Conference Description

This conference, hosted by Gordon College, provides Christian political scientists, historians, and sociologists with a unique forum to gather to explore the state of democracy in the US (and globally). The conference will feature stellar keynote addresses, paper panels, workshops, and roundtables. In addition, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the conference also includes an optional Sunday afternoon excursion into nearby Boston to visit revolutionary sites. Gordon College, in Wenham, MA, is a short drive from historic Boston, and is located near beautiful beaches and woodlands.

This special anniversary year is a fitting time and Gordon College a fitting place to consider American independence and identity, and how the United States has developed as a nation and as the world’s first constitutional liberal democracy. In a time of increased political violence and division, we think it crucial to bring together Christian social scientists and historians to explore these important questions. It has been some time since we have met in this setting, although the need is ever more pressing to gather to consider questions of democracy, unity, pluralism, the imago Dei, the love of neighbor, and the common good. This conference will consider, among other things: means by which Christian political and social thought support a renewal of American democracy; lessons from America’s democratic neighbors and allies; linkages between economic stability and democracy; the impact of security on democratic status; and the impacts of culture and religion on capacities for civic unity—and disunity.

Our conference is funded in part by the Lilly Network and co-sponsored by Christians in Political Science, Gordon’s Center for Faith and Inquiry, the Center for Public Justice, and The Review of Faith & International Affairs. The planning team includes the faculty of Gordon’s political science and international affairs program: Ruth Melkonian-Hoover (conference director), Paul Brink, and Chan Shin. Of note: we will also have a session devoted to considerations of the purpose and continuation of the organization of Christians in Political Science (CPS).

The Lilly Network Grant is helping facilitate the inclusion of three top notch democracy scholars and analysts as keynote speakers (details forthcoming). Come to Gordon this June for a conference that promises to be not only intellectually rich and rewarding, but also much more intimate (and economical) than many academic conventions, enabling more opportunities to further relationships with colleagues, old and new. We also have additional space if you’d like to pay for extra rooms for a spouse and family members (we have quads and double suites in the lovely Chase Hall).

Call for Papers, Panels, Roundtables, Workshops

While we seek paper and panel proposals that address the state of democracy in the US (and comparatively), we also welcome proposals on other topics and research questions within the broad discipline of political science (American, theory, comparative, and international relations), and within related fields including history and sociology. The planning team is also interested in non-paper panels, including meet the author sessions, roundtables on political and/or policy issues, workshops on teaching, and panels on the integration of faith and learning in general. We will arrange panel chairs and discussants.

Details on registration to follow. Registration, lodging, and meals will in total be approximately $350 per person. Proposals (maximum 500 words) should include the author(s), paper/panel title, a brief description of the focus of the presentation, institutional affiliation(s), and contact information, including email address(es). Deadline for submission of proposals is February 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis but in all cases, no later than March 15, 2026. Please submit proposals to Democracy@gordon.edu