Western Washington University

05/06/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2026 17:06

31st Political Science Association Conference set for May 12

31st Political Science Association Conference set for May 12

May 6, 2026

The Political Science Department and The Political Science Association present the 31st Annual Political Science Association Conference 8 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. in Arntzen Hall, 4th floor and 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. in Biology Building, Room 234 on Tuesday, May 12. Coffee and donuts will be served in the conference headquarters, Arntzen Hall 419, Payne Lounge.

WA Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis will join panelists Matt Davis, Jude King, Sophia Maynard, Alex O'Connell and Quinlan Zimmerman for a roundtable discussion on Trump v. U.S. (2024): The Supreme Court's Recent Executive Immunity Ruling at 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. in Biology Building 234 with Associate Professor of Political Science Paul Chen moderating the event.

Justice Montoya-Lewis will then deliver the Gordon Sandison Memorial Lecture, "Descendant Daughter," at 4 - 5 p.m. in Academic West 204 and via Zoom.

Schedule of Events

Morning Sessions

8:30 - 10 a.m.: U.S. Public Opinion

Arntzen Hall 421 | Faculty Discussant: Rudy Alamillo

  • Isaac Brandt, "The Impact of Sexuality and Political Identity on Attitudes Towards the US Supreme Court"
  • Consuelo Robalino, "How Does Identity Affect Support for Tax Increases on the Wealthy?"
  • Brigitte Schnell, "What Makes Us Trust Social Media?"
  • Brady Deyak, "How U.S. Public Opinion Impacts Foreign Aid Towards Ukraine"
  • Kairi Maggiore, "Survey Data on Concerns around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)"

8:30 - 10 a.m.: Border Security and Transnational Migration

Arntzen Hall 414 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Michael Wolff

  • Miguel Garduno Munoz, "Mexico's Role in U.S. Border Security"
  • Jose Orozco, "Transnational Migration and the 'Palestinianization' of Mexicans"
  • Riley Kessler, "A Wall to Stop a Flood: Barriers, Security, and Migration"
  • Sophia Maynard, "Mass Deportations: Erosion of Legal Routes as an Option"
  • Sarah Leslie, "The Purpose of Sanctuary: Evaluating the Impacts of Sanctuary Policy on County Crime Rates"

10:15 - 11:45 a.m.: Identity, Theory and Practice

Arntzen Hall 421 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Shirin Deylami

  • Laura Free, "From Viva la Raza to Modern Civic Engagement: Political Identity Formation Among Mexican American Youth"
  • Aniyah Sterling, "Intersections of Liberation: The CRC and Black Feminism"
  • Bella Lauf, "Preparing a Citizenry for Disaster including our Fleeting American Democracу"
  • Conor Lincoln, "Political Theology for Practitioners: Understanding God's Commission for the Public Square"
  • Amirah EI Nagar, "The Surveillance of Arab Americans, the Deadly Exchange, and how the Palestinian Struggle is a Forewarning to Us All"

10:15 - 11:45 a.m.: U.S. Political Institutions and Voting Behavior

Arntzen Hall 414 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Cathy Wineinger

  • Kyle Bailey, "Suburban Voters, 40 Years of Political Shifts"
  • Avery Cesarano, "Threats to Democracy from Affective Polarization"
  • Cory Houser, "Citizen Views and Impact on Voter Participation in Presidential Elections"
  • Chris Rosenquist, "Beyond Lawmaking? Senate Staffing Trends and Changes in a Polarized Era"
  • Jack Harris, "How Science Literacy Affects Voting Choices"

PSA Luncheon

Faculty and students are invited to a pizza lunch in Payne Lounge, AH 419.

Afternoon Sessions

1:05 - 2:20 p.m.: Salmon Tragedy, Philosophy, Politics and Policy

Arntzen Hall 412 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Troy Abel

  • Virginia Boughner: "Sounds of a Salmon Tragedy"
  • Taylor Carnell: "Can Our Evergreen State Get Nature Positive?"
  • Joshua Blee: "The Right to Fish with No Fish is Not Right"

1:05 - 2:20 p.m.: Comparative Politics and Policy

Arntzen Hall 414 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Amir Abedi

  • Eliza Hyche, "Women in Conflict: Categorizing Genocidal Behavior"
  • Emma Wiens, "Zhou Yongkang and Social Factors Enabling Corruption"
  • Ashlye Triebs, "The Nikkei Community in Peru"
  • Lydia Thamert, "Evolution of the Thai Sex Tourism Industry: Proprietary for Sex Trafficking in Southeast Asia"

1:05 - 2:20 p.m.: State and Local Politics

Arntzen Hall 421 | Faculty Discussant: Professor Todd Donovan

  • Ethan Martez, "Who Gets Heard? Realistic Group Conflict Theory and Unequal Political Access in Local Government"
  • Amelia Myrick, "Seattle Police Department and Civilian Policing Strategies"
  • Kohji Haskins, "Columbia River Treaty for the Future"
  • Sameh Rabie, "Political Participation and Current Events"
  • Cameron Trichel, "Bridging the Gap Between Public Defense and Addiction Rehabilitation"

2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Trump v. U.S. (2024): The Supreme Court's Recent Executive Immunity Ruling

Biology Building 234 | Faculty Moderator: Professor Paul Chen

Discussants: WA Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Matt Davis, Jude King. Sophia Maynard, Alex O'Connell, Quinlan Zimmerman

4- 5 p.m. GORDON SANDISON MEMORIAL LECTURE "Descendant Daughter"

Academic West 204 & via Zoom

A talk by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis

Reception

5 - 6 p.m. | Academic West Lobby

Students and faculty are invited to relax and discuss the day's events.

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