Ninth Sino-US International Conference for Public Administration

Implementing Public Policy Toward Good Governance

June 15-17, 2018, Beijing

Host and Organizer: Renmin University of China, School of Public Administration and Policy
Sponsors:
American Society for Public Administration
Chinese Public Administration Society
Suffolk University: Institute of Public Service
Rutgers University: School of Public Affairs and Administration

Since the 1980s, countries around the world have been developing new governance frameworks to cope with the challenges of globalization and complex policy problems. New governance practices emerged at both the national and local levels, and new theoretical and analytical frameworks have been proposed in different areas of public policy. What is the relationship between governance transformation and policy design and implementation? Can they reinforce each other?

All conceptions of public governance emphasize the interaction and balance between government, market and civil society, paying particular attention to the collaboration between different sectors. However, with different political, economic and social environments, as well as different starting conditions of state capacity, rule of law and democratic accountability, nations differ in their approaches to and experiences of creating and implementing governance and policy. Take the U.S. for example, its current political climate emphasizes a fracture in the trust in government depending on an individual’s political associations. Governments, whether local, state, or national, must overcome this divide in order to fulfill their policy commitments to their citizens. China has been modernizing its governance system and capacity, but China emphasizes the implementation must be based on its own context and retain Chinese characteristics. How do national contexts influence our theory and practice about governance and policy?

This conference focuses on public policy creation and implementation towards good governance around the world. Some questions we might ask include (but not limited to):
What is the relationship between policy creation/implementation and governance? How to implement and evaluate governance transformation as a public policy? How are policy choices and implementation styles influenced by governance regimes? How is it possible to promote policy learning, policy innovation and policy diffusion, while maintaining competing short and long term commitments? What political and social mechanisms are necessary for good governance when creating and implementing policy? What new tools, instruments, and knowledge are useful in implementing policy toward good governance?

The conference sincerely invites scholars from China, Asia, the United States and other parts of the world to send in proposals for panels or papers. A comparative perspective is particularly welcomed.

Conference Tracks:
Papers and panels should fall within, but not limited to, the following tracks:
  • The Future of Governance and Public Policy Making
  • Implementing and Evaluating Governance Reforms as Public Policy
  • Governance Reform in Various Policy Areas
  • Choice about Policy and Governance Tools
  • Emerging Technologies, Public Policy and Governance
  • Evidence-Based Learning, Policy and Governance
  • Culture and Comparison in Public Policy and Governance
  • The Role of Nonprofits in Public Policy and Governance

Conference Language:
While papers may be written either in English or Chinese, presentations must be made in English. Invited keynote speeches at the conference opening plenary may be given in Chinese, but simultaneous translation will be provided.

Important Deadlines:
March 15, 2018: One-two page abstract due
March 30, 2018: Notification of paper acceptance and official invitation letter
April 10, 2018: Participation and accommodation confirmation
May 20, 2018: Papers Due
June 8, 2018: Participants’ confirmation on arrival time

Abstract and Full Paper Requirement:

Abstract requirement: Please include article title, research question, methodology, 3-5 keywords, author’s name, institution, professional title and contact information (mailing address, phone, fax and email address). 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font.

Full paper requirement: The paper should be theoretically sound and practically significant with rigorous methodology.

Please go to the conference website (http://spap.ruc.edu.cn/zmgjhy/) to submit the proposal abstract. The website will be periodically updated with new information about the conference. If you encounter problems with the online submission system, you can submit your abstract before March 15 via email to our two coordinators (please email them simultaneously):

Wenbo Gao
School of Public Administration & Policy
Renmin University of China
TEL.: 86 10 8250 2103
FAX: 86 10 6251 6240
EMAIL: [email protected]

Yahong Zhang
School of Public Affairs & Administration
Rutgers University at Newark
TEL: 973-353-3983 (O)
FAX: 973-353-5907 (O)
EMAIL: [email protected]

Conference Dates:
June 15, 2018: Registration and Pre-Conference Workshops
June 16-17, 2018: Conference Sessions

Additional Activities:
An International Deans’ Forum on challenges of public affairs education
An International Accreditors’ Panel on MPA Accreditation around the world
An International Editors’ Forum on publishing in top international journals
A preconference workshop for junior scholars
A preconference workshop for alumni faculties of Renmin University of China
Visits to explore China’s administrative reforms and innovations

Registration Fees:
The registration fee is $150 or RMB1000. The host will cover the meals and conference materials, and the participants are responsible for their travel cost. The host will provide free hotel accommodation for participants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, United States and other countries (Maximum three nights, i.e., 15, 16, 17 of June, 2018). Participants from mainland China are responsible for their own hotel accommodation.

Questions & Proposals:
Questions regarding the conference or proposals can be sent/submitted to Kaifeng Yang or Marc Holzer. Please note that proposal abstracts are due by March 15th.

Dr. Kaifeng Yang, Dean and Professor, School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, [email protected]
Dr. Marc Holzer, Distinguished Professor, Institute for Public Service, Suffolk University, [email protected]