In This Issue:

• The Bridge Has an Online Index—and A New Format!
• Get Involved with Annual Conference 2018
• Webinars, BookTalks and Student Series on the Horizon
• Focus on Membership: A Profile Update Success Story!
• In Memoriam: Bruce McDowell
• PA TIMES Magazine Summer Edition Released
• SPPM Announces Call for Proposals
• SECoPA Just Around the Corner
• 2017 Transylvanian International Conference Call for Papers Closes Sept. 25
• 10th Annual Public Performance Conference Next Month
• SWPA Announces Logo Competition
• Lien International Conference This October
• NECoPA Taking Place This November
• 2017 PSPA International Conference Nov. 16-18
• ZSPA Public Service Awards Call for Nominations
• AIRMAP Announces 2018 Conference
• PAR Update
• New on PA TIMES Online
• Career Resources—PublicServiceCareers.org

The Bridge Has an Online Index—and A New Format!

ASPA is excited to announce that The Bridge is now archived on our website. Editions go back to January 2016 and we will be adding to it on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce a condensed format for this email. Beginning with this edition, you will find shorter articles—but plenty of links to take you online to the full edition of the newsletter, where you can find more information. We respect your time and want to give you the freedom to decide how much information you need.

This condensed format should make it easier for you to find and access the news you most want to know and act on it. We look forward to your feedback.

Happy reading!

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Get Involved with Annual Conference 2018

Annual Conference season is officially going full blast; how will you be involved?

Many of our members indicate that our Annual Conference is one of the primary reasons they are ASPA members. If that describes you, make sure you know everything that's going on so you can get involved!

Call for Proposals Deadline: Sept. 22
You've seen the emails, read the reminders, followed the Tweets. . . this year's Call for Proposals was launched in July and will be closing next Friday, Sept. 22. Make sure you get your topic proposal in for consideration; hopefully we will see your name on a panel this March!

Not in academia? Fear not! There are plenty of slots available for workshops and panels focusing on practitioner-based content generated from best practices learned in the field. You still have more than a week to put together a proposal that fits into one of our 10 tracks and share your professional expertise in Denver. Find the proposal submission form online here and track descriptions online here.

Annual Awards Program Launched
Did you miss it? You can now begin submitting names of colleagues, peers, mentors and friends to nominate within ASPA's annual, national awards program. More than 30 individuals will be honored throughout the conference for their contributions to public administration; make sure your honoree is included!

You can find a full list of the awards eligible for nominations, complete criteria and the nomination form online. All forms are due by Oct. 27, 2017.

Founders' Fellows Applications Now Accepted
Do you know a rising star within the discipline who would benefit from our Founders' Fellows program? Open to all ASPA student and new professional members, applicants undergo a rigorous review process, competing for 25 available spots.

The application period is now open and you have until Oct. 13, 2017 to submit your materials for consideration for the 2018 class. Find more information online and contact us with any questions.

Register Online!
The conference registration form is available on our website, as is our discounted early-bird pricing, which will expire on Oct. 27, 2017. For those of you who know you will be in Denver, register today so you can check that task off your to-do list. You can also find hotel information, exhibitor and sponsor information and much more all on the conference website. Review the details posted and check back soon as we continue to announce new information.

We look forward to seeing you in Denver! Contact us with any questions.

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Webinars, BookTalks and Student Series on the Horizon

ASPA's professional development webinars are ongoing throughout the year. Averaging 75 attendees per webinar and free to ASPA members, these e-learning opportunities provide you with valuable insights and information at your fingertips. Visit our website to stay in the loop about all upcoming webinars, BookTalks and Student Series.


Student Webinar: So You Want to Be a City Manager?
Sept. 14 | 1 p.m. ET
Presenters:
Brant Hanson, Ephraim City, UT
Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark, City of Coral Gables, FL
Sebawit Bishu, Moderator, University of Colorado Denver

This webinar will focus on the path to becoming a city manager and increasing diversity in the profession.




Veteran Policy
Sept. 20 | 1 p.m. ET
Presenters:
Raun Lazier, Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Policy and Planning
Nathan Williamson, Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Policy and Planning

This webinar will have a special focus on the relationship between the practitioner and scholar. VA experts will highlight their research priorities and areas where academics and practitioners can collaborate, and will outline actions for developing a field of study. It will also offer suggestions on ways to connect practitioner needs and priorities with those of researchers.




Report of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking
Sept. 21 | 1:30 p.m. ET
Presenters:
Katharine Abraham, Commission Co-Chair and Professor, University of Maryland
John Kamensky, The IBM Center for the Business of Government
Robert Shea, Grant Thornton LLP

Members of the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking have released the Commission’s final report and recommendations, "The Promise of Evidence-Based Policymaking." The Commission's charge was to study how to increase the availability and use of data in order to build evidence about government programs, while protecting privacy and confidentiality. Over the past 15 months, the Commission developed the findings, which they have presented to the President and the Congress. Attend this webinar and hear firsthand more about this critical initiative.




BookTalk: Policymaking for Citizen Behavior Change: A Social Marketing Approach
Nov. 15 | 1 p.m. ET
Presenter:
Nancy Lee, International Academy of Interfaith Studies

Social marketing is a discipline unfamiliar to many policymakers, often confused with the more frequently applied and studied fields of social media, behavioral economics or social change. It is a growing field and methodology, however, that has been successfully applied to improve public health, prevent injuries, protect the environment, engage communities and improve financial well-being. Policymaking for Citizen Behavior Change is designed to demonstrate the ways in which social marketing can be an effective and efficient tool to change citizens' behavior and how to advocate for and support its appropriate application.



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Focus on Membership: A Profile Update Success Story!

Thank you to the thousands of ASPA members who submitted profile update forms this summer! As a result, we can now better target what we send you so you can make the most of your ASPA benefits. Almost 2,000 of you helped us collect this data, providing us with plenty of information about yourselves. You will notice a difference in the coming weeks as your inboxes get lighter, and in the coming months as we are able to attract appropriate advertisers and program sponsors.

Fun fact! Did you know the average lifespan of an ASPA member is seven years? Even more: Our two longest-tenured members have been with us for 10 times that length—70 years! Kudos to all of you for being loyal, active partners with us and supporting the Society that supports your discipline!

We will have more fun facts to share in the coming weeks as we continue to parse all the data you've provided us. Don't forget: you can update your personal information on our website through your My Profile page any time! Contact us if you need help.

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In Memoriam: Bruce McDowell

Longtime ASPA member Bruce McDowell passed away Sept. 2 following a battle with acute leukemia. Known to many for his leadership roles at the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, McDowell most recently was a longstanding project director at the National Academy of Public Administration.

Bruce's first position was with the Maryland National Capital Planning Commission where he played a major role in developing the "Wedges and Corridors Plan," the comprehensive regional plan for the Maryland suburban portion of the National Capital Region. While at the Council of Governments, he completed his Ph.D. from American University and prepared the "Fair Share" housing formula for the Washington metropolitan area. In his 24-year tenure at the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, he pioneered the concepts of consultation among the federal, state and local levels of government.

Having joined ASPA in 1964, Bruce was an active member of many Sections, including SIAM, SPAR and SPPM. He lived in Montgomery County, Md., most of his life and was a member of the National Capital Area Chapter.

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PA TIMES Magazine Summer Edition Released

The Summer 2017 edition of PA TIMES Magazine has been posted to the ASPA website! Make sure you download your copy, which features the latest public sector news and trends.

This edition focuses on military and defense issues from a public administration perspective. Authors in this edition include:

• Elisha Harig-Blaine (National League of Cities)
• Marc Holzer (Suffolk University)
• Richard Keevey (Rutgers and Princeton Universities)
• ASPA President Janice Lachance
• Raun Lazier (Department of Veterans' Affairs)
• Allan Rosenbaum (Florida International University)

Also featuring the NASPAA list of accredited universities, a Section Spotlight on SPAE and more, this edition is packed with content. Download your copy today (login information required) and catch up on the latest research and thought leadership within public administration.

If you usually receive a copy of the magazine in your mailbox, fear not: your edition will be there shortly.

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Want to add an event? Email us with the details!

SPPM Announces Call for Proposals

In conjunction with ASPA's 2018 Annual Conference, the Section on Public Performance and Management has issued a Call for Proposals for its symposium, taking place March 9, 2018 in Denver. Click here for more information.

SECoPA Just Around the Corner

The 2017 Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (SECoPA) is just around the corner but you still have plenty of time to register. Taking place in Hollywood Beach, Fla., Oct. 4-7, the theme for this year's conference will be Defending Public Administration in a Time of Uncertainty. Click here for more information.

2017 Transylvanian International Conference Call for Papers Closes Sept. 25

The Department of Public Administration and Management, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Studies at Babes-Bolyai University, Romania, remind you to take part in its 2017 annual international conference: the Transylvanian International Conference in Public Administration. The conference will take place Nov. 2-4, 2017 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. A workshop for practitioners and a Ph.D. seminar are scheduled to take place before the main conference on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Abstracts of papers for consideration are due Sept. 25, 2017. Registration is open. Click here for more information.

10th Annual Public Performance Conference Next Month

The 10th Annual Public Performance Conference, hosted by the National Center for Public Performance, the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University—Newark and the Suffolk University Sawyer Business School's Institute for Public Service, will take place Sept. 28-29, 2017 at Suffolk University in Boston. The topic of this conference will be how organizations design, implement and sustain performance innovations that can withstand times of transition and change. Keynote speakers will include Governor Martin O'Malley, Donald Moynihan of the University of Wisconsin—Madison's La Follette School of Public Affairs and Shelley Metzenbaum of the Volcker Alliance. Click here for more information.

SWPA Announces Logo Competition

The Section for Women in Public Administration (SWPA) announces it has launched a logo competition. The new logo will be used on the Section's website, banner, fliers and all other promotional materials. The winning entry will receive a $200 award and an annual membership in SWPA. All submissions are due to the Section by Oct. 15, 2017. Email Hillary Knepper for more details or with your submission. Electronic entries only, please.

Lien International Conference This October

The biennial Lien International Conference for Good Governance is taking place in Singapore, Oct. 27-28, 2017. Hosted by the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, the conference is organized with ASPA and IIAS. The 2017 theme will be Forging Toward an Inclusive and Sustainable Globalization. Click here for more information.

NECoPA Taking Place This November

The 2017 Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA), is taking place Nov. 3-5 in Burlington, Vt. Focusing on its theme, Public Administration, Policy and Community Development: Managing a Changing Landscape, the conference will look at local communities' ability to thrive amidst political, social, economic and environmental change. NECoPA has recently announced that Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean will be its keynote speaker. Click here for more information.

PSPA International Conference This November

The Philippine Society for Public Administration announces its 2017 international conference will take place Nov. 16-18 in Mandaluyong, Philippines. Discussions will center around this year's theme, Innovations in Public Administration Reforms in ASEAN and in Asian Communities. Registration is open now. Click here for more information.

ZSPA Public Service Awards Call for Nominations

The Zambian Society for Public Administration (ZSPA) has issued its call for nominations for its 2017 public service excellence awards. With awards being given out in more than 15 categories, this is a robust awards program honoring public servants both within Zambia and internationally. The awards ceremony will take place Nov. 24, 2017 in Lusaka. Click here for more information.

AIRMAP Announces 2018 Conference

The Association Internationale de Recherche en Management Public (AIRMAP) announces its 7th conference will take place in Biarritz, France, May 31-June 1, 2018. The theme for the conference will be public innovation and management. Click here for more information and contact David Carassus with questions.

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PAR Update


The latest articles from Public Administration Review are available in the Wiley Online Library.

Research Articles

Explaining Self-Interested Behavior of Public-Spirited Policy Makers
Public choice theory (PCT) has had a powerful influence on political science and, to a lesser extent, public administration. Based on the premise that public officials are rational maximizers of their own utility, PCT has a quite successful record of correctly predicting governmental decisions and policies. This success is puzzling in light of behavioral findings showing that officials do not necessarily seek to maximize their own utility. Drawing on recent advances in behavioral ethics, Eyal Zamir and Raanan Sulitzeanu-Kenan (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) offer a new behavioral foundation for PCT's predictions by delineating the psychological processes that lead well-intentioned people to violate moral and social norms. They review the relevant findings of behavioral ethics, analyze their theoretical and policy implications for officials' decisionmaking, and set an agenda for future research. Link to PAR Early View

Never Change a Winning Policy? Public Sector Performance and Politicians' Preferences for Reforms
Despite the increasing stress on performance in public sector organizations, there is still little empirical evidence on whether—and if so, how—politicians respond to performance information. Benny Geys and Rune J. Sorensen (Norwegian Business School BI, Norway) address this research gap by linking registry statistics on school performance in Norway's 428 municipalities with data from an information experiment embedded in a survey of local politicians. Findings show that school performance bears only a weak relationship to politicians' preferences for resource-related reforms, but it strongly affects preferences for governance-related reforms, indicating the importance of accounting for heterogeneity across alternative types of (school) reforms. Moreover, local politicians are, on average, well informed about school performance. This reflects the force of local inhabitants' high information level on politicians' accountability. Link to PAR Early View

Exploring the Antecedents of the Gender Pay Gap in U.S. Higher Education
Organizational behaviorists have long argued that inequity in worker compensation is problematic. Thomas Rabovsky and Hongseok Lee (Indiana University, Bloomington) use data on 254 public and private nonprofit research universities to evaluate the antecedents of salary differences between male and female full-time assistant professors. Drawing on representative bureaucracy theory, they hypothesize that female representation among the associate and full professor ranks, as well as in executive management positions (including the university president), will be negatively associated with gender pay gap differences. Findings support the hypotheses, although the impacts for many of the variables differ between public and private institutions. Important effects are also found related to a variety of institutional characteristics, including funding from state appropriations. Link to PAR Early View

How Voluntary Environmental Programs Reduce Pollution
William McGuire (University of Washington Tacoma), Phi Cong Hoang (University of Georgia) and Aseem Prakash (University of Washington, Seattle) investigate the mechanisms that voluntary environmental program (VEP) participants adopt to reduce pollution. The focus of this article is the 33/50 program, a VEP introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1991 and discontinued in 1995. The program called for emissions reductions for 17 chemicals reported to the Toxics Release Inventory. Using a sample of approximately 12,000 plants, the relationship between 33/50 program participation and adoption of pollution reduction practices is studied for three time periods, 1991-1995 (program life), 1996-2004, and 2005-2013. These practices include source reduction activities (SRAs) and recycling, recovery and treatment (RRTs). The major findings are that during the program's life, 33/50 participants showed increased adoption of SRAs and RRTs for both targeted and nontargeted chemicals. However, once the program ended, higher adoption rates persisted for RRTs only, with a shift in emphasis toward treatment over recycling and recovery. Link to PAR Early View

Top Management Turnover: The Role of Governing Board Structures
The convergence of performance accountability policies, a graying bureaucracy and shorter executive tenures highlights the timeliness of investigating executive turnover. Prior public administration research has examined pull and push factors linked to these departures, but it has yet to fully explore the influence of governing board structures and political pressures that stem from such structures. Using data on 123 public four-year research universities in the United States from 1993 to 2012, Amanda Rutherford and Jon Lozano (Indiana University, Bloomington) find that governing board structures play a pivotal role in predicting the departure decisions of university presidents. While the size of the board increases the risk of departure, boards overseeing multiple institutions and boards with a faculty or student representative lower the risk of departure. Additional evidence suggests that both the share of gubernatorial and legislative appointees on the board and the party division of the legislature have a direct influence on departure. Link to PAR Early View

Collaborative Innovation, New Technologies, and Work Redesign
Stakeholders agree on the need to promote innovation in work organization in public services. This article deploys the concept of collaborative innovation to discuss employees' and managers' experiences of a major technology-driven work redesign project within National Health Service pharmacy services in Scotland. Colin Lindsay, Patricia Findlay, Johanna McQuarrie, Marion Bennie, Emma Dunlop Corcoran and Robert Van Der Meer (University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom) draw on extant literature on New Public Management (NPM) and collaborative approaches to innovation to frame more than 40 in-depth interviews with managers and employees. They find that key components of collaborative innovation—related to joint problem-solving, interdisciplinary working and mutual learning—were important to the success of the redesign project and had positive impacts on job quality for some employees. The authors argue that researchers and policy makers should look beyond NPM-driven models that have dominated some areas of the public innovation literature to consider the potential added value of collaborative innovation to improving both work and service delivery in the public sector. Link to PAR Early View

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New on PA TIMES Online

PublicServiceCareers.org


Find your next career opportunity at publicservicecareers.org. This online job board is the perfect resource for making a career change or landing your first job in the public service. It lists dozens of positions in academia, government and the nonprofit sector. Below are just a few current listings.

Analysts—Scorekeeping, Income Security, or Labor – Congressional Budget Office – Washington, DC

Assistant Professor of Public/Non-Profit Management – Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO

Senior Associate, Technical Assistance, Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative – The Pew Charitable Trusts – Washington, DC