research examining how authoritarian regimes structure, maintain, and contest political power, including work on the political economy of autocracy, institutional design in non-democratic systems, coercive and administrative state capacity, regime durability and breakdown, elite dynamics, mass mobilization, and other inquiries at the intersection of comparative politics, political economy, and state governance. Projects ranging from abstracts to full paper drafts are encouraged.

Participants will deepen their research, engage in substantive discussions, and connect with a community of scholars investigating the logic, institutions, and consequences of governance under authoritarian rule. IHS will provide all participants with a $200 honorarium in addition to a travel stipend to offset travel, lodging, and meal costs.

Expert Panelists

• Henry Thomson, Arizona State University
• Jose Kaire, Arizona State University
• Susan Hyde, University of California-Berkeley
• David Samuels, University of Minnesota

Schedule

Friday, January 23

6:30 PM | Welcome Dinner

Saturday, January 24

9:00 AM | Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM | Paper Sessions

12:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM | Paper Sessions / Coffee Breaks

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks

6:00 PM | Closing Dinner

Overview

Join the Institute for Humane Studies for a two-day, in-person graduate papers workshop on health care innovations and regulatory reforms, hosted in partnership with Dr. Alicia Plemmons of West Virginia University (WVU). Held at WVU on January 30–31, this workshop offers PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present works in progress and receive detailed, constructive feedback from peers and faculty discussants.

We welcome research exploring the economics and regulation of health care, medical innovation and entrepreneurship, telemedicine, scope-of-practice reform, health care labor markets, and other topics at the intersection of health policy, institutions, and human well-being.

Participants will strengthen their research, engage in thoughtful discussion, and connect with a community of scholars working to understand and improve the frameworks that shape health innovation. IHS will provide all participants with a $200 honorarium in addition to a travel stipend to offset travel, lodging, and meal costs.

Expert Panelists

• Alicia Plemmons (West Virginia University)
• Nathan Burke (West Virginia University)
• Palak Suri (West Virginia University)
• Steve Miller (Franciscan University of Steubenville)

Schedule

Friday, January 30

7:00 PM | Welcome Dinner

Saturday, January 31

9:00 AM | Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM | Paper Sessions

12:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM | Paper Sessions / Coffee Breaks

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks

6:00 PM | Closing Dinner

Overview

Join the Institute for Humane Studies for a two-day, in-person graduate papers workshop on “Non-Governmental Actors Shaping Technology,” hosted in partnership with Dr. Chris Whyte and Dr. Karl Grindal. Held in Manchester, New Hampshire, on February 6–7, this workshop offers PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present works in progress and receive detailed, constructive feedback from peers and faculty discussants.

We welcome research examining how actors outside the formal state apparatus—such as private firms, civil society organizations, open-source networks, criminal groups, and other non-state institutions—shape the development, governance, security, and societal implications of emerging technologies. Relevant topics include cybersecurity and digital threat ecosystems, AI governance, platform and infrastructure regulation, decentralized technology communities, information operations, and other inquiries at the intersection of technology, institutions, and global security.

Participants will deepen their research, engage in rich discussion, and connect with a community of scholars working on similar topics. IHS will provide all participants with a $200 honorarium in addition to a travel stipend to offset travel, lodging, and meal costs.

Expert Panelists

• Karl Grindal, University of New Hampshire
• Christopher Whyte, Virginia Commonwealth University

Schedule

Friday, February 6

7:00 PM | Welcome Dinner

Saturday, February 7

9:00 AM | Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM | Paper Sessions

12:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM | Paper Sessions / Coffee Breaks

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks

6:00 PM | Closing Dinner

Overview

Join the Institute for Humane Studies for a two-day, in-person graduate papers workshop on “The Political Economy of Trade,” hosted in partnership with Dr. Ryan Powers (University of Georgia). Held in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 13–14, this workshop offers PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present works in progress and receive detailed, constructive feedback from peers and faculty discussants.

We welcome research examining the domestic and international politics of trade, including work on public opinion and political behavior, the impacts of globalization, elite and policy communication, trade agreements, protectionism, global commerce, and other inquiries at the intersection of trade, political economy, and global economic governance. Projects ranging from abstracts to full paper drafts are encouraged.

Participants will deepen their research, engage in substantive discussions, and connect with a community of scholars working in the trade politics space. IHS will provide all participants with lodging, a travel stipend to offset the costs of travel and meals, and a $200 honorarium.

Expert Panelist

• Ryan Powers (University of Georgia)

Schedule

Friday, February 13

6:30 PM | Welcome Dinner

Saturday, February 14

9:00 AM | Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM | Paper Sessions

12:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM | Paper Sessions / Coffee Breaks

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks

6:00 PM | Closing Dinner

Overview

Join the Institute for Humane Studies for a two-day, in-person graduate papers workshop on “New Directions in Classical Liberal Thought,” hosted in partnership with Dr. Matt Zwolinski, Dr. Kobi Finestone, Dr. Emily Skarbek, and Dr. Mikayla Novak. Held at the University of San Diego on February 20–21, 2026, this workshop offers PhD students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to present works in progress and receive detailed, constructive feedback from peers and faculty discussants.

We especially welcome interdisciplinary research that intersects with the liberal tradition in novel and innovative ways. This workshop invites scholars who are developing bold ideas that illuminate new directions for liberal thought—whether by reexamining foundational concepts, exploring emerging institutional challenges, or analyzing the cultural, social, technological, and historical dynamics shaping liberal societies today. Projects at any stage, from abstract to full paper draft, are encouraged.

Participants will refine their research, engage in substantive cross-disciplinary dialogue, and join a community of scholars examining how liberal ideas can evolve and respond to contemporary questions. IHS will provide all participants with a $200 honorarium in addition to a travel stipend to offset travel, lodging, and meal costs.

Expert Panelists

• Matt Zwolinski, University of San Diego
• Kobi Finestone, University of San Diego
• Emily Skarbek, Brown University
• Mikayla Novak, George Mason University

Schedule

Friday, February 20

7:00 PM | Welcome Dinner

Saturday, February 21

9:00 AM | Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:15 AM | Paper Sessions

12:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM | Paper Sessions / Coffee Breaks

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks

6:00 PM | Closing Dinner

Overview

Present your research online and get feedback from faculty at the IHS “Graduate Conference for the Humanities.” This online graduate research conference offers students working in the humanities an opportunity to present their most recent work to esteemed faculty and peers. Please note that for this conference, projects should feature qualitative methods and theoretical contributions. The program is free to attend online. IHS offers a $100 honorarium for full participation in the conference. Each student will have 15–20 minutes to present and 10–15 minutes for discussion.