Several political scientists affiliated with the University of St.Gallen belong to the Institute of Political Science. Our goal is to promote academic research by managing funded projects, establishing research centres, organizing seminars and conferences, running continuing education courses, and publishing journals and working paper series. In addition, we organize guest lectures that are open to the public.
The founding director of the Institute was Alois Riklin, who chaired it from 1986 until 2001. From 2005 to 2014, the Institute was headed by James W. Davis (managing director) and Daniele Caramani. Since 2015 James W. Davis is the only director.
The most noteworthy highlights of the Institute's development include the SPSA Annual Congress hosted in January, 2009, as well as the ECPR Joint Sessions hosted in April, 2011, with more than 600 participants from all around the world. From 2007 to 2011, the Swiss Political Science Review was edited by IPW members.