IPSA's Pre-APSA Workshop Explores Digitalization Challenges and Strategies for Scientific Associations

IPSA President Pablo Oñate chaired the third edition of IPSA’s Pre-APSA Annual Meeting Workshop, Digitalization of Scientific Associations: Challenges and Technological Solutions, on 30 August 2023. The Workshop gathered executives from scholarly associations, experts in digital solutions for associations, and virtual platform suppliers.

Speakers:

• Kim Fontaine-Skronski, Executive Director, IPSA;
• Jon Gurstelle, Senior Director, Publications, APSA;
• Nick Scott, Independent consultant in digital transformation for non-profit associations;
• Mitch Malinsky, Head of Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Pheedloop;
• Tom Heneghan, Director of New Business, Planstone.

Prof. Oñate opened the workshop by introducing the speakers and highlighting the collaborative nature of this online event, which was a joint effort between IPSA and the American Political Science Association (APSA). He explained that the main purpose of the workshop was to facilitate a conversation between associations and virtual platform suppliers to find solutions to help associations achieve their missions and goals. Prof. Oñate particularly emphasized the exchange of ideas and solutions that would benefit the work of scientific associations.

IPSA Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski talked about the 75th anniversary of IPSA in 2024 and its mission to advance political science worldwide. She discussed the challenges and successes of moving major events, such as the IPSA World Congress of Political Science, to a virtual format in 2021 due to the pandemic. Dr. Fontaine-Skronski underlined IPSA's commitment to both “digitization” and “digitalization”, highlighting initiatives such as the IPSA Digital initiative, the IPSA Portal, IPSAMOOCs and IPSA Summer Schools that serve political scientists and members worldwide. She also addressed concerns such as the complexities of organizing in-person and virtual events simultaneously, the challenges of translating online content, as well as the impact of open-access publishing on revenue sources and inclusivity.   

The second speaker, Jon Gurstelle, APSA Senior Director of Publications, discussed the transformation of APSA and the challenges the association faced during the pandemic. He discussed the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on APSA, which has 11,000 members worldwide. Mr. Gurstelle noted the shift to “digitization” and “digitalization” and described the organization's journey from print publications to online platforms. He also described the accelerated development of platforms such as a preprint service and a digital teaching library in response to the pandemic.  

Nick Scott, an independent consultant in digital transformation for not-for-profit organizations, stressed that the shift to digital is not just about moving existing processes online, but about embracing the opportunities that digital technology offers. He discussed the power of connectivity that digitalization brings, allowing associations to reach a global audience. He emphasized that digital transformation requires cultural change and strategic rethinking, not just technological implementation. He also talked about the potential of AI and automation to create new formats and ways of using content. 

Mitch Malinsky, Head of Sales and Strategic Partnerships at PheedLoop, addressed the challenges of transitioning from in-person to virtual events, emphasizing the importance of adapting event programs to the virtual format rather than replicating the in-person experience. He explained the success of an extended, year-round virtual portal that provides networking, workshops, and sponsor visibility. He also discussed the potential of AI-driven translation technology to make content accessible to global audiences.

The last speaker, Tom Heneghan, Director of New Business at Planstone, focused on the importance of adapting successful in-person meeting strategies to the digital world. He highlighted the value of mentorship programs, where smaller groups engage in focused discussions, and the potential of podcasts and video content to address diverse audiences. Mr. Heneghan also discussed the challenge of funding in certain fields, such as political science, while acknowledging the potential of open access and advertising for financial support.   

You can watch the full event video below: