The 12th Annual CAPPA Conference

Theme: Standing at the edge of the cliff?

May 22-24, 2024

Hosted by the School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Registration for the conference is now available on the CAPPA website at https://conference.cappa.ca/en/registration/ . All presenters are asked to register by end of day on April 15, 2024.

A draft version of the conference program will be available shortly. Programming updates will be posted to the CAPPA Conference website as they become available

 

Every day, the news reports a variety of crises around the globe, including natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, the pandemic, and socioeconomic crises such as homelessness, food insecurity, and wars. These events are seeping into everyone’s reality, no longer affecting specific remote regions but increasingly demanding concerted and coordinated responses from all government authorities. The simultaneous climate crisis, escalating inflation, resource scarcity, and the looming recession imperil our citizens’ quality of life. While governments strive to find solutions, these often prove to be temporary and short-term, underscoring government officials’ challenges in reacting swiftly and effectively. We must ask ourselves: are we standing at the edge of the cliff? It is imperative for governments not only to learn to navigate this new reality but also to craft innovative, sustainable, and inclusive solutions to the social, economic, and environmental difficulties they encounter. Let’s pave the way to a brighter future!

With the theme of this conference, we invite participants to contemplate the pressing challenges confronting governments, public administrations, and the broader public sector. These challenges span the realms of public policy, public management, teaching, and research within the expansive discipline of public administration.

We invite the submission of proposals encompassing various topics that align with our conference theme. These topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Food Policy Challenges: Examination of policy issues related to food production, distribution, and sustainability.
  • Environmental and Climate Policy: Analysis of policies addressing environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.
  • Blue Economy Sustainability: Exploration of policies and practices related to the sustainable development and management of ocean and coastal resources within the framework of the blue economy.
  • Evolving Work Dynamics: Exploration of emerging work patterns, labour shortages, and the complexities of human resources management within the public sector.
  • Data Privacy and Social Media Impact: Investigations into data protection, privacy concerns, and the implications of social media, as well as the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
  • Crisis-Responsive Policymaking: Studies on the utilization of evidence-based approaches in policymaking during times of crisis.
  • Risk Management in a Dynamic Context: Research on strategies for anticipating and managing unforeseen risks in an ever-changing environment.
  • Public Servant Preparedness: Consideration approaches to equip future public servants with the skills necessary to navigate chaotic environments.
  • Health Policy Analysis: Examination of policy matters related to healthcare delivery, access, and reform.
  • Indigenous Affairs: In-depth exploration of topics concerning Indigenous communities, their rights, and government policies.
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Research on policies and initiatives promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within government institutions.
  • Open for New Ideas: We welcome proposals addressing any other relevant topics or innovative ideas that contribute to the overarching theme of our conference.

We are also organizing a session on the teaching of our discipline. We therefore invite you to submit proposals for panels or individual presentations on topics such as new challenges in teaching our discipline, new teaching techniques or practices, or any other relevant topic.

Conference Attendance

The 2024 conference will be held in person at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

More details  will be posted in early 2024 on the CAPPA website and Twitter/LinkedIn.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. W. Dominika Wranik or Ms. Dolene LaPointe at cappacon@dal.ca.

Accommodations and Transportation

From the Airport, your best bet is to book a limo. For example, we often use Ben’s Taxi Airport Service. There are many other limos that can be booked in advance of arrival. You can also grab a taxi upon arrival, but there may be a wait. The rates are regulated. The airport is approximately a 30 minute drive from Halifax, therefore walking is not recommended. There are also some public transit options.

Guests of Dalhousie University often stay at one of the following hotels:

The Lord Nelson – In the heart of the downtown, close to the Public Gardens, and close to the Halifax Citadel, the hotel is a 15-minute walk to the Kenneth Rowe Faculty of Managment Building (conference site), 15-minute walk to the Halifax waterfront (opposite direction from the conference), and 20-minute walk to the Pier 21 Museum.

 The Atlantica – https://reservations.travelclick.com/72818?groupID=4312422 – Downtown, close to the Public Gardens, and a 15-minute walk to the Kenneth Row Faculty of Management Building. Walking distance to the waterfront and the Pier 21 Museum!

 The Westin Nova Scotian – A 3 to 5 minute walk to the Halifax waterfront and the Pier 21 Museum, this hotel is a 25 to 30 minute walk from the Kenneth Rowe Management Building.

If you have questions about specific accommodations close to Dalhousie, please reach out to us for more information.

About the Annual Conferences

The annual CAPPA Conference brings together scholars and students sharing an interest in public administration, public policy, and public management to consider new developments affecting teaching, research, and practice. Presenters share work in varying stages with audiences who engage in lively conversation and provide constructive feedback. Plenary sessions highlight key issues of interest to the public administration and policy community.  CAPPA hosts its Annual General Meetings during the conference. The Spring conference is hosted by CAPPA member institutions, and the location varies from year to year.  Look for Calls for Papers, Panels, and for participation in the Research Exchange in December/January!

Presentations

The program committee invites the submission of proposals for individual and group presentations, particularly those that explore innovative and high-quality theoretical, qualitative, or quantitative research. Proposals will be evaluated based on the significance and quality of the research question, design, methods, data (where appropriate), and implications. A completed paper is encouraged for sharing, but not necessary to be able to present. Thoughtful works in progress are always welcome. Individual submissions should include:

1. a title and abstract (250 words maximum);

2) the names/institutional affiliation/position/brief bio of the researcher(s) (100 words maximum).

Proposals for presentations by graduate students (masters and doctoral) are very welcome. We prefer that any such proposals be accompanied by a nomination from an academic supervisor or graduate program director. Individual submissions should include:

1. an abstract (250 words maximum);

2. the name(s)/institutional affiliation/position/brief bio of the researcher(s) (100 words maximum);

3) the name/institutional affiliation/position/brief bio of the academic supervisor (100 words maximum).

Panel proposals

Panel proposals consist of three or four individual presentations focusing on a common theme.  Proposals can offer theoretical or methodological perspectives, or both, and be submitted by one individual on behalf of the full panel. The submission should include a short description, including:

1. the title and overall theme of the panel (150 words maximum);

2. an abstract for each paper/presentation in the panel (250 words maximum);

3. the names/ institutional affiliation/ position/ brief bio of the panel members (100 words maximum).

President’s Annual Reports

The annual general meeting is held on the second day of the conference. Agendas and minutes will be disseminated prior to the meeting, and minutes published on this site once approved by the Executive and Board.

Past Conferences

2023 Conference – Standing up to the Wave

Public services across Canada and the globe face critical challenges and unique opportunities to change how public administrations think, shape and deliver many of their core services. Centering public sector values as the animating force, our 2023 conference challenges us to interrogate anew how ethics, accountability and transparency remain critical to public administrations that are facing unique and evolving pressures.

Our 2023 conference theme of ‘Standing up to the Wave’ highlights key issues and opportunities facing the study, teaching, and practice of public administration, with a mix of individual researcher presentations, panels and plenary sessions. This year’s conference will also be anchored by presentations and a workshop that focus directly on opening up new discussions about the future of public sector ethics and accountability in Canada.

Full information is available on the conference website here Full information is available on the conference website here Full information is available on the conference website here https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/ppal/2023/09/26/master-of-public-policy-and-law-case-competition-team-2023/

2020 Conference – Divides and Paradoxes in Public Administration: Challenges or Opportunities?

This year’s CAPPA conference will be held as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, May 31 to June 2, 2020. While opened to all areas of research, we encourage the submission of papers and panels related to Congress’ overall theme, which addresses the broad concept of bridging divides (http://www.congress2020.ca/about#theme).

Information about the CAPPA 2020 Conference, being held at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities in London can be found on the conference webpage: cappa.ca/conference/2020

2019 Conference – Public Administration for the 21st Century: Continuity and Change

The Canadian Association for Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) is pleased to announce its eighth annual Research Conference in Public Administration, Policy, and Management. It will be held in Montreal, at Concordia University, from May 23-24, 2019

Full information is available on the conference website here https://sites.events.concordia.ca/sites/concordia/en/cappa2019

2018 Conference – Gathering diversities | mâmawinitotân nanâtohk-ayisiyiniwa

CAPPA’s seventh annual Research Conference in Public Administration, Policy, and Management was held May 31 – June 1, 2018 at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. Building on the theme of Congress 2018, “Gathering diversities | mâmawinitotân nanâtohk-ayisiyiniwa,” the conference featured diverse gatherings in Canadian, Indigenous, Provincial and Territorial contexts that have engendered new innovations that enable communities to thrive, particularly in adverse times.

2018 President’s Annual Report to the AGM