Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conference like?
For selected presenters, the conference is a great opportunity to share your research, dialogue with other innovative young thinkers in the field of international relations, and engage with many of the opportunities Washington, DC, offers. The conference will include:
After the conference, some presenters will have the opportunity to publish a literature review on the topic of their paper in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.
What research can be submitted?
All research related to any topic or subfield within international relations is eligible for presentation at the Walsh Exchange, so long as you can connect it to our theme for this year: "Planning for the UnEXpected: Crisis & Change in the 21st Century." If you have any uncertainty about whether your topic qualifies, please contact us at walshex@gmail.com. All research must be the original work of an undergraduate student, and should contribute meaningfully to international relations scholarship. While collaboration with a faculty advisor is allowed and encouraged, co-authored papers will not be accepted.
How will presenters be selected?
Submissions will be judged based on quality of research, theory, and writing, as well as their innovative contribution to the field. You can find the rubric here.
What if my paper is still in progress?
You may submit your paper even if it is still in progress. In-progress works must represent the high quality of thought and research that will be present in the final paper. A sense of the paper’s direction and preliminary conclusions should be clear.
How should I format the submission?
Submission materials should be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font with consistent citation style. Papers should only contain identifying information on the cover page, as they must be ready for blind review.
What is blind review formatting?
No identifying information (applicant’s name, school, professors with who the applicant has collaborated, etc.) should be in the body of the paper. Only the cover page, which excludes any content, should have this information.
What should the video be like?
The video should be you speaking about your research and its importance to the field of international relations. The video should give us an indication of your style and strengths as a presenter, so please submit one continuous video without cuts. However, feel free to practice and prepare as much as necessary. The video does not have to be formally recorded; a computer webcam is acceptable. The quality of the recording will not have an impact on your application.
When will decisions be released?
We hope to release decisions in early- to mid-February, and will provide updates if the decisions deviate from this schedule.
If selected, will I have to pay for my transportation and hotel costs?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tenth Annual Walsh Exchange will be held online. No travel will be involved this year.
The Walsh Exchange Travel Policies are as follows:
For participants traveling from domestic locations: The Walsh Exchange will cover all necessary travel expenses, including flights and/or train tickets, local transportation within Washington, and hotel expenses. The Walsh Exchange can further commit to reviewing all domestic applications need-blind.
For participants traveling from international locations: The Walsh Exchange will cover all local transportation within Washington, and hotel expenses. The Walsh Exchange will make a good-faith effort to cover travel costs, provided presenters also work with their home institution to seek funding. In the event that attendance at the conference is unfeasible, participants will be able to present via videoconference.
Note: Per Georgetown University policy, we are only able to cover hotel costs for the duration of the conference. If you wish to arrive early or remain after the conclusion of the conference, we cannot cover additional hotel costs or other expenses. Additionally, we will not cover additional travel costs incurred due to an earlier arrival or later departure.
If your question is not answered here, please email us at walshex@gmail.com!
For selected presenters, the conference is a great opportunity to share your research, dialogue with other innovative young thinkers in the field of international relations, and engage with many of the opportunities Washington, DC, offers. The conference will include:
- Presentations and panel discussions, moderated by experts in the subject matter, highlighting student research that is thematically or regionally related.
- One-on-one mentorship opportunities with international relations scholars
- Skill-building workshops with professional academics
- Roundtable discussions on student research topics
After the conference, some presenters will have the opportunity to publish a literature review on the topic of their paper in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.
What research can be submitted?
All research related to any topic or subfield within international relations is eligible for presentation at the Walsh Exchange, so long as you can connect it to our theme for this year: "Planning for the UnEXpected: Crisis & Change in the 21st Century." If you have any uncertainty about whether your topic qualifies, please contact us at walshex@gmail.com. All research must be the original work of an undergraduate student, and should contribute meaningfully to international relations scholarship. While collaboration with a faculty advisor is allowed and encouraged, co-authored papers will not be accepted.
How will presenters be selected?
Submissions will be judged based on quality of research, theory, and writing, as well as their innovative contribution to the field. You can find the rubric here.
What if my paper is still in progress?
You may submit your paper even if it is still in progress. In-progress works must represent the high quality of thought and research that will be present in the final paper. A sense of the paper’s direction and preliminary conclusions should be clear.
How should I format the submission?
Submission materials should be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font with consistent citation style. Papers should only contain identifying information on the cover page, as they must be ready for blind review.
What is blind review formatting?
No identifying information (applicant’s name, school, professors with who the applicant has collaborated, etc.) should be in the body of the paper. Only the cover page, which excludes any content, should have this information.
What should the video be like?
The video should be you speaking about your research and its importance to the field of international relations. The video should give us an indication of your style and strengths as a presenter, so please submit one continuous video without cuts. However, feel free to practice and prepare as much as necessary. The video does not have to be formally recorded; a computer webcam is acceptable. The quality of the recording will not have an impact on your application.
When will decisions be released?
We hope to release decisions in early- to mid-February, and will provide updates if the decisions deviate from this schedule.
If selected, will I have to pay for my transportation and hotel costs?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tenth Annual Walsh Exchange will be held online. No travel will be involved this year.
The Walsh Exchange Travel Policies are as follows:
For participants traveling from domestic locations: The Walsh Exchange will cover all necessary travel expenses, including flights and/or train tickets, local transportation within Washington, and hotel expenses. The Walsh Exchange can further commit to reviewing all domestic applications need-blind.
For participants traveling from international locations: The Walsh Exchange will cover all local transportation within Washington, and hotel expenses. The Walsh Exchange will make a good-faith effort to cover travel costs, provided presenters also work with their home institution to seek funding. In the event that attendance at the conference is unfeasible, participants will be able to present via videoconference.
Note: Per Georgetown University policy, we are only able to cover hotel costs for the duration of the conference. If you wish to arrive early or remain after the conclusion of the conference, we cannot cover additional hotel costs or other expenses. Additionally, we will not cover additional travel costs incurred due to an earlier arrival or later departure.
If your question is not answered here, please email us at walshex@gmail.com!