ISSUED: 20 March 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Senior triple major Eli Hall, Hansford, West Virginia, attended the 66th Annual International Studies Association (ISA) conference in Chicago with Dr. Aart Holtstag, associate professor of political science, earlier this month.
The two presented their paper, “The Ozone Regime: Adaptive Management, Pivotal Agents, and Political Opportunity,” which looks at the role certain individuals played in addressing the ozone depletion issue and analyzes how the political opportunity of the late 1980s to early 1990s contributed to their success.
As an undergraduate, Hall found this experience to be rewarding.
“It was very fulfilling to be able to present a paper at a conference such as this,” he said. “More importantly, it was extremely refreshing to be exposed to new areas of study in the field, new ways of exploring old questions, and to see the current ‘grand debates’ in the field of international relations.”
Hall, alongside Holtstag, had the chance to explore topics such as the application of quantum mechanics principles to social science, the politics of emotion, and relational theories of world politics.
“Being able to be exposed to, and be a part of, nuanced discussion in these areas of study is something that I wish every Shepherd student could experience,” said Hall. “I encourage all of my peers to attend an academic conference in their field.”
The 66th Annual ISA Conference was held March 2-5 in Chicago. This year’s theme was “Reconnecting International Studies.” The ISA is the oldest interdisciplinary association for international, transnational, and global affairs.
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