American Politics Group

Site of the American Politics Group of the UK Political Studies Association

2025-26 FT-APG Online A Level Conference Talks

This page contains talks delivered at the 2025-26 FT-APG Online A Level Conference

Thomas Evans of the Financial Times introduced the conference

The conference itself was split into three parts:

  • A: Don’t believe the AI hype: focus on perfecting how to read and write
    • Delivered by the team behind 50 States or Bust! (a project exploring artificial intelligence in the study of American politics), this session highlighted some dangers of engaging with artificial intelligence and, as many of you prepare for university, encouraged you focus on developing the craft of writing.
Dr Amy Tatum, Bournemouth University, discusses the importance of critical engagement with GenAI tools
  • B: Discussing Developments in American Politics
    • In this session, members of the Developments in American Politics book series will explained how you can use material from the book series when putting together your essay competition entries.
Dr Andrew Wroe, University of Kent, delivers a talk titled ‘Engaging with the ‘Developments in American Politics’ series in your essay’
Dr Ursula Hackett, Royal Holloway, University of London, delivers a talk titled ‘How to write a great Politics essay’
  • C: Preparing for your essay competition entry and your A-Level exam
    • In this session students received advice from seasoned A Level tutors about both how to develop essay competition entries and how to prepare for A Level politics exams.
Caitlin Lewis, University of Manchester, provides advice for those submitting to the FT-APG A Level Essay Competition
Dr Adam Burns, Head of Politics at Brighton College, gives a talk entitled ‘How to ace your A Level politics exam’