Columbia University’s M.S. in Political Analytics will host its annual Political Analytics Conference in March 2026, convening leading professionals and faculty to examine the evolving role of data in politics. Building on insights from recent election cycles, the conference will explore key findings shaping political strategy, governance, and advocacy in the year ahead. Guests will gain perspective on how analytics continues to influence campaigns, policymaking, and civic engagement.

The day will feature four expert panels and a keynote address, along with breakfast, lunch, and dedicated opportunities for networking and discussion.

Keynote Speaker:

Kabir Khanna
Director, Election Analytics & Technical Systems, and Producer, Election Analytics, CBS News

Panelists:

Jackie Burns
Communications and Political Strategist; GSAS ‘16

Joe Lenski
Executive Vice President; SSRS

Benjy Messner
Lecturer, Political Analytics; Founder at New River Strategies

John Phillips
CEO and Co-Founder, Aristotle

Jane Rayburn
CO-Founder & Head of Polling and Qualitative, Workbench Strategy

Michael Schwam-Baird, Ph.D.
Deputy Program Director, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Political Analytics Columbia University SPS

Evan Roth Smith
Co-Founder, Slingshot Strategies

Maeve Ward
Senior Advisor, Grow Progress

Gregory J. Wawro, Ph.D.
Program Director, Political Analytics; Professor of Political Science, Columbia University

David Wolfson
Lecturer, Political Analytics

Doug Usher, Ph.D.
Partner, Forbes Tate Partners; Strategic Advisor, Political Analytics Columbia University SPS

Registration is required to attend this event.

Political Analytics Program Affiliates: Free by Invitation
Columbia University Affiliates: $5 (register by March 25, 2026)
General Admission: $10 (register by March 24, 2026)

For further information, please contact the Political Analytics program at poan-admin [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (poan-admin[at]columbia[dot]edu).

To obtain additional information about program offerings at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, please contact an Admissions Counselor at inquire [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (inquire[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu).

If you require closed captioning, sign-language interpretation, or any other disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services, disability [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (disability[at]columbia[dot]edu), at least 10 days in advance.

Please visit Columbia University’s Hub for Emergency Preparedness (https://preparedness.columbia.edu/) to stay up to date on the latest campus health and safety policies.

This event is open to individuals irrespective of identity and sex.