Nominations for the 2018 awards, as well as the application for the 2018 Equity and Inclusion Fellowship and the 40 for 40 Fellowship, are open. All recipients will be honored at the 2018 Fall Research Conference.

This 2018-exclusive program will provide funding for 40 outstanding early career research professionals to attend the Fall Research Conference. Any public policy researcher, academic, or practitioner within five years of the receipt of their terminal degree is eligible.

The Equity and Inclusion Fellowship supports the travel and participation of up to 40 students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds at the Fall Research Conference. Fellowship recipients will have the opportunity to formally network with each other and with members of the Policy Council and Diversity Committee, recognizing them, their accomplishments and their bright futures.

The Kershaw Award and Prize was established to honor persons who, at under the age of 40, have made a distinguished contribution to the field of public policy analysis and management. It consists of a commemorative medal and a cash prize of $10,000.

The PhD Dissertation Award recognizes emergent scholars in the field by presenting an award for the best PhD dissertation in public policy and management. Winners receive a cash award in the amount of $1,500 in addition to a plaque, recognition at the annual Fall Research Conference, and publication of an abstract in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM).

The Rossi Award honors the lifetime achievements of Peter Rossi by recognizing important contributions to the theory or practice of program evaluation. The awardee gives a major talk at the annual Fall Research Conference, and receives a plaque, reimbursement for travel expenses to the meeting, and a cash award in the amount of $2,000, and is given out every other year.

Deadlines and submission info here.

Opioid misuse is a major epidemic across the nation. Local and state officials bear the burden of responses to the epidemic and need assistance coordinating research and resources.

This Institutional Forum, held at Duke University, will connect the worlds of research and policy across this escalating public health epidemic, and will be a valuable opportunity for academics, researchers, and policy officials to exchange best practices for research and policy support in the face of this crisis.

Registration is open!

APPAM is seeking to host a series of sessions specifically programed for student member attendees throughout the 2018 Fall Research Conference. We have held several of these sessions in the past on topics ranging from The Grant Writing Process, Tips for Getting Published, Policy Career Paths, and Data Visualization.

We invite all policy professionals and students to submit a session proposal(s) on topics of interest to students such as resume tips and CV pointers, presentation skills, bridging the gap between graduate school and your policy career, and how to effectively communicate your research. Proposals are encouraged to be original in design and attract a broad audience of about 20 - 40 students and early career professionals.

Download submissions details.

by Tara Sheehan, APPAM Executive Director

I know a lot about opioids. More than your average joe, anyway. As an idealistic college grad in the late 1990’s, I was positive that social work was the path for me. I wanted to get some direct service experience, then go into an Masters of Social Work program and go about my merry way, trying to make a difference in the world.

My first stop was a methadone clinic in Harlem, NY. I remember thinking that what we—as direct service providers—needed most, wasn’t what federal, state or local government was prescribing. There wasn’t widespread understanding at the time that opioid addiction could (and did) happen to anyone, there was frequent debate about the benefits of harm reduction (methadone clinics and needle exchanges then, Naloxone now) and there certainly wasn’t much sympathy for chronic users.

We cover a lot of important policy research and issues at APPAM—but this one is particularly meaningful. I hope we have record attendance at the APPAM/Duke Forum and I hope even more people catch the livestream. The only way we’re going to get a handle on this crisis is to talk about it and create opportunities for the people that are working on solving it to talk to each other, share resources and learn from one another. As much and as often as possible.

Read the full post.