We're back! The long-awaited, rescheduled 2021 APPAM Fall Research Conference kicked off with four Super Sessions, two community sessions, many pictures taken at the new headshot lounge, 50 posters, and countless informal meetings.
The day was packed with concurrent sessions where attendees showed up in-person--and some tuned in virtually at home! There was a lot of networking, sharing, and conversation to make up after a two-year in-person absence! APPAM President John Martinez opened the day with a Super Session on reproductive rights in the United States, a pressing topic here in Texas. He discussed policy that would address abortion, access to contraception and maternal healthcare, plus the potential of future state and federal policies.
The first of APPAM Communities, "First-Gen" Policy Researchers and Homelessness & Housing Instability Research Group, gathered to network and share research in the morning. The 2020 and 2021 cohorts of Equity & Inclusion Fellows had their first in-person meeting of the year with a casual lunch and more formal gathering in the evening.
The Welcome Reception hosted more than 50 posters where participants and attendees mingled while enjoying cocktails and appetizers.