Past Meetings, Presidents, and Themes
PDF copies of the programs are available for some years below.
| YEAR | PLACE | SSSA PRESIDENT | THEME |
| 2025 | Las Vegas, NV | Jennifer Horan, Political Science, University of North Carolina – Wilmington | Defining Democratic Survival at Home and Abroad |
| 2024 | New Orleans, LA | Steven Sewell, History, College of the Mainland | The Social Sciences Are Under Assault: What Can We Do to Defend Ourselves? |
| 2023 | Fort Worth, TX | Salli Vargis, International Studies, Georgia State University – Perimeter | Democratic Backsliding: Social Sciences on the Erosion of Democracy in the U.S. and Abroad |
| 2022 | San Antonio, TX | Israel Nandamudi, International Studies, East Texas Baptist University | Global Pandemics and Dynamics of World Affairs: Politics, Economics, and Technology |
| 2021 | New Orleans, LA | Cynthia Creedy, Sociology, University of North Texas | 100 Years and Counting … Breaking Boundaries in a New Century |
| 2020 | (no meeting held, originally planned for Austin) | Cynthia Creedy, Sociology, University of North Texas | (meeting not held due to COVID-19 global pandemic) |
| 2019 | San Diego, CA | Pascal Ngoboka, Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls | Social Transformation: The Role of Academia |
| 2018 2018 SSSA Program |
Orlando, FL | Lydia Andrade, Political Science, University of the Incarnate Word | It’s a Small, Small World |
| 2017 2017 SSSA Program |
Austin, TX | Patrick Barr-Melej, History, University of Ohio | Social Science and Social Change |
| 2016 | Las Vegas, NV | Glenn Melancon, History, Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Social Science and Public Conversations |
| 2015 2015 SSSA Program |
Denver, CO | Rogelio Sáenz, Sociology, University of Texas at San Antonio | Latinos and the Change of a Nation: Implications for the Social Sciences |
| 2014 2014 SSSA Program |
San Antonio, TX | Tahany Naggar, Economics, West Chester University of Pennsylvania | The Evolving and Everlasting Social Sciences |
| 2013 | New Orleans, LA | Gary Copeland, Political Science, University of Oklahoma | New Social Media and Life, Politics, and Society in the Early 21st Century |
| 2012 | San Diego, CA | Eddie Weller, History, San Jacinto College South | Striking Gold in the Social Sciences: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity |
| 2011 | Las Vegas, NV | Ray Darville, Sociology, Stephen F. Austin State University | The Transformative Power of the Social Sciences |
| 2010 | Houston, TX | Douglas Eckberg, Sociology, Winthrop University | E Pluribus Unum: Integrating Our Scholarship |
| 2009 | Denver, CO | Abdul Turay, Economics, Tougaloo College | Investing in the Social Sciences: A Hidden Gem in Higher Education |
| 2008 2008 SSSA Program |
Las Vegas, NV | Harold Bass Jr., Political Science, Ouachita Baptist University | Place Your Bets: Approaches to Engaging the Social Sciences |
| 2007 | Albuquerque, NM | Michael Collins, History, Midwestern State University | Expanding Borders and the American Southwest |
| 2006 | San Antonio, TX | Joseph Stewart Jr., Political Science, Clemson University | Good Social Science |
| 2005 | New Orleans, LA | Dudley L. Poston Jr., Sociology, Texas A&M University | The Application of the Social Sciences |
| 2004 | Corpus Christi, TX | Betsy Jane Clary, Economics, College of Charleston | The Social Sciences as an Instrument of Policy Formation |
| 2003 | San Antonio, TX | Patricia A. Hurley, Political Science, Texas A&M University | Taking Stock: Assessing the State of Knowledge in the Social Sciences |
| 2002 | New Orleans, LA | Janet Schmelzer, History, Tarleton State University | Moving Forward: The Challenge of Diversity |
| 2001 | Fort Worth, TX | Rose M. Rubin, Economics, University of Memphis | 2001: A Social Science Odyssey |
| 2000 | Galveston, TX | Larry Lyon, Sociology, Baylor University | Continuity and Change in the New Millennium |
| 1999 | San Antonio, TX | Clint Johnson, Economics, University of Central Arkansas | Small Planet: The Southwest and a Changing World |
| 1998 | Corpus Christi, TX | Robert L. Savage, Political Science, University of Arkansas | Evolution, Devolution, or Revolution: Past, Future and the Social Sciences |
| 1997 | New Orleans, LA | Cary D. Wintz, History, Texas Southern University | Looking Backwards: The Social Sciences View the Twentieth Century |
| 1996 | Houston, TX | Elizabeth Esterchild, Women’s Caucus, University of North Texas | The Social Sciences and the 21st Century |
| 1995 | Dallas, TX | Charles M. Bonjean, Sociology, University of Texas at Austin | History and the Social Sciences |
| 1994 | San Antonio, TX | Kathie Gilbert, Economics, Western New Mexico University | Multiculturalism and Societies |
| 1993 | New Orleans, LA | Ruth S. Jones, Political Science, Arizona State University | The Social Sciences: Agents for Change |
| 1992 | Austin, TX | Amos Simpson, History, University of Southwestern Louisiana | 1492-1992; New Worlds, New Directions, New Challenges |
| 1991 | San Antonio, TX | Leon C. Hallman, Geography, Stephen F. Austin State University | Global Change: Investigation, Understanding, Survival |
| 1990 | Fort Worth, TX | Marie Marschall Fuller, Sociology, Texas Women’s University | Into the Twenty-First Century Public Policy, Social Systems, and Patterns of Living |
| 1989 | Little Rock, AR | David E. R. Gay, Economics, University of Arkansas | Vanishing Borders: America in the World Community |
| 1988 | Houston, TX | Ellis Sandoz, Political Science, Louisiana State University | Social Science, the Scientific Revolution, and the American Founding |
| 1987 | Dallas, TX | Brison D. Gooch, History, Texas A&M University | The American Constitution’s Effectiveness After Two Centuries |
| 1986 | San Antonio, TX | William B. Conroy, Geography, New Mexico State University | Human Rights and the Quality of Life |
| 1985 | Houston, TX | Charles Tobert, Sociology, Baylor University | The Implications of High Technology for the Social Sciences |
| 1984 | Fort Worth, TX | Alex Kondonassis, Economics, University of Oklahoma | (theme not available) |
| 1983 | Houston, TX | Samuel A. Kirkpatrick, Political Science, Texas A&M University | The Public Mind |
| 1982 | San Antonio, TX | Lawrence L. Graves, History, Texas Tech University | The Sunbelt in Transition |
| 1981 | Dallas, TX | Jerry B. Michel, Sociology, University of Memphis | Democracy in Conflict: Bureaucracy, Justice, Liberty |
| 1980 | Houston, TX | Donald Vermeer, Geography, Louisiana State University | Environmental Disruption: Implications for Society |
| 1979 | Fort Worth, TX | Barbara S. Reagan, Economics, Southern Methodist University | Economics, Politics, and Social Change |
| 1978 | Houston, TX | William S. Livingston, Political Science, University of Texas at Austin | The Role of Social Scientists in the Development of Public Policy |
| 1977 | Dallas, TX | R. John Rath, History, Rice University | (Conference themes debuted in 1978) |
| 1976 | Dallas, TX | W. G. Steglich, Sociology, University of Texas – El Paso | |
| 1975 | San Antonio, TX | James Reese, Economics, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1974 | Dallas, TX | Jewel. L. Prestage, Political Science, Southern University | |
| 1973 | Dallas, TX | Lorrin G. Kennamer, Geography, University of Texas at Austin | |
| 1972 | San Antonio, TX | Ben Procter, History, Texas Christian University | |
| 1971 | Dallas, TX | Oliver Benson, Political Science, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1970 | Dallas, TX | Hiram J. Friedsam, Sociology, North Texas State University | |
| 1969 | Houston, TX | Francis B. May, Business, University of Texas at Austin | |
| 1968 | Dallas, TX | Raymon V. Lesikar, Business, Louisana State University | |
| 1967 | Dallas, TX | Alfred F. Chalk, Economics, Texas A&M University | |
| 1966 | New Orleans, LA | John E. Kane, Economics, University of Arkansas | |
| 1965 | Dallas, TX | John W. Morris, Geography, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1964 | Dallas, TX | Joe B. Franz, History, University of Texas | |
| 1963 | San Antonio, TX | Leon C. Megginson, Business, Louisiana State University | |
| 1962 | Dallas, TX | George T. Walker, Business, Northeast Louisiana University | |
| 1961 | (not available) | Stanley B. Arbingast, Business, University of Texas | |
| 1960 | Dallas, TX | Alfred B. Sears, History, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1959 | Galveston, TX | Walter T. Watson, Sociology, Southern Methodist University | |
| 1958 | Dallas, TX | J. William Davis, Political Science, Texas Technical College | |
| 1957 | Dallas, TX | Othel J. Curry, Business, North Texas State College | |
| 1956 | San Antonio, TX | John W. White, Business, University of Arkansas | |
| 1955 | Dallas, TX | Perry F. Boyer, Business, Louisiana State University | |
| 1954 | Dallas, TX | Carl Rosenquist, Sociology, University of Texas | |
| 1953 | Dallas, TX | Herbert Mundhenke, Economics, Texas Christian University | |
| 1952 | Dallas, TX | Vernon Sorrell, Business, University of New Mexico | |
| 1951 | Austin, TX | J.L. Waller, History, Texas Western University | |
| 1950 | Houston, TX | Edwin Foscue, Geography, Southern Methodist University | |
| 1949 | Fort Worth, TX | Stephan Caldwell, Economics, Louisiana State University | |
| 1948 | Dallas, TX | Cortez Ewing, Political Science, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1947 | Dallas, TX | Warner E. Gettys, Sociology, University of Texas | |
| 1946 | Fort Worth, TX | Wiley D. Rich, Economics, Baylor University | |
| 1945 | (no meeting) | Wiley D. Rich, Economics, Baylor University | (meeting not held due to World War II) |
| 1944 | (no meeting) | Wiley D. Rich, Economics, Baylor University | (meeting not held due to World War II) |
| 1943 | (no meeting) | Wiley D. Rich, Economics, Baylor University | (meeting not held due to World War II) |
| 1942 | Dallas, TX | S.B. McAllister, Political Science, North Texas State Teachers College | |
| 1941 | Dallas, TX | Raymond Thomas, Economics, Oklahoma A&M University | |
| 1940 | Dallas, TX | Clarence E. Ayres, Economics, University of Texas | |
| 1939 | Dallas, TX | C.O. Brannon, Economics, University of Arkansas | |
| 1938 | Oklahoma City, OK | James B. Trant, Business, Louisiana State University | |
| 1937 | Dallas, TX | Rupert Richardson, History, Hardin-Simmons University | |
| 1936 | Fort Worth, TX | Arthur B. Adams, Economics, University of Oklahoma | |
| 1935 | Oklahoma City, OK | C.S. Potts, Law, Southern Methodist University | |
| 1934 | Dallas, TX | C. Perry Patterson, Political Science, University of Texas | |
| 1933 | Dallas, TX | James Q. Dealey, Editory, Dallas Morning News | |
| 1932 | Dallas, TX | J.F. Zimmerman, President, University of New Mexico | |
| 1931 | Oklahoma City, OK | David Y. Thomas, History, University of Texas | |
| 1930 | Dallas, TX | M.K. Graham, Businessman, Graham, Texas | |
| 1929 | Austin, TX | H.Y. Benedict, Political Science, University of Texas | |
| 1928 | Baton Rouge, LA | Elmer Scott, Civic Leader, Dallas, Texas | |
| 1927 | Dallas, TX | J.G. Willacy, Senator, Texas State Senate | |
| 1926 | Dallas, TX | W.B. Bizzell, President, A&M College of Texas | |
| 1925 | Dallas, TX | W.M.W. Splawn, Commissioner, Texas Railroad Commission | |
| 1924 | Fort Worth, TX | E.R. Cockrell, Law, Texas Christian University | |
| 1923 | Dallas, TX | C.B. Ames, Judge, Oklahoma Supreme Court | |
| 1922 | Norman, OK | George Vaughn, Senator, Arkansas State Senate | |
| 1921 | Austin, TX | A.P. Woolridge, Political Science, University of Texas | |
| 1920 | Austin, TX | Hernan G. James | |
