The Academy of Political Science is a nonprofit academic organization that originated as a body within Columbia University, but which became independent in the early 19th century. Since 1886, it has published Political Science Quarterly, at first with the assistance of New York-based publisher George A. Plimpton, and, since January 2023, in partnership with Oxford University Press.

Background

The Academy of Political Science was originally founded in 1880 as an adjunct body to Columbia University’s Graduate School of Political Science, which had been established just prior. Initially, membership in the Academy was limited to Columbia University alumni and affiliates. ¹

John W. Burgess, a professor at Columbia University and historian of Reconstruction associated with the Dunning School of Reconstruction-era historiography, was the Academy’s inaugural president. With the assistance  of New York-based publisher George A. Plimpton, Burgess launched the Academy’s flagship publication, Political Science Quarterly, in 1886, an academic journal centered on government, politics, and public policy issues. ^{1 2}

In 1910, the Academy was incorporated as an independent nonprofit in New York state, became financially independent from Columbia University, and opened its membership to non-Columbia University alumni and affiliates. Later in December 1929, the Academy acquired the status of a federally recognized tax-exempt nonprofit organization. ^{3 1}

Activities

The Academy of Political Science publishes Political Science Quarterly, an academic journal focusing on government, politics, and public policy issues. Notably, issues of the publication, aside from featuring around a half-dozen full-length articles, also feature between thirty and forty book reviews. ⁴

On September 7, 2022, Oxford University Press released a statement announcing that it would begin publishing the journal on January 1, 2023. In the Press’s statement, Robert Y. Shapiro, who serves as the President of the Academy and the editor of the journal, was quoted, describing the Academy’s relationship with the Press as a “partnership.” ⁵

The Academy sponsors events for its members featuring discussions by scholars and public officials. Past Academy events held between 2021 and 2023 have focused on topics such as “Jihadist Foreign Fighters,” political polarization, the 2022 midterm elections, antisemitism, the legal theory of originalism in relation to the United States Supreme Court, and COVID-19. ⁶

Honorary Members

Honorary members of the Academy include prominent figures from both the Democratic and Republican Parties, such as President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. ⁷

People

As of April 2023, the Academy of Political Science lists Peter J. Goulandris, who died on June 19, 2022, as the chairman of its board of directors. Before his death, Goulandris was also the vice chairman of the London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association, the director of the Hellenic Mutual War Risks Insurance Association, and a special advisor for Maritime Affairs for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. ^{8 10}

Robert Y. Shapiro is the president of the Academy and editor of its flagship publication, Political Science Quarterly. Additionally, Shapiro is the Wallace S. Sayre professor of government and professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, a fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as the director and chair of the board of directors of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. ⁷

1.  “APS History.” Political Science Quarterly: Academy of Political Science. Accessed April 1, 2023. https://www.psqonline.org/HistoryAPS.cfm
2. “Burgess And History.” Student Exhibits | Columbia University and Slavery. Accessed April 1, 2023.  https://slaveryexhibits.ctl.columbia.edu/exhibits/show/john-burgess/burgess-and-history
3. “Academy of Political Science.” ProPublica. Accessed April 1, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131623873
4. “PSQ History.” Political Science Quarterly. Accessed April 2, 2023. https://www.psqonline.org/History.cfm
5. “Oxford University Press to publish Political Science Quarterly.” Oxford University Press. September 7, 2022. Accessed April 2, 2023. https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/oxford-university-press/news/oxford-university-press-to-publish-political-science-quarterly-453469
6. “Conferences and Events.” Political Science Quarterly. Accessed April 2, 2023. https://www.psqonline.org/events.cfm
7. “Board of Directors.” Political Science Quarterly: Academy of Political Science. Accessed April 1, 2023. https://www.psqonline.org/BoardDirectors.cfm
8. Archived on Legacy.com: “PETER GOULANDRIS.” New York Times. June 25, 2022. Accessed April 2, 2023.  https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nytimes/name/peter-goulandris-obituary?id=35379938
10. “Board of Directors.” Political Science Quarterly: Academy of Political Science. Accessed April 1, 2023.  https://www.psqonline.org/BoardDirectors.cfm[/note]

    Ralph da Costa Nunez is the vice chairman and treasurer of the Academy’s board of directors as well as board member (and former chief executive officer) of the Institute of Children, Poverty and Homelessness and Homes for the Homeless, and a board member and treasurer of the Community Service Society. Formerly, da Costa Nunez was the first deputy for homeless services in the Office of the Mayor of New York City. ^{9 [1]} “Board of Directors.” Political Science Quarterly: Academy of Political Science. Accessed April 1, 2023. https://www.psqonline.org/BoardDirectors.cfm