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ASPA 2025 Conference Theme Announced, Call for Proposals Released
ASPA's 2025 Annual Conference, the premier public service gathering of the year, will take place in Washington, DC, March 28 - April 1. The theme that will guide the gathering, "Not Robots Yet: Keeping Public Servants in Public Service," speaks to the challenges and changes the public sector is facing right now and how those challenges can be addressed.
The Call for Proposals has been announced; all proposals are due September 13, 2024.
Like all professions and fields, public service operates in an environment where the only constant is change. Technological change has been especially fast paced, heralding the fourth industrial revolution and substantially shifting our field—in delivering public services, building smart cities, forecasting threats to the public good, anticipating emergencies for better preparedness, recruiting and managing the “best and brightest,” conducting high quality research and teaching the next generation of public service professionals.
Each passing day brings new digital tools. Some are introduced without a hitch and increase efficiency and outreach. Others gum up the works and pose new problems for service delivery. Some take humans out of the equation, relegating them to an oversight, behind-the-scenes role to ensure the tools behave as planned. Others still need humans, but perhaps fewer than before. All of them enable new forms of interaction, yet also can alienate some groups systematically. Above all, they require a different mindset for how we approach “serving the public.” ASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference will dive deep into how our profession can embrace today’s tools as enablers without being dominated by them.
The conference will take place at a time of immense challenge for public service. Tools are a critical example and there are others. Elections taking place in the United States and abroad. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Global shifts in governance and democratic norms. Cross-national cooperation. All are transforming how leaders and policymakers exercise their powers and how public administrators conduct their work. In building an effective and responsive public sector, we must cope with fundamental changes to how we serve the public good. That is why we not only invite proposals related to the conference theme, but also those examining these shifts and their impacts, both known and unknown.
This year’s conference will look at all aspects of these challenges: ethics, accountability, trust, human resources management, equity, diversity, fairness, economic impact, service delivery—plus the technology itself and best practices that are developing and evolving as their use grows. Six tracks will shape these conversations:
- Good Governance and Service Delivery
- Social Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Ethics, Trust and Accountability
- The Tools
- Human Resources Management
- Public Service Delivery
ASPA is seeking proposals for sessions, individual papers or topics and workshops that will delve into this theme and its related tracks. These proposals will form the bulk of the sessions presented during the conference and provide attendees with learning objectives throughout the event.
Click here for more details and the link to submit a proposal.
E-Learning at Your Fingertips
ASPA staff work tirelessly to keep your skills up to date and the information flowing all year long through our e-learning program. Visit our website to see more details about upcoming KeepingCurrent, BookTalk and Student and New Professional series programming.
KeepingCurrent: The UN Global Report on Gender Equality in Public Administration
August 20 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Presenters:
Mihriban Muge Finkel, University of Pittsburgh
Melanie Hughes, University of Pittsburgh
The 2021 Global Report on Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA), jointly produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, was launched first at the United Nations High Level Political Forum in November 2021. The report provides an overview of key trends and analysis on women’s participation and leadership in public administration, drawing from the Gender Parity in Civil Service dataset. The report finds that though there has been progress on women’s representation overall in public administration, persistent gaps remain. Women continue to hit glass ceilings and glass walls that stop them from advancing to positions at the highest levels of power and influence, including in organizations tasked with COVID-19 response. The report also highlights the important ways that gender intersects with disability; race, ethnicity and indigeneity; age; and other social categories to shape inequalities in public administration. The report closes with practical recommendations to reimagine and redesign more gender inclusive and diverse public administrations. The report is the product of six years of collaboration between the UNDP and the GEPA working group researchers at Gender Inequality Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Müge Finkel and Melanie Hughes.
KeepingCurrent: Undermining Our Rights: A National Emergency for the LGBTQ+ Community
August 20 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Postponed from August 13
Presenters:
Christopher Surfus, Faculty Specialist I/Lecturer, Western Michigan University
Wallace Swan, Contributing Faculty, Walden University
Accurate data on the numbers of LGBTQ+ people is very important to understanding the current climate for the LGBTQ+ community on the national, state and local levels. Chris Surfus will discuss the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey and present demographics data on the LGBTQ+ population of the United States. This data contrasts with the recently released (March 13, 2024) Gallup poll data. The importance of this discrepancy is that the LGBTQ+ population in the United States, which is actually above 10 percent of our American population, is facing critical challenges by forces opposed to human rights. Wallace Swan will review the various attacks on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and present opportunities for advancing the LGBTQ+ community in federal data collection.
BookTalk: Organizational Behavior and Management
August 27 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Presenters:
Harry Briggs, Moderator, Publisher
Jone Pearce, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Organization and Management, University of California, Irvine
Jessica Sowa, Professor, University of Delaware
This is a different kind of textbook, addressing the practical problems managers in public and nonprofit organizations face in doing their day-to-day work. It looks to systematic research on organizations, seeking to discover which actions and practices actually do and do not work. Unlike other textbooks, Organizational Behavior and Management actually translates this scholarly research for those managers seeking to understand and successfully manage their public or nonprofit organization. Note: This edition was written in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered many behaviors and organizational practices we often took for granted. Where relevant, the authors acknowledge the significant impact COVID-19 has had (and continues to have) on how we organize to pursue public service goals and produce public value.
From the Archives
KeepingCurrent: U.S. Supreme Court Ethics
Recent years have seen a rise in questions about the ethics of the United States Supreme Court. In the past, the high court was considered the most trusted of the three branches of American government. Controversies such as political activism and financial disclosures have raised concerns as to whether this trust is misplaced. This webinar addressed the ethical dilemmas that have plagued the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years and examined what could be done to re-invigorate the high court's ethical image. Listen to this webinar, which was sponsored by ASPA's Section on Ethics and Integrity in Governance, via our online archives now. (Members only)
Students and New Professionals: Careers in Federal Government: Searching for a Job, Succeeding in It
"Shape America’s Future" is the tagline on USAJOBS, the federal government’s online portal to thousands of federal jobs based in Washington, DC and around the country. However, the federal job search process can be daunting for new graduates pursuing a public service career. How do you develop an effective application and get it seen? How do you master the art of the interview and hiring process? And, once hired, how can you make a federal career work for you? (Members only)
ASPA National Council Call for Nominations Open
For the past 85 years, ASPA has owed its strength to our dedicated members. Our committed volunteer leadership plays a critical role in charting ASPA’s path: who we are, what we do and where we are headed.
This year's call for nominations is open. Consider yourself or another member for a leadership position. This year, members will elect a president-elect (serving for two years before becoming ASPA president in 2027-2029), five district representatives and a student representative. All will serve on the National Council, our governing board, which sets ASPA's policy direction, ensures our financial and programmatic position and promotes ASPA in the broader public service community. Click here for more information about the Council's responsibilities.
We seek nominees representative of ASPA's professional and membership composition, balancing academic and practitioner, and including international, nonprofit and all levels of government.
In addition, the National Council has charged the 2024 Nominating Committee with presenting a diverse slate of nominees—in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation and other important forms of diversity—and committed to participating in ASPA's development and fundraising activities.
ASPA seeks candidates with a wide range of leadership skills, including a strategic understanding of the public service field—spanning practice and scholarship—to position the Society for continued programmatic and financial growth. We also seek individuals with a commitment to building a positive organizational culture and modeling care and loyalty to our Society. Elected leaders are expected to participate in ASPA's development activities; this includes making an annual financial contribution. Click here for more information about the National Council's responsibilities.
Nominations will be accepted until Tuesday, September 3 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
What "Good Government" Means
Words matter, and it turns out that the language government agencies use to describe their work, particularly to the public, may not have the intended impact.
Focus groups conducted earlier this summer have unearthed some new data about how important it is that what government agencies say is outward facing, not inward. In other words: Express your agency's work in terms of what you are doing for citizens, not for the elected hierarchy. Changing the words we use to describe our work can have an impact on the public's perception of government and trust in it.
Don Kettl, former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, has captured these findings and some of the most important take-aways from this data—including how they relate to Schedule F, the Biden administration's presidential management agenda and Project 2025 (no, it's not dead). Review the article here via GovExec. This is an important read and an even more important concept for everyone in public service roles.
ASPA Members: Routledge Discounts Available
Summer may be coming to an end but there's always time to update your reading list and add new books to your collection. If you find yourself interested in something from the Routledge catalog, remember that ASPA members receive a 30 percent discount off purchases.
Visit our website for more information about ASPA's partnership with Routledge and to access your code, useable when you check out from the Routledge site. And, remember to look at the ASPA book series, partnering with authors for all things "public administration." From HR to government performance to local government and beyond, the list of titles has something for everyone!
Happy reading!
JSEPA 2:2 Is Out
The most recent edition of the Journal of Social Equity in Public Administration (JSEPA) has been released. Volume 2, issue 2 includes research and reviews from an array of equity-minded scholars, covering topics such as municipal sustainability, #BlackLivesMatter, critical race theory, women's philanthropic nonprofits and more. JSEPA is open access; please share articles with your colleagues, students and social media followers.
Public Administration Today Highlight
Public Administration Today features white papers, research and blogs from across the profession. If you're interested in more—especially your own curated news feed in your inbox every week—visit the website, create an account and check off your interest areas so you can stay up to date about the latest research being released!
An Open Letter to Elected Officials
Via Barrett and Greene: Last week we were talking to an inquisitive person who is rising in the local public sector world. The conversation turned to performance management (one of our favorite topics) and the question was posed to us: “What do you think are the biggest impediments to more widespread use of that discipline?
Tips, Resources and the Fun Stuff
Lie Down, Sit Still, Take a Break: Your Brain Needs a Rest
Breaks as short as 10 minutes can boost vigor and reduce fatigue, one analysis found.
How to Avoid Falling for Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories
There’s a flood of real, misleading and fake breaking news and information online. Proceed with caution.
In the News
Today's headlines contain plenty of news coverage of some of our nation's most pressing public administration challenges. ASPA has curated some of the most important stories from recent weeks. If you have not seen these yet, make sure you read them now!
Infrastructure
Public Finance
Public Service
Social Equity
Members in the News
AI and the Power of Intelligent Voice
By Alan Shark
The Devil Is in the (Financial Reporting) Details
By Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene
What Governments Need to Build a Strong Workforce
By Bob Lavigna
Long Fiscal COVID: The Lingering Governmental Disease
By Don Kettl
Tell Me Something Good...
Minnesota Invests $100 Million in Career Development Programs
The state has two openings for every unemployed person. Both the state and private companies are stepping up their outreach efforts and apprentice programs. Kayla Gunderson spent years working in Minneapolis as a waiter, security guard and even a Papa Murphy’s store manager, all jobs paying less than $20 an hour...
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Around Public Administration
Here are the most recent updates from across the profession. Did we miss you? Send us your news and we'll include it in the next round!
Upcoming Events:
Calls for proposals, calls for nominations and other updates:
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NECoPA Call for Proposals
The 2024 Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA) will be NECoPA’s 15th year of bringing together scholars and practitioners from the northeast region, the United States and internationally. Taking place in person at Pace University in Manhattan, this year's theme is "Building a Flexible Public Service through Innovation and Collaboration." The concept recognizes the advancements in digital technology as well as the intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaborations in addressing wicked public service problems while advocating for and protecting our democracy. Topic areas include but are not limited to: innovation and technology in public service; financial management and budgeting; diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in public service; public service education; and performance management and program evaluation. Proposals will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. All proposals are due by August 19, 2024. Click here for more information.
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Call for Papers: Public Works Management and Policy
Public Works Management and Policy (PWMP) seeks novel manuscripts that connect core public administration theory (including policy and management) with modern challenges in the realm of public works. This includes relevant research from all subfields of public administration, including budgeting and finance, human resource management, performance management, policy change, policy analysis and so on, provided that it 1) connects to a core body of public administration or policy theory, and 2) is aligned substantively with the public works management focus of the journal. Recent developments in technology and governance lead to a broadening interpretation of public works management that includes traditional, novel and hybrid foci. For example, papers might examine core public management or policy challenges surrounding: transportation infrastructure, including: roads, bridges, ports, airports, rail, intermodal shipping, parks and recreation and others; utilities, including: water, sewer, waste management, telephone, cellular and internet availability and connectivity; economic development, including: industrial parks, urban redevelopment such as tax increment finance districts, or higher education capacity building; capital construction projects such as schools, libraries, prisons and jails, government offices and military installations. Each of these topics is germane to PWMP’s focus, and when addressing core conceptual questions, is welcome to be submitted for consideration. Articles we are especially interested in publishing are those that address salient and timely questions about current and emerging problems, those that examine new and innovative forms of infrastructure and their use, adaptations of existing infrastructure to new uses, and the integration of infrastructure with the softer side of government—how it is used and how it affects governance for the better or for the worse. Click here for more information.
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Call for Book Proposals: Ethics Press
Ethics Press is inviting proposals for scholarly books and edited collections in humanities and social sciences, and broader related fields including life sciences and health sciences. They specialize in books for the academic market. All proposals are independently reviewed. To review a proposal, submit a completed proposal form, a sample of the proposed book and a cv. If you are unsure whether a proposal is likely to be selected for review, send a summary or abstract first. They will consider adapted doctoral theses and edited collections, including adaptations from conferences and symposia.
Click here for more information.
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ABFM Announces Annual Award Honorees
Congratulations to ABFM's 2024 award honorees, who will receive their awards this fall at the Section's 2024 conference. Bob Bland will receive the Aaron Wildavsky Award; Marilyn Rubin will receive the Paul Posner Pracademic Award; Shayne Kavanagh will receive the S. Kenneth Howard Award; Peter Jones will receive the Scholarly Engagement Award; Luis Navarro will receive the Michael Curro Award; and George M. Guess and James D. Savage will receive the Best Book Award.
Click here for more information.
PA TIMES Online
Here's a selection of current pieces on PA TIMES Online, covering a range of issues within the profession. We accept individual articles on a rolling basis; if you have a piece you think would fit our publication, submit it to [email protected] for consideration. (Please review our submission guidelines in advance!)
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