The Atlantic Provinces Political Studies Association (APPSA) Conference
Wela’lioq! Merci! Thank you!
Thank you for such a positive, productive, content-rich 2026 APPSA Conference at Cape Breton University. We were honoured to host you!
Please click here for a group photo by Anita Clemens … with apologies to attending colleagues who were not with us at the moment of the photo!
Group Photo of APPSA 2026 Attendees
Please click here for a column/reflection that uses the experience of working together to organize the APPSA 2026 Conference as a jumping-off point to reflect about how we are continually trying to learn from our Unama’ki-Cape Breton communities about hosting, hospitality and participatory dialogue.
October 23-25, 2026
Cape Breton University is proudly hosting the 2026 annual conference of the Atlantic Provinces Political Studies Association.
This year’s broad theme is “Healthy Communities, Healthy Governance, and the Public Good.”
Event Details
Join us from Friday, October 23, at 4 pm to Sunday, October 25, at 1 pm, for timely and thought-provoking panels, papers, and keynotes in a welcoming and hospitable setting.
Networking opportunities and special walks will be part of the mix.
Registration
To register click here
Keynotes
We are pleased to announce that two prominent Atlantic Canadian policy leaders — retired Senator Dan Christmas and Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed — will be our conference keynotes, for keynote sessions on Friday, October 23, at 4 pm, and Saturday, October 24, at 3:30 p.m.
Schedule
The Schedule for October 23, 24, 25 can be found here.
Conference Welcome Desk / Campus Map
Registration and Welcome for the APPSA 2026 conference will take place at the Beaton Institute entrance. Please see #19 on the campus map. The Registration Desk will open at 3 pm on Friday, October 23. The first keynote session takes place at 4 pm.
Briefing note for Chairs/Discussants
We invite session chairs/discussants — and paper presenters at concurrent sessions — to please consult this briefing note.
Accommodations
For accommodations and additional sightseeing, please check out cbisland.com. We recommend accommodations near downtown Sydney or Membertou First Nation for easy access to conference venues.
If you are reserving at the Simon Hotel in downtown Sydney there is a block of rooms reserved for our conference at a CBU rate. Please mention CBU-APPSA conference. The rate is $189 plus tax, including parking. Reservation number: 1-800-565-9466 / alternate number (front desk): 902-562-6500.
See you October 23 to 25. It will be our pleasure to host you!
Saturday Complimentary Walking Tour
In conjunction with the Old Sydney Society, we are offering a complimentary historical and urban-planning walking tour of the Old North End of Sydney, the heritage conservation district that was Cape Breton’s pre-1820 capital city. The tour will meet at 6:45 am on Saturday, October 24, in the lobby of the Simon Hotel. Space is limited, and interested conference attendees or accompanying persons are asked to confirm their participation in the walk by e-mailing tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca.
Sunday Disc Golf/Campus Trails
Conference registrants and accompanying persons are invited to join us for six holes of disc golf (no experience required — and equipment will be provided) on campus (please ensure comfortable footwear), and a look at the campus trails. We will meet at the Registration Desk (near the Beaton Institute) at 7:30 a.m. Space is limited. Please e-mail tom_urbaniak@cbu.ca
Entertainment and Conference Socials
For our reception following Friday’s 4 pm opening keynote, we are proud to feature CBU recent graduate Breagh Kelly and MBA student Ben Smith (Coastline).
Please join us as well for the APPSA Saturday-evening social at 7 pm on October 24 at the Old Triangle, 424 Charlotte Street, Sydney. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and attendees will be welcome to purchase meals on their own from the menu.
