FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Political scientists from Arkansas and surrounding states will gather to discuss American and Arkansas politics, international affairs and public policy topics during the annual conference of the Arkansas Political Science Association, Feb. 20-21 in the Continuing Education Center on the downtown Fayetteville square.

The political science department at the University of Arkansas is hosting this year’s conference, which will feature a roundtable discussion on the Lake View case and keynote addresses by former Senator David Pryor and Senator Blanche Lincoln. Doctoral students in public policy will present reseaerch papers as well.

"We enjoy the chance to share our latest research findings with our colleagues and to discuss the current events that our policymakers and the public deem most urgent, the issues that are important in defining our collective future." In many states across the country right now, funding shortfalls for state service agencies and higher education are very much on people’s minds and in the news," said Margaret Reid, a conference organizer and UA associate professor in public administration.

The media and public are invited to attend any of the sessions listed below, which will all be held in the Continuing Education Center. Media wishing to cover the keynote speeches should contact Margaret Reid, (479) 575-3356. For additional details and registration information, visit the conference Wweb site at http://plsc.uark.edu/ARPoliSci04.

FEBRUARY 20

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Concurrent Session 1

• Legislative Issues and the Political Process, Room 402
• International Relations, Room 404
• Public Service Delivery: Protection and Reform, Room 405

2: 45 p.m. - 4: 15 p.m., Concurrent Session 2

• American Politics: Stability or Change?, Room 402  
• Roundtable: Global Inequity: National and International Dimensions, Room 404

3 - 4:15 p.m.

• Roundtable: Making PA Research Policy Relevant, Room 405
• Political Theory, Room 409

FEBRUARY 21

9:15 - 10:45 a.m., Concurrent Session 3

• Arkansas Politics, Room 402
• Comparative Politics, Room 405
• Public Policy: Powerlessness and Agenda Setting, Room 409
• New Governance (Policy), Room, 404

11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., Concurrent Session 4

• Roundtable: Lake View Decision, Room 402
• Roundtable: International Politics, Room 404
• Environmental Politics, Room 405