As a law and bioethics scholar who often works with a political scientist (my husband John Francis, to be exact), I've regretted the limited extent to which these fields interact. The American Political Science Association (APSA) has a section that might be of significant interest to blog readers–the section on health politics and policy. They've issued a call for papers for the next APSA meeting (the weekend just before Labor Day, in San Francisco). Here's their call:
Division 48: Health Politics and Policy
Division Chair: Frank J. Thompson, Rutgers University-Newark
The conference theme, "Diversities Reconsidered…," comes naturally to the section, which has long served scholars with a spectrum of conceptual, theoretical, empirical, and normative perspectives, who have employed diverse methodologies to advance knowledge. The section invites proposals for papers, panels, and roundtables focused on health politics and policy, broadly defined. We welcome submissions not only on the politics of health care (e.g. the challenges of implementing Obamacare) but on preventive policies (e.g., initiatives to fight obesity or foster cleaner air). To maximize opportunities for health papers being accepted, we recommend two steps. First, be sure to submit your proposal to a second APSA section as well as this one. This will facilitate co-sponsored panels. Second, we encourage panel submissions that directly address the diversity theme of the conference (e.g., rigorous research concerned with health disparities that engage diverse populations and worldviews). This may open up opportunities for augmenting our section allotment of panels with convention theme sessions. In addition, we welcome submissions from those who wish to serve as chair or discussant.
The APSA is quite competitive; submissions are due by Dec. 15th.