RC35 - Technology and Development

IPSA Work-in-Progress Sessions 2026 (IPSA-WiPS)

Web Admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:29:00 -0400

The IPSA Work-in-Progress Sessions (IPSA-WiPS) is an online event taking place over 13 – 19 July 2026. It aims to establish a series of interactive workshops where individual IPSA members can present and engage in in-depth discussions about their ongoing research with colleagues who share similar interests and topics. This format provides a good opportunity for paper authors to receive specific and substantial feedback that is often lacking in other conference settings. The titles and content of the Units will be curated by IPSA Research Committees, Collective Member associations and Executive Committee Members.

IPSA-WiPS emphasizes on “work in progress” papers, so completed research is not a requirement. Each participant will present their ongoing research (works in progress) and receives feedback from other participants and the Research Committee. These workshops are only available to accepted and registered workshop participants.

The goal is to provide valuable feedback on research and foster the development of special journal issues, books, research networks, and project proposals.

There is a two-stage process for submitting proposals to the IPSA Work-in-Progress Sessions

Call for Units | 3 FEB – 17 MAR 2026 ( Extended Deadline)
Call for Papers | 31 MAR – 6 MAY 2026

Learn more about the IPSA Work-in-Progress Sessions by exploring the sections (tabs above) on Key Dates, Guidelines, Call for Proposals, and Registration.

Important Note:

Participants are expected to engage and participate in the discussion of all Papers in the workshops within their Unit.
Participants and workshop chairs must be IPSA members and pay the registration fees.

Welcome Address and Our History (2006–2025)

Web Admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Research Committee on Technology and Development (RC35)
International Political Science Association (IPSA)

“Science leads us from A to B, imagination leads us everywhere.”
— Albert Einstein (1879–1955)

Background

Recognised as a Study Group in 1981 and granted Research Committee status in 1990, RC35 has consistently fulfilled its mission with excellence and intellectual rigour in advancing the study of Technology and Development within Political Science.

Over the decades, RC35 has established itself as a vibrant scholarly platform connecting researchers working on governance, innovation, political economy, digital transformation, sustainable development, and global technological change.

Since 2008, RC35 has maintained a constant and active presence in IPSA World Congresses and international conferences, contributing panels, publications, and collaborative research initiatives.

IPSA World Congresses (2006–2025)

2025 Seoul – 28th World Congress
(Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies)
2023 Buenos Aires – 27th World Congress
(Politics in the Age of Transboundary Crises)
2021 Virtual – 26th World Congress
(New Nationalisms in an Open World)
2018 Brisbane – 25th World Congress
(Borders and Margins)
2017 Hanover – Conference
(Political Science in a Digital Age)
2016 Poznań – 24th World Congress
(Politics in a World of Inequality)
2014 Montréal – 23rd World Congress
(Challenges of Contemporary Governance)
2012 Madrid – 22nd World Congress
(Reshaping Power, Shifting Boundaries)
2011 São Paulo – Conference
(Whatever Happened to North-South? Joint Conference with ECPR)
2010 Luxembourg – Conference
(European Models of Governance: A Comparative Perspective)
2009 Santiago – 21st World Congress
(Global Discontent? Dilemmas of Change)
2008 Montréal – Conference
(International Political Science: New Theoretical and Regional Perspectives)
2006 Fukuoka – 20th World Congress
(Is Democracy Working?)

RC35 Renewal and Strategic Direction (2023–2027)

At the 27th IPSA World Congress in Buenos Aires (2023), a newly elected and substantially renewed RC35 Committee was formed. During the Committee Meeting, members adopted a Plan for Action (2023–2025) aimed at strengthening:

Global academic networking
Publication output
Early-career scholar engagement
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Visibility within IPSA

The 28th IPSA World Congress in Seoul (2025) marks a new milestone for RC35. With strong participation and renewed intellectual momentum, RC35 enters the 2025–2027 leadership cycle with a consolidated international board and a forward-looking research agenda addressing:

Digital governance and democracy
AI and political development
Technological sovereignty
Sustainable innovation
North–South technological dynamics
Global power shifts in the age of intelligent machines

The newly elected RC35 Board (2025–2027) reflects geographical diversity and interdisciplinary excellence, strengthening our position within IPSA and the global political science community.

Our Mission

RC35 is more than a research committee. It is:

A meeting place to think
A platform to act
A space to publish
A network for civic engagement
A forum for political economy debate
A laboratory for imagining future technological orders

We look forward to the future.

Recognising the past.
Transforming the present.
Understanding that every point of arrival is also a point of departure.

Welcome!

MRS, Chair RC35

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You can contact our RC35 at:

Dr. Miguel Rocha de Sousa,

RC35 Chair, Technology and Development, IPSA.

Assistant Professor of Economics

University of Évora,

Portugal.

mrsousa@uevora.pt

New Issue of International Political Science Review Published — January 2026

Web Admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:52:00 -0500

We are pleased to share that IPSA’s flagship journal, the International Political Science Review (IPSR), has launched its January 2026 issue (Volume 47, Issue 1).

This new edition brings together a diverse and globally relevant set of peer-reviewed articles covering a wide spectrum of topics in contemporary political science. The issue reflects the vibrant intellectual range of the discipline and the global community connected through IPSA.

Highlights from the January 2026 issue include:

Innovative research design integrating hypothesis development and testing.
Experimental studies on citizen preferences for political representation.
Analyses of digital public governance and corruption in African contexts.
Gender-focused examinations of political leadership and crisis response.
Investigations of economic inequality and demands for redistribution.
Research exploring populism, citizen resentment, and political consumerism.

Contributors to this issue represent institutions and research communities from Africa, Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas, demonstrating the truly international character of IPSR and its commitment to comparative and interdisciplinary scholarship.

RC35 congratulates all authors and editors for their contributions to this compelling issue. RC35 members and IPSA subscribers can access the full volume and the IPSR archives through the My IPSA member portal.

Stay tuned for future updates on IPSR special issues, calls for papers, and featured contributions from RC35 scholars.

Warm regards,
RC35 — Technology and Development Committee
International Political Science Association (IPSA)

RC35 News — IPSA World Congress Rome 2027

Web Admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:29:00 -0500

We are pleased to announce that the 29th IPSA World Congress of Political Science will take place in Rome, Italy, from 24–28 July 2027. The official theme of the Congress is: “Uncertain Democracies: Rethinking Governance in a Changing Global System”

This timely theme invites scholars to examine how democratic systems respond to global political, economic, and technological transformations — an agenda that strongly resonates with the mission of RC35 – Technology and Development.

Following the successful RC35 participation at the 27th World Congress in Buenos Aires (2023) and the dynamic engagement at the 28th World Congress in Seoul (2025), the Research Committee on Technology and Development (RC35) looks forward to continuing its vibrant presence at the upcoming IPSA World Congress 2027.

The Rome 2027 Congress will convene political scientists, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss cutting-edge themes in global politics, governance, innovation, and development. It presents an excellent opportunity for RC35 members to contribute panels, present research, and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue at the heart of the international political science community.

Save the Dates

IPSA World Congress 2027
Location: Rome, Italy
Dates: 24–28 July 2027
Theme: Uncertain Democracies: Rethinking Governance in a Changing Global System
Official page: https://www.ipsa.org/events/congress/rome2027

Why Rome 2027 Matters for RC35

The Rome World Congress will be an important milestone in the RC35 Plan for Action 2025–2027. Our committee continues to expand its impact across international research networks, especially in fields such as:

Digital transformation and political change
Artificial intelligence, governance, and regulation
Technology, inequality, and development
Innovation policy and political economy
Global technology governance

We warmly invite all RC35 members — from early-career scholars to established researchers — to participate actively in the Congress, contribute to the intellectual exchange, and help shape global conversations on technology and development in an era of democratic uncertainty.

Stay tuned for RC35 updates with guidance on panel proposals, submission deadlines, and opportunities to collaborate.

Warm regards,
RC35 – Technology and Development Committee
International Political Science Association (IPSA)

Board Announcement 2025–2027

Web Admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:26:00 -0400

We are pleased to announce the newly appointed Board of the IPSA Research Committee 35 (RC35) on Technology and Development for the 2025–2027 term. The new leadership team reflects RC35’s continued commitment to intellectual diversity, global representation, and interdisciplinary excellence in the study of technology, development, innovation governance, and digital transformation...

The 2025–2027 Board brings together distinguished scholars and emerging voices from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, reinforcing RC35’s position as a truly global research network within the International Political Science Association.

Executive Board (2025–2027)

Chair
Assist. Prof. Dr. Miguel Rocha de Sousa
University of Évora, Portugal
mrsousa@uevora.pt

Co-Chair
Assist. Prof. Dr. Preeti Sharma
Central University of Gujarat, India
preeti.sharma@cug.ac.in

Vice-Chair
Assist. Prof. Dr. Marina Jose Kaneti
National University of Singapore, Singapore
sppmk@nus.edu.sg

Executive Secretary
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rúbia Marcussi Pontes
College of Campinas (FACAMP), Brazil
rubia.pontes@facamp.com.br

Regular RC35 Members

Prof. Dr. Dhirendra Vajpeyi, Emeritus Chair RC35, University of Northern Iowa, USA – dkv@cfu.net
Prof. Dr. Sheila Rai, Former Chair RC35, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India – sheelarai598@gmail.com
Prof. Dr. Kul Kiran Gaikwad, Sikar Raj, India – kulkirangauraad@gmail.com
Prof. Dr. Anuroday Bajpai, University of Lucknow, India – anurodaybajpai@gmail.com
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jing Cheng, Xidian University, China – jingcheng@xidian.edu.cn
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tulika Chakravorty, Bangabasi Morning College, India – tulikachakravorty1@gmail.com
Assist. Prof. Dr. Kris Hartley, Arizona State University, USA – kris.hartley@asu.edu
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nancy Pathak, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, India – nancypathak@lsr.du.ac.in
Dr. Snigdha Tripathi, DDU Gorakhpur University, India – shwetaat2910@gmail.com
Dr. Özlem Pınar Oran, Hacettepe University, Türkiye – drozlempinaroran@gmail.com
Dr. Zeljana Zmire, Pusan University, South Korea – zeljana@pusan.ac.kr
Dr. Brian Warby, University of Northern Iowa (formerly), USA – brian.warby@uni.edu
Dr. Siddhardha Kollabathini, Rashtriya Raksha University, India – siddhardha.kollabathini@gmail.com
Ms. Tlhokomelo Rethabile Monethi, MA, The Compass Management Hub, Lesotho – tlhokomelomonethi@gmail.com
Ms. Olena Kolodiy, Ph.D. Candidate, Catholic University of Portugal, Portugal – olenakolodiy@gmail.com
Ms. Carolina Polito, Ph.D. Candidate, LUISS University, Italy – cpolito@luiss.it
Mr. Neeraj Singh Marko, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India – neerajsm.m@gmail.com
Mr. Éberson Polita, Ph.D. Candidate, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – ebpolita@gmail.com
Mr. Gerardo Rodriguez de la Vega, Ph.D. Candidate, University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Argentina – gerardo.grodriguezdlv@unsta.ed.ar

Looking Ahead

Under this new leadership, RC35 will continue to advance cutting-edge scholarship on:

Technology and global development
Digital governance and public policy
Innovation ecosystems and institutional change
AI, emerging technologies, and global inequalities
Cooperation and technological capacity-building

The 2025–2027 term aims to strengthen global academic collaboration, expand early-career scholar engagement, and promote inclusive research agendas addressing the political dimensions of technological transformation.

We warmly congratulate the new Board and look forward to a dynamic and productive term.

For collaboration proposals, membership inquiries, and upcoming events, please contact the Chair or Executive Secretary.

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IPSA RC35 Technology and Development

Participation — Volume 44, Number 1 (August 2024) Now Available

Web Admin — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:29:00 -0400

The latest issue of Participation — IPSA’s official bulletin — Volume 44, Number 1 (August 2024) is now available online. This edition places special emphasis on the 28th IPSA World Congress of Political Science and provides extensive insight into Congress preparations, programming, and IPSA activities worldwide.

The issue highlights the 2025 IPSA World Congress in Seoul, organized under the theme: “Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies”. It features reflections from IPSA leadership, contributions from the Local Organizing Committee, and discussions surrounding the intellectual direction of the Congress. The bulletin also introduces plenary speakers, presents venue information, and shares updates from IPSA’s global research networks and National Associations.

Key Features of This Issue

Messages from the IPSA President and Executive Director
Letters from the Seoul Local Organizing Committee
Reflections on the Congress theme
Plenary speaker profiles
Information on Congress logistics and participation
Coverage of IPSA’s 75th Anniversary initiatives
Updates from Research Committees and Summer Schools

For RC35 members, this issue provides valuable context for understanding IPSA’s broader strategic direction and the evolving debates shaping the discipline of political science.

We encourage our members to explore the full bulletin via the official IPSA website and stay engaged with IPSA activities leading up to the World Congress.

Warm regards,

RC35 – Technology and Development Committee

International Political Science Association (IPSA)

Our Recent Past (1998-2006)

Miguel Rocha de Sousa — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:42:00 +0100

1998-2007 Past Activities

Following Mid-Congress Conferences (1998 - 2007) were organized in Africa, Asia (South), Latin America, Russia, and the USA:

RC 35 Technology and Development

1998-2007 Past Activities

Following Mid-Congress Conferences (1998 - 2007) were organized in Africa, Asia (South), Latin America, Russia, and the USA:

Regional Conference held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 7-10 June 1998, on TECHNOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE. The Research Committee 35 and the Department of Geography and Urban Planning at the University of Ibadan organized this mid-Congress conference jointly. About 45 persons took part, most of them from Calabar, Agoiwoye, NSukka, and Lagos. Nine major papers were presented on such topics as deforestation, role of women in agricultural development, water pollution, human rights, and environment and civil strife. Out of this conference, two papers were published in the book Deforestation, Environment and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis edited by Dhirendra K. Vajpeyi. Due to the lack of funding, the conference proceedings were not published, however, some individual papers were published in journals and edited books.
A Regional Conference was organized in Vietnam, June 2000, co-sponsored by the RC 35 and three universities of Vietnam: the University of Dalat, University of Fisheries at Danang, and the University of Finance at Ho Chi Minh City. Topics discussed included international trade and the environmental issues, and sustainable development.
Regional Conference held at the University of Tarapaca, Chile, August 17-20, 2001. The conference was a follow-up of our RC 35 mid-conference held in Arica, Chile March 16-18, 1993. The conference was co-sponsored by the International Program of the University of Tarapaca, the International Program of the University of Northern Iowa, USA, and the IPSA RC 35. Fifty participants from Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, and Mexico attended the meeting. Participants included academics but also policy makers, NGOs, businessmen, and local officials. Topics discussed included: relationship between business and the environment, fisheries, deforestation, development ethics, and the role of NGOs.
The third mid-congress conference took place in Jaipur, India, December 6-8, 2002, when the Research Committee 35 hosted an International Conference on SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES FOR TECHNOLOGY, DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE, hosted by the Department of Political Science, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (India). FIVE Technical Sessions, and Two Plenary sessions took place. In all 37 research papers were presented, and approximately 140 scholars from South Asia, Western Europe, and Americas took part in its proceedings. Sub-themes: (a) Green Governance, (b) Eco Justice, (c) Eco-Feminism, (d) Sustainable Development, (e) Eco-Democracy, and (f) Impact of horticulture and plantation of Sustainable Human Development were addressed at the Conference. Dr. Inakshi Chaturverdi of Jaipur (India) was Conference Director. The Conference received messages from the Vice President of India, the Governor of Rajasthan State, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan State, and also from various other dignitaries. The Conference was inaugurated by the Governor of Karnataka State (India). Members of several NGOs expressed their views and concerns related to the challenges which technology revolution has brought to bear upon the process of democratization and socio-economic justice. The Conference also dealt with the impact of globalization on sustainable development in general, and poverty reduction strategies for developing nations in particular. The Conference Director Dr. (Mrs.) Inakshi Chaturvedi has edited 15 selected (peer reviewed) papers.
A seminar/conference was held in October (12th - 14th) 2004 at the Herzen State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the leadership of Dr. Valentina Smorgunova, Dean, Faculty of Law. Following themes were discussed:
1. Technology, Development and Democracy
1. Women, Sustainable Development and Democracy
2. Democracy, Trade and Technology
3. Democratic Governance and Sustainable Development in a Global Context
On April 3-4, 2007, the RC 35 under the leadership of Dr. Fernando Barrio cosponsored a regional meeting at the Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (USA). Papers were presented on the following topics:
1. Technoilogy and Sustanable Development: Bridging the Digital Divide
2. Globalization of Itellevtual Property in Developing Countries
3. Freedom of Expression and Internet
4. Bio-Technology and Development
Scholars from Turkiye, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria, and USA participated in the Conference. Dr. Barrio is to edit the selected papers.

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