2026 Annual Conference Only Two Months Away!

Time is flying by! ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference, March 20-24 in Hollywood, is only two months away and excitement is building!

This five-day event will include:

• Four plenary lectures
• Nine presidential panels
• Opening Reception
• International Assembly
• Multiple university and Section receptions
• Student and New Professional Summit
• More than 150 concurrent sessions
• Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Luncheon
• SWPA National Awards Breakfast
• 10 Section symposia and a poster session

The Importance of Expertise

The Trump administration dominated headlines throughout 2025 with reports about changes to the federal civil service, including significant revisions to the merit system. The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) stands firmly behind the merit system as necessary to ensure appropriate services are provided to recipients of public programs.

Federal civil service members, the work they perform and the expertise they hold are vital to our government processes and administration. Moreover, that expertise is crucial to promoting American economic and business interests, safeguarding public health, ensuring international and domestic security and effectively addressing innumerable public policy concerns. This work requires specific, substantive knowledge and skills for which a nonpartisan workforce is recruited to ensure stability across programming over time.

The Pendleton Act of 1883, on which our system is built, required:

1. Federal government agencies select employees as a result of open and competitive exams designed to measure knowledge, skills and abilities needed for job performance and hire the most qualified candidates
2. Those filling government roles maintain political neutrality
3. Those employees be protected from dismissal for partisan or otherwise unjust reasons

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: Sailing Through the Doldrums: How Nonprofits are Coping with Funding Cuts
January 22 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Sponsored by ASPA's Greater Houston Chapter

Speakers:
Cynthia Colbert, President and CEO, Catholic Charities Houston Texas
James Colbert Jr., Superintendent, Harris County Department of Education
Peter Koelling, Moderator, Vice President, ASPA Greater Houston Chapter
Claudia Neuhauser, Vice President for Research, University of Houston

Many organizations have been facing sudden and dramatic funding cuts. The federal government has limited the amount of funding available and has failed to distribute much that has already been authorized. Funding from private charitable sources has become more competitive. Because the loss of funding has been sudden, organizations have not had the opportunity to plan for this reduction. This webinar's speakers will discuss how their organizations are responding to this situation. How are they coping with these funding cuts while still attempting to focus on their mission? How does the organization decide where funding should be prioritized? What is the impact on their team, and what will be the long-term effects?




From the Archives
KeepingCurrent: The Power of Performance Audits
While some efforts in the world of performance management can be little more than paperwork exercises, the significant role of performance audits cannot be overemphasized. They are mainstays of government accountability and when their job is done well, it can enhance trust on the part of residents who can see that there's someone out there whose role is to make certain that public dollars are being spent wisely and well. This webinar, featuring representation from cities, counties and states, provided honest insights into this world. (Members only)




Students and New Professionals: Preparing for Success: Interview Strategies in the AI Era
This workshop explored proven strategies for presenting yourself effectively in interviews, from preparation and research to professional presence and follow-up. Participants also learned how to leverage AI tools to refine resumes, practice role-playing and gain confidence before interview day. (Members only)

Project 2025 Implemented: A Five-Part Series

Project 2025. Dominating news headlines for more than a year, it has been at the center of heated political debate and public scrutiny. As we see this policy blueprint rolled out in real time and at breakneck speed, a real focus on its implementation and administration has been overlooked. Until now.

ASPA is hosting Project 2025 Implemented, a five-part series examining how the Trump administration has—or has not—implemented Project 2025. Focusing on good governance themes like professionalism, accountability, ethics and equity, speakers will discuss what we've seen so far, what we can expect moving forward and what lies ahead for public administration impacts and outcomes.

More details are as follows and on our website. These webinars are free and open to all participants (ASPA member or not); recordings are being posted to our website after each episode takes place. We hope you will join us for one of the upcoming programs.

Ethics under Pressure: Project 2025 and Public Integrity
January 27 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Part four of our Project 2025 series focuses on a critical and timely topic: the importance of ethics and accountability frameworks in the federal government. This discussion will examine how structural and personnel changes place additional strain on long-standing ethical norms and administrative responsibilities. We will discuss the many ramifications of these challenges and provide context, analysis and potential pathways for preserving ethical governance in a shifting political environment. Join us for this discussion on safeguarding integrity and responsibility in public service.

Speakers:
Richard Briffault, Joseph P. Chamberlain Professor of Legislation, Columbia Law School
Mark Greenblatt, Former Inspector General, Department of the Interior; Chair, Council of Inspectors General
Lawrence Noble, Former FEC General Counsel; Adjunct Professor, Washington College of Law




Social Equity in the Crosshairs: Examining the Equity Consequences of Federal Policy Reform
February 12 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Our final episode in this series examines the potential impacts of proposed reforms on historically underserved and marginalized communities. This webinar will explore how structural and ideological shifts in federal and state governance will reshape the landscape of equity-focused public service, with attention to the potential rollback or elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and service delivery; specific risks to equity in education, housing, health care and other essential services; and the role of public administrators and civil servants in protecting equitable access amid political and institutional pressure.

Election Results Announced

ASPA is pleased to announce the following individuals have been elected to leadership positions for terms beginning in March 2026:

• District I: Malcolm Oliver
• District II: Marlon Brown
• District III: Eric Zeemering
• District IV: Kitty Wooley
• District V: Joel Vallett
• International Director: Alfred Wu
• Student Representative: Mohsen Fatemi

A New Member Opportunity: Communities of Interest

ASPA's National Council established "communities of interest" this past fall as a new way for members to affiliate with each other across a range of topics and interest areas.

ASPA has had Chapters and Sections for decades, which have ebbed and flowed in popularity and activity level. By adding communities of interest to this mix of options, the National Council recognizes that not all Sections are able to organize fully and stay active in ways required by ASPA's policies and procedures. This new option enables small groups of ASPA members to create and disestablish themselves as interest rises and falls.

The biggest difference between Sections and communities of interest will be the very limited staff support communities will receive: no rebates (money to spend), no staff assistance and limited web presence. This also means communities do not have requirements to fulfill, governance elements to maintain or member marketing to support.

Those who are interested in starting a community can read ASPA's policies to learn more and contact staff with any questions.

In Memoriam: Calvin Kearney

ASPA is sad to announce long-time volunteer Calvin Kearney passed away in early December.

Kearney was most known for his loyal association with North Carolina Central University Association, his role as mentor to numerous students over the years and his commitment to fellow alumni. From 2013-2019, he was a well-known and beloved face at ASPA's annual conferences, helping at registration and in session rooms and keeping staff and volunteers in line.

Those who remember Calvin and would like to make a donation in his honor are asked to contribute to "Friends of Calvin Kearney: Continuing His Legacy of Giving." Donations can be made via MetroDCScholarshipSoiree.eventbrite.com; click on "Get Tickets".

Advertise at the Annual Conference!

ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference is the premier event of the year for the public administration community and a prime branding opportunity for any organization looking to be known in our space. We attract more than 1,200 attendees from across government levels, universities, think tanks, research organizations and more.

If you have not signed up to advertise your brand at this year's event yet, contact us right away so you can reserve your spot in one of this year's placements:

Conference Pocket Guide Full-Page Ad
The conference pocket guide is the only printed resource and a prime opportunity for your branding. Priced at only $900, this guide offers tremendous brand exposure and will be viewed by all 1,200 attendees at this year's event. Inside front and back covers, as well as the center spread placements, are available; ask for details!

Conference App!
ASPA's conference app is where attendees will find all of the materials and information they need to participate fully in the conference. If you are looking for an affordable option with excellent branding, reserve an ad for only $500 and be in the palm of everyone's hand!

Pop-Up Ad
For those looking for the "go big or go home" model, these pop-up signs are for you. Only $1,100, and sized at almost 7 feet high, your brand will be visible to everyone as they walk the hallways of the hotel. (Note: organizations that paid for this advertising in prior years cannot reuse it in 2026. New advertising must be purchased for this year's conference.)

Conference advertising options only happen once a year, and you have to act fast: Reservations and art deadlines are just weeks away.

Don't miss out! This is how to show your support for ASPA and demostrate to your peers that you matter in the discipline. Contact us to book your reservation now!

Becoming a 2026 All-America City

Each year, the National Civic League honors 10 outstanding communities with the All-America City Award, celebrating excellence in local innovation, civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration. This prestigious award highlights the remarkable potential within communities to address critical issues and drive meaningful change when residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders work in concert. As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, we reflect on the ongoing journey to fulfill the promise of a government by, for and of the people. The 2026 All-America City Award will recognize communities that are bringing these founding ideals to life by ensuring that the power to shape the future resides with the people. The award will spotlight communities across the country that are creatively engaging residents in collective efforts to create thriving and welcoming places where trust and belonging are abundant. Optional letters of intent are due by January 5, 2026; applications are due by February 26. Click here for more information.

New Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program: Leading People, Building Teams

Are you or your employees new to management roles? "Leading People, Building Teams" participants will build the skills and confidence needed to effectively lead individuals and productive teams—strengthening their organization's capacity to nurture and retain talent. Program chair Nathalie Laidler-Kylander crafted the curriculum to examine leadership through three distinct lenses: personal leadership, leading others and building teams. This program is offered online January 26-February 17, 2026 and includes an innovative blend of on-demand interactive sessions, collaborative group work and live faculty-led virtual sessions. Groups of five or more receive a 10% discount. Register today!

Tips, Resources and Updates

What the End of a Biden-Era Student Loan Program Means for Borrowers
The Trump administration has reached a joint settlement with seven states that will effectively shut down a key Biden-era student loan relief program. But what about the roughly 7 million people currently enrolled in it?

New Report Finds the Arctic Continues to Warm Faster Than the Planet as a Whole
Hundreds of Arctic rivers and streams are turning bright red-orange, not from chemical pollution, but from naturally occurring iron spilling from long-frozen ground as temperatures warm. The "rusting rivers" phenomenon, which has been documented across the Brooks Range in northern Alaska, offers a vivid example of the effects of climate change in a region that is warming faster than the global average.

Retiring Soon? Key Decisions Every Federal Employee Must Make
From survivor benefits and health coverage to leave payouts and TSP choices, federal employees nearing retirement face deadlines that can permanently shape their finances.

Federal Student Loans Are Changing. Here's What to Expect in 2026
Borrowers have spent much of 2025 trying to keep up with dizzying changes to the federal student loan system. The Trump administration and Congress are in the process of overhauling everything from how much Americans can borrow to how quickly they have to pay it back. Here's what to know as we head into a new year.

National Park Service Will Void Passes with Stickers over Trump's Face
The National Park Service has updated its policy to discourage visitors from defacing a picture of President Trump on this year's pass.

Wellness Trends Worth Taking into the New Year (and some that aren't)
NPR's science desk picked apart what's healthy and what's hype. Here are seven of the trends NPR reported on, and what the data and experts had to say about them.

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

• OPM's Plan to Unify Disparate HR Systems Taking Shape
• Transportation Planning to Expand Its Use of Agentic AI Capabilities
• NDAA Includes Directive for DOD to Prioritize Use of AI for Mental Health Needs
• Transportation Planning to Expand Its Use of Agentic AI Capabilities
• GSA Terminated Hundreds of Federal Office Leases, but Far Less than DOGE Targets
• NASA and Microsoft Finalize Tool to Track Earth's Water Changes
• "Incredibly Reckless": Trump's Wind Halt Stuns Even Some Allies
• Inside the Transportation Department's Technology Transformation
• OPM Touts Digitization Efforts, Blames Outdated Tech for Retirement Delays
• BEAD Changes Broke the Law, Federal Watchdog Finds
• The EPA Is Changing How It Considers the Costs and Benefits of Air Pollution Rules
• Grok Is in, Ethics Are out in Pentagon's New AI-Acceleration Strategy

• Exit Interview: GAO's Gene Dodaro Talks Impoundments, Tenure and Retirement Priorities
• Demystifying the New President's Management Agenda
• Pentagon Diverted over $2 Billion from Barracks, Schools to Fund Border Mission
• Postal Service Hopes Selling Access to Its Final-Leg Delivery Network Will Provide Much-Needed Revenue
• Trump Rebrands Congressionally Approved Troop Housing Subsidy as "Warrior Dividend" Bonus
• Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Homeless Aid Plan
• DOGE Cut Jobs, but Did It Cut Government Spending?
• Agriculture Focuses on SNAP Fraud, While Experts Worry EBT Theft Will Go Unabated
• Major Takeaways for Federal Agencies from the Latest Bipartisan Spending Package
• As Army Narrows Field for Its Flight-School Outsourcing Contract, Congress Says: Not So Fast
• Influencer, White House Welfare Fraud Claims Are Distorted, but the System Has Risks
• Army's Noncommittal Procurement Strategy Is Creating Quandaries for Vendors
• A Judge Orders HHS to Restore Children's Health Funding as a Lawsuit Continues
• PBS Weekend Newscasts Shut Down Due to Funding Cuts, Replaced by Single-Topic Programs

• After Eight Months, Administration Signals a Potential Leader for NSA, CyberCom
• Senate Confirms Ethan Klein to be Fifth U.S. CTO
• Ed Forst Sworn in as GSA Administrator
• Kirsten Davies Sworn in as Pentagon CIO
• NSA Alum Returns to Agency to Serve as Deputy Director
• Trump Renominates Plankey to Lead CISA
• More Border Patrol Supervisors Could Become Eligible for Overtime Pay
• Trump Finalizes One Percent Pay Raise for Most Feds
• SSA Phone Wait Times Longer Than Publicly Reported Metrics, Per OIG Report
• White House Creates New Assistant Attorney General Focused on Fraud
• The Next Phase of Trump's Renovations: A New "Upper West Wing"

• Trump Rules Force Cancer Registries to "Erase" Trans Patients from Public Health Data
• The State Department Reinstates an Old Font, in a Typeface About-Face
• U.S. National Park Gift Shops Ordered to Purge Merchandise Promoting DEI
• Sign Language Services "Intrude" on Trump's Ability to Control His Image, Administration Says
• RFK Jr. Announces New Rules Targeting Care for Transgender Youth
• Trump Administration Agrees to Drop Anti-DEI Criteria for Stalled Health Research Grants
• Congressional Appropriators Won't Codify Trump's Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Feds After All

Members in the News

Barrett and Greene:
DOGE Done Right? Look to the States.

Phil Joyce:
Trump and the Federal Budget: High Noon for the Separation of Powers?

Don Kettl:
New Flash Points in the Dispute between Feds and States

NASPAA:
Crystal Calarusse Appointed Executive Director of NASPAA

Howard Risher:
Research Confirms It: Happy Workers Are More Productive

Ron Sanders:
Controlling Ratings Inflation Is a Good Idea...But a Forced Distribution Isn't

Alan Shark:
How Preemption Worsens the AI Accountability Gap

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:

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program for New Managers
  Online | January 26-February 17, 2026
  Title: Leading People, Building Teams
  Click here for more information
  
  
• New Jersey Chapter/ASPA Webinar: Strengthening Public Service for 2026: Lessons, Resilience, and Professional Responsibility in a Time of Strain
  Online | January 27, 1:00 p.m. ET
  Click here for more information and to register
  
  
• 2026 COMPA Conference
  North Carolina Central University | February 22-25, 2026
  Theme: Building Futures by Bridging Divides: Public Servants Charting the Course for Tomorrow’s Governance
  The Call for Proposals is open
  
  
• 2026 PATNet Conference
  New Delhi, India | February 26-March 1, 2026
  
  
• 2026 ASPA Annual Conference
  Hollywood, California | March 20-24, 2026
  Theme: Building a Bridge to Resilience and Renewal
  Registration is open
  
  
• 2026 NAPA SELC
  Newark, NJ | May 28-30, 2026
  Theme: Leading and Learning toward a Future for All—A 25th SELC Anniversary Celebration
  Call for Proposals is open
  
  
• Seventh World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality
  University of Minnesota | August 3-5, 2026
  Theme: Partnerships, Pathways and Pipelines: Cross-Sector and Interdisciplinary Collaborative Strategies for Human Prosperity
  Call for Papers is open
  
  

• SASPA Awards Call for Nominations
  ASPA's South Asian Section for Public Administration (SASPA) is accepting nominations for three awards. All nominations materials for these awards are due by January 15, 2026. Send your nomination information or any questions to [email protected].
  
  The Krishna K. Tummala Award for Emerging Scholars recognizes outstanding scholars from South Asia and highlights emerging talent in public administration and policy in the region. The award includes a $300 cash prize and honors work that advances knowledge and discourse on issues significant to public administration, especially in South Asia. Emerging scholars are defined as anyone who has graduated with a Ph.D. in public administration or a similar program within the last three years; is an active member of ASPA; is from a South Asian country; and is committed to serving on the SASPA board for at least a year and participating in several committees during that time.
  
  The Student Scholarship award is dedicated to supporting and celebrating South Asian students whose work demonstrates exceptional promise for advancing within the field of public administration. The award aims to recognize emerging scholars with a $250 cash prize. The goal is to help students bear the costs of attending ASPA's Annual Conference. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a full-time graduate degree program in the United States; be an active member of ASPA; attend the Annual Conference; be from a South Asian country; and be willing to serve on the SASPA board for at least a year and participating in several committees during that time.
  
  The Sh. Jai Mangal Paswan Early Career Practitioner Award is presented to recognize the outstanding contributions of an early career practitioner in South Asia. The award will be presented at ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference (during the SASPA business meeting) and includes a cash prize of $200. To be eligible, you must have fewer than 10 years of experience in public service; be from a South Asian country; demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening public administration and governance in the region; and be an active member of ASPA.
  
  
• Central Virginia Chapter Awards Call for Applications
  ASPA's Central Virginia Chapter leaders are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 ASPA Central Virginia Chapter Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the fields of public administration, public policy, public affairs and public service within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year, the Chapter invites applications/nominations for two awards. Full award descriptions, eligibility criteria, and required application materials are included in the online Google form. Find information about the Student Paper Award online here. Find information about the Excellence in Public Service Award online here. All nominations are due by January 16, 2026. Contact the Chapter with any questions.
  
  
• Seventh World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality
  Academics, legal scholars, civic leaders, policy makers, advocates and activists committed to eliminating racial and ethnic inequality will gather to share the latest research, cutting edge programs and projects, and emerging approaches to develop new remedies to reducing economic inequality around the world. The Seventh World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality will foster a dialogue between those conducting rigorous academic research and those delivering practical programs to generate new ideas and tactics based on the latest evidence from academia and successful community efforts. The conference will discuss and propose solutions along four themes: global collaboration for impact, community and ubuntu; youth and leadership in the 21st century; the future of prosperity and new economic models; human rights, dignity and the future of democracy. This call for papers is open to all individuals from around the world; each proposal should be submitted in support of one of the four themes. All proposals are due by January 16, 2026. Click here for more information.
  
  
• Call for Proposals: NAPA SELC 2026
  Throughout the world, we are witnessing shifts in governance and democracy, what it means to be a citizen and who is deserving of civil and human rights. In this changing global environment, leadership in public service and advocating for justice to enhance equity in practices and policies are profoundly important. This year, we embrace the call to enhance social equity in public service by focusing on learning from each other to help us lead our institutions and communities toward the future in ways that benefit all. The 2026 SELC will focus on how and what we can do to address the challenges facing social equity in public service today and into the future. As NAPA celebrates SELC's 25th anniversary, the conference seek to advance social equity and build a path that will lead to a better future. Organizers particularly encourage proposals from practitioners and community leaders, as well as academics and students. Proposals that highlight intersectional dimensions of leadership are especially welcome. Tracks include: leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors; pursuing equity and safeguarding civil rights; challenges to higher education in a changing world; impacts of federal policy changes on state and local governments and nonprofit organizations; artificial intelligence, data and evidence; and governance, equity and human rights around the world. Click here to submit your proposal. All proposals are due by January 18, 2026.
  
  
• SCPA Awards Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section on Chinese Public Administration will present four awards at the 2026 Annual Conference: Article of the Year Award, Best Student Paper Award, Marc Holzer Excellence in Mentorship Award and Student Travel Award. The Section invites nominations for each of the categories. To receive a copy of the descriptions, or if you have questions, please contact the award committee and copy committee chair Bo Wen. All awards will be announced and presented during the SCPA business meeting at the 2026 Annual Conference. All nominations are due by January 31, 2026.
  
  
• SNAPS Awards Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Students and New Administrators Professionals Section (SNAPS) is pleased to announce that nominations are open for its 2026 awards program. These awards honor the outstanding work of graduate students, recent graduates, emerging scholars and early-career practitioners across public service disciplines. The following categories are open for nominations: Master's Capstone/Thesis Award; Emerging Scholar Doctoral Dissertation Award; Outstanding Peer-Reviewed Article Award; Outstanding Book Chapter Award; Book/Edited Volume of the Year Award; Early-Career Practitioner Impact Award and Service to Students & New Professionals Award. Nomination Requirements include a short bio (including career goals and institutional affiliation); a project summary (max 1000 words); and a PDF of the published work, capstone/thesis, dissertation or supporting documentation. Additional documents must be emailed within 72 hours of completing the nomination form. The Section welcomes submissions from across the globe and strongly encourages students, recent graduates, early-career practitioners and faculty mentors to apply or nominate deserving individuals. Award recipients will be recognized at ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference and featured across SNAPS communication platforms. Click here to access the nomination form. All nominations are due by January 31, 2026.
  
  
• SPALR Awards Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section on Personnel Administration and Labor Relations (SPALR) has announced that it is accepting nominations for its 2026 SPALR Awards. Categories are: Outstanding Practitioner Award, Jonathan West Outstanding Scholar Award, Dissertation Award, Stephen E. Condrey Service to the Section Award, Mary Guy SPALR Lifetime Impact Award and Outstanding Book Award. Winners will be announced by email and award plaques will be presented during the SPALR business meeting during the 2026 Annual Conference. Click here to complete the nomination form. All nominations are due by January 31, 2026.
  
  
• SCNS Award Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section for Complexity and Network Studies (SCNS) is pleased to seek nominations for the 2026 Sam Overman Best Paper Award. To be eligible for the award, papers must be published or presented in the 2025 calendar year by an SCNS member. Self-nominations are welcome and emerging or junior scholars are especially encouraged to submit for the award. Those interested in submitting who are not members may join. Evaluation criteria include contribution to network or complexity literature, relevance to public administration and research quality (theoretical, methodological). Nominations are to be submitted by email to Kate Albrecht and include a one-page summary that highlights the research contribution and relevance, and a PDF file of the paper. Nominations are due by February 23. The award will be announced at the 2026 Annual Conference.
  
  
• Call for Papers: Special Issue on Accounting for What Matters (Financial Accountability & Management)
  Public sector organizations are navigating economic instability, climate crises, inequities and political pressures, often forced to balance financial sustainability with the equally vital goals of social sustainability and equity. This special issue invites research that rethinks public sector accounting and accountability, not only as tools for fiscal management but also as frameworks that foster inclusion, fairness, resilience and long-term public value. Editors welcome conceptual, empirical and comparative studies addressing how accounting can better embed social sustainability, manage value trade-offs, strengthen organizational resilience and challenge existing power dynamics. Case studies, longitudinal analyses and critical perspectives across diverse contexts (health care, education, social services, etc.) are encouraged. Click here for more information. Submissions are due June 30, 2026.
  
  
• Citizen Engagement Survey
  ASPA member and former Frederickson Center for Social Equity graduate assistant Robert Waller is completing his dissertation and has requested ASPA member participation in his survey. He has provided the following information: The focus of the study is citizen engagement and decisionmaking through the evaluation of fiscal stress and structure/unstructured budgetary processes. The evaluation will be conducted through implementing an online budget simulation upon a participating citizenry. This research seeks to contribute to the body of literature as both a research document and practical evaluation tool for the public sector organizations and decisionmakers. While there are many public sector entities that have integrated technology into the budgetary decisionmaking process, few have evaluated participatory decisionmaking center on a university campus (simulated or factual). This research may result in a better understanding of how to develop a budget, and advance knowledge and research in the following by providing information on how budgetary decisions are made as fluctuations in revenue or expenditure allocation, measuring the impact of and participation in budgeting decisions by the citizenry based on behavioral financial theory, and evaluating the integration of software solutions and data analytics into the budgeting process and providing officials (and citizens) with critical insights needed for informed decisionmaking. Participation in this research project is completely voluntary; IRB guidelines have be complete and provided; participation will take 10-15 minutes. Participants will be asked to do the following procedures: Engage in the budget simulation; agree to consent/information statement; upon reading the prompt, the participant will enter the budget simulation; address a $30 million dollar budget deficit through the selection of financial determinants; and conclude by providing demographic information. Click here to participate.
  
  
• Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration Articles Collection
  The Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration maintains a special collection of articles that examines various questions regarding public service motivation in the public sector. This article collection has two goals. The first is to advance theoretical and practical perspectives on public service motivation across regions. The second goal is strengthening contributions about non-Western scholarship by leveraging contextual and regional distinctions. Find this special collection online here.
  
  

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!)

• Administrative Persistence and the Problem of Outcome Blindness
  By Robert Choi
  
  
• In Search for New Concepts
  By Md Eyasin Ul Islam Pavel
  
  
• Proud Bureaucrat: Reclaiming the Importance of Public Service
  By Nicole Wojciechowski