Comparative Politics Annual Conference (CPAC)

The Comparative Politics Annual Conference (CPAC) serves two goals: to showcase cutting-edge research and to give our students opportunities to engage with leading scholars in the field. Held at the end of the spring term, the conference typically features seven to twelve invited speakers and includes a graduate student poster session. Graduate students also help select the conference theme, suggest speakers, and serve as discussants. CPAC is generously supported by the Department of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis. 

The 13th CPAC is scheduled for  April 10-11, 2026 and focuses on the latest trends in political communication and rhetoric, including populism. This two-day event has additional sponsorship from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. 

• Friday, April 10: A full-day workshop featuring research on social media and online communication in relation to politics.
• Saturday, April 11: A half-day panel focused on populist rhetoric and its consequences with presenters and a roundtable.

For registration information, email us at cpac@wustl.edu