Why Wisconsin? | How to Apply | Intellectual Life | Living in Madison | FAQs | Dual Program | Funding| Mentorship | Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for the department of political science at UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The political science department fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background — people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. We commit ourselves to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment in our learning spaces and workspaces.
As part of that commitment, we encourage members of historically under-represented groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and first-generation college students to apply. Fellowships are available to assist minority applicants, as well as those from any background that might have made educational achievement more difficult. The Graduate School offers admissions fee grants for low-income students and those who participate in selected pipeline programs designed to prepare students for graduate studies (e.g., McNair Scholars and SROP participants). As part of its commitment to the diversity of the graduate program, the Political Science department also provides admission fee grants for participants in APSA’s Ralph Bunche Summer Institute and Minority Student Recruitment Program. For details and to request the fee grant, contact the Director of Graduate Studies.
Our department is an active member of APSA’s Minority Student Recruitment Program. To enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of its graduate program (and of the discipline as a whole), the department hosts an annual Diversity Recruitment Conference for undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds with the interest and ability to pursue graduate study in political science. Unfortunately, last year’s conference was cancelled due to the pandemic. We hope to resume our outreach and recruitment efforts as soon as we can.
We strive to create a climate where every student can feel supported and thrive regardless of their background. There are a number of initiatives on campus that help foster this environment at UW, including the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Funding and First Generation Student Success network. These programs are part of the way we show that we value diversity together with colleagues across the University.