Submissions are via ExOrdo: psa26.exordo.com/login

Just select 'Autocracy and Regime Change' in the ‘Topics’ section when submitting your abstract.

We would like to thank again @emisimison.bsky.social and @scottrw630.bsky.social for serving as committee, and here is their assessment:

We would like to thank once again @annemwolf.bsky.social ‬ and @chankaming.bsky.social for serving as evaluation committee, and here is their assessment:

Finally, authors may also discuss their briefs at a roundtable
during the 2026 @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social Conference in Oxford, 30 March - 1 April!

Production process

1. 6 to 8 proposals will be accepted & authors will submit a full manuscript of 3,000/4,000 words

2. Review process by the editorial board @fabioangiolillo.bsky.social, @jbeisermcgrath.bsky.social, @felixwiebrecht.bsky.social

Submission process

1. abstract of max. 500 words. – specify general findings in this area, and their potential policy implications

2. author’s CV and a summary (200 words) of their (academic and non) experience on the topic

3. Deadline is 3 October!

Topics 2/2

3. Recovery from Authoritarian Rule (e.g., opposition strategies, citizens’ mobilizations)

4. Digital space (e.g., usage of A.I., digital society, disinformation)

5. International influence (e.g., electoral interference, international organizations)

Topics 1/2

We are interested in research focusing especially on:

1. Political institutions (e.g., legislatures, political parties, elections)

2. Authoritarian Peer-Learning (e.g., inter-state conferences, economic agreements)

The series has 3 aims:

• Review key pillars of authoritarianism

• Define key domestic and international challenges that authoritarian eco-systems pose to democracies

• Propose actionable policy directions from existing research for policymakers in the UK and other democracies

Best PhD Paper Award

For the best article/chapter written by a current PhD candidate.

The paper *does not* have to have been presented at the PSA Annual Conference 2025.

The committee consists of @emisimison.bsky.social (@qmul.ac.uk) and @scottrw630.bsky.social (@ox.ac.uk).

Award prize: £50

Best Paper Award

For the best paper on autocracies and/or regime change presented at the PSA Annual Conference 2025.

The 2025 Award committee consists of @chankaming.bsky.social (@nclpolitics.bsky.social) and @annemwolf.bsky.social (@ox.ac.uk).

Award prize: £50

🎤 Six Panels: We also have six amazing panels, on elites, civil society, surveillance, public opinion, regime change and legitimacy in autocracies. Make sure to find them on the programme!

🍸 Tuesday Night, 8 PM: Join us for a Drinks Social at Bacchus Bar! Come along to meet other autocracy researchers!

📅 Tuesday, 11:30 – 12:30: Roundtable on publication strategies and tips for early career researchers, also in Exec 2.

📅 Monday, 11:30 – 12:30: Our Annual General Meeting in Exec 2. Come to hear about what we’ve been up to, our plans for the year ahead and how you can get involved in the group!

We have an exciting programme for the PSA Annual Conference in two weeks in Birmingham, including six panels, our AGM, a roundtable for early career researchers and a social!