Dr. Leonard S. Robins died on November 9, 2009, at the age of 71, from complications following major surgery. Lenny, as he was known to his friends and colleagues, received his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Minnesota and went on to study public affairs at the University of Michigan. After several years working in public service and research organizations, he returned to the University of Minnesota for his Ph.D., which was awarded in 1975. In 1982, he took a position in public administration at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he stayed until his retirement in 2003.

Professor Emeritus Robert E. Ward of Stanford University died at the age of 93 on December 7, 2009, in Portola Valley, California. Dr. Ward was a professor of political science and the first director of the Center for Research in International Studies at Stanford University from 1973 to 1987. He was also a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution. Dr. Ward received his B.A. degree from Stanford University in 1936 and his Ph.D. from the University of California (Berkeley) in 1948. During World War II, he served in U.S. Naval Intelligence, receiving the Legion of Merit award. From 1948 to 1973, Dr. Ward was on the faculty of the University of Michigan. Professor Ward joined the Stanford faculty in 1973, serving as a professor of political science from 1973 to 1987 and Director of the Center for Japanese Studies from 1965 to 1968 and 1971 to 1973.

For over one hundred years, APSA's Annual Meeting and Exhibition has provided scholars a unique opportunity to share research, present papers, and network with colleagues. And although each meeting has provided a distinct and worthwhile experience, the 106th Annual Meeting and Exhibition promises to bring one of the most stirring meeting programs yet. Aptly convening in the nation's capital, Washington, DC, more than 7,000 attendees will discuss the latest political science research and theory as it relates to the theme of “hard times” facing the world economy. Program chairs Lisa Martin, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, developed a theme that raises questions across many areas of specialization. With more than eight hundred panels organized by 50 thematic divisions, 60 related groups, APSA committees, and presidential task forces, these questions will be explored over the course of the four day event.

We report here on the journal's operations during the year from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. In doing so, we want first to express our thanks to the APSA: its staff, Council, and Publications Committee, both for good advice and for important material support. The impact of both is documented, albeit only partially, in the following article. The APSR Editorial Board and its Executive Committee have also been invaluable, and we have benefited particularly from the concentrated counsel that a subcommittee provided during a two-day site visit to UCLA in July. Editorial Board members have also given unstintingly of their time to serve as guest editors on UCLA-connected submissions that might otherwise raise conflicts of interest. We owe very special debts of gratitude to our Senior Editor, Joseph Riser, whose serene and wise disposition seems never to falter; our graduate editorial assistants (EAs), Megan Gallagher, Diana Ichpekova, Rebekah Sterling, and Matt Spence; two of our original co-editors, Kathleen Bawn and Michael Chwe, who gave extraordinarily dedicated service but decided to leave the group effective July 1, 2009; and Gary Cox (UCSD) and Arthur Lupia (Michigan), who agreed to join our weekly meetings via videoconference—in Gary's case, for the long term; in Skip's, temporarily. Finally, we thank the authors of the nearly 700 papers submitted to us and the over 2,000 referees who gave, unremunerated and anonymously as always, their astute and often admirably detailed counsel.

Founded in 1953, the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program is the nation's oldest and most prestigious congressional fellowship. More than 50 years later, the program remains devoted to its original objective of expanding knowledge and awareness of Congress. For nine months, select political scientists, journalists, doctors, federal executives, and international scholars gain “hands on” understanding of the legislative process by serving on congressional staffs. Through this unique opportunity, the association enhances public understanding of policymaking and improves the quality of scholarship, teaching, and reporting on American national politics. For more information, please visit http://www.apsanet.org/content_3031.cfm?navID=41. The 2010 office assignments are:

The 2010 APSA Africa Workshop will take place from July 19 to August 6, 2010. The residential workshop will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop leaders are Dr. Gretchen Bauer (Department of Political Science, University of Delaware, USA), Dr. Aili Mari Tripp (Department of Political Science and Gender & Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA), and Dr. Shireen Hassim (Department of Political Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa).