LMU Political Science and International Relations Honors Students Take Their Research on the Road

A few weeks ago, LMU students and faculty attended the 2026 Western Political Science Association (WPSA) annual conference in San Diego, California. The WSPA conference is a regional scholarly meeting that brings together over 1,000 political scientists, faculty, and students to discuss research, attend panels, and network. This year's theme was "Democracy in Crisis-Challenges, Responses, and the Future of Governance."

All 14 LMU students presented their research in the conference's poster session. Out of the 57 undergraduate student presenters at the WPSA conference, 14 were LMU students! Their research spanned a wide range of topics, including: women's political engagement, social consequences of mega projects in Ethiopia, religious diversity and welfare support in Europe, gender-affirming care, and more. Students received feedback on their research from scholars at the event and had the opportunity to engage with other students' work.

Beyond presenting their research, students were able to take advantage of the conference's broader programming, including specialized panels, workshops, and networking opportunities. For many, these experiences were highlights of the trip. "My highlights from the conference were learning about other students' research and attending the 'Politics of War' panel on Friday, April 3," said Diego Luis '26, an international relations major with minors in economics and Spanish.

Reflecting on the experience as a whole, students unanimously described the conference as both meaningful and formative. Makenzie Ganje '26, a political science major with a minor in business law who will attend USC Gould School of Law in Fall 2026, emphasized the value of presenting research in a professional academic setting. "Attending and presenting at an academic conference was an incredibly valuable experience in preparing for post-graduate work," she shared. "It allowed me to engage directly with leading scholars in political science, share my research in a professional setting, and receive thoughtful, constructive feedback. Being able to workshop my ideas before pursuing publication not only strengthened my project but also gave me greater confidence in my ability to contribute to academic conversations in the field."

Edward Snyder '26, an international relations major with a minor in business law, echoed this sentiment, noting that the conference reshaped his perspective on the impact of undergraduate research. "I believe the conference highlighted the true importance of our research projects," he said. "Witnessing others' enthusiasm for my findings and engaging in discussions about my project made me realize how meaningful our work truly is."

"Attending conferences is a unique opportunity," said Gabriele Magni, associate professor and chair of political science and international relations, who emphasized that experiences like WPSA play a critical role in student development. He encourages students to seek out these experiences whenever possible, noting that they allow students to meaningfully engage with research while strengthening their resumes.