# Harvard Graduate Conference in Political Theory ## Harvard Graduate Conference in Political Theory ![Harvard University](/sites/g/files/omnuum7871/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/politicaltheoryconference/files/harvardyardlawnchairs.jpg?itok=EqYDZ2as) ## **About the Conference** Each year during the Fall semester, the Department of Government at Harvard University hosts its annual conference for graduate students in political theory and political philosophy. It is a forum for the best graduate work in our field; papers representing all methods and traditions are considered. Prior years' programs can be viewed [here](/past-programs). Our conference this year will take place on **Friday, October 30th to Saturday, October 31st 2026**. **We are delighted to welcome Professor Melvin Rogers, the Edna and Richard Salomon Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Brown University, who will deliver the keynote lecture on Friday the 30th of October.** In recent years we have hosted [keynote lectures](/roles/keynote-lecturer) from eminent members of the field, including, Emma Planinc, Alex Gourevitch, Teresa Bejan, Anna Stilz, Jeremy Waldron, Robert Gooding-Williams, and Danielle Allen. The conference is free and open to members of the Harvard community and other academic institutions. Each conference presentation is accompanied by comments from a Harvard graduate student, and presenters have a chance to receive feedback and answer questions during a general discussion period following the presentation. ## **Submit a Paper** We welcome submissions relating to any topic in political theory, the history of political thought, or political philosophy. Formatting: All submissions must include an abstract of no more than 250 words and a draft paper of no more than 10,000 words (excluding footnotes or bibliographies). Draft papers should be submitted as a pdf and formatted for blind review. Please do not include any identifying information in the draft paper. Funding: Thanks to funding from the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics, we will provide some funding to defray costs for transportation and lodging. Further inquiries: Applicants should email with any further questions. Submissions for the 2026 conference are due by Friday 7th of August 2026 at midnight EST and must be submitted using [this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfY2gPctlqrHD5c8XNLNq6CxXue66qs7yvqNtW9dDNSiEjiCg/viewform?usp=header). Applicants will receive a response early September.