The Political Science Student Association was founded in 1992 to represent students in the department of Political Science. When the International Development and Globalization, International Studies and Modern Languages, and Public Administration programs were founded, and the department of Political Science changed its name to the "School of Political Studies," the Political Science Student Association became the Political Studies Student Association. In 2007, following a referendum and constitutional reform the association became the new Political, International, and Development Studies Student Association (PIDSSA) to better serve its diverse membership.

The PIDSSA is the representative body for undergraduate students of the School of Political Studies and the students in the International Development programme at the University of Ottawa. The membership of the PIDSSA includes all full- and part-time students enrolled in the following programs at the undergraduate level:

Political Science
Public Administration
International Studies and Modern Languages
International Development and Globalization

The mandate of the PIDSSA is to represent its members before different bodies and to provide them with a forum to discuss ways in which to improve their educational experience, as well as other topics that are of interest to them. The PIDSSA is also responsible for organizing numerous social and academic activities in order to instil a sense of pride and cohesion among its members. An active membership in the PIDSSA can therefore offer numerous opportunities to complement both academic and social life at the University of Ottawa.