2025 Public Administration Theory Network (PATNet) Virtual Conference
Public Administration and Democracy’s Promise
June 12 – 15, 2025 | A Fully Virtual Conference
Submit your proposal at the following link: https://forms.gle/Mmz8GxtqiCyWZVw27
The Public Administration Theory Network invites scholars and practitioners worldwide to participate in the 2025 conference in an entirely virtual format. This shift to an online setting ensures greater accessibility, inclusivity, and global collaboration while maintaining the robust intellectual exchange that PATNet is known for.
PATNet invites you to participate in an exploration of democracy at a crucial juncture. As with previous pivotal moments, we respond with a renewed dedication to examining how public administration theory and practice can engage with political forces that challenge democracy’s boundaries, equity, and public trust. PATNet invites scholars, practitioners and students to an exploration of democracy – a construct whose meanings, implications, and justifications warrant sustained inquiry.
The conference theme offers two primary axes of investigation:
An Instrumental Assessment: Democracy, like all systems, can be evaluated by the results it produces. Does it yield better laws, more equitable policies, or improved character among citizens? We invite proposals that probe whether, and to what extent, these claims are tenable under scrutiny.
An Intrinsic Evaluation: Beyond instrumental benefits, democracy is often ascribed a value in and of itself. Is there something inherently fair in democratic processes, or is this fairness merely a convenient fiction? Contributors are encouraged to analyze democracy’s intrinsic qualities – its supposed alignment with principles of equality and mutual respect – and to explore whether these values withstand critical examination.
In light of these questions, our conference also turns its gaze to the rise of populism, where themes of liberty and political obligation collide. Reflecting on modernity’s pressures, this call for proposals also invites contributions engaging with the dynamics of populist appeal and its implications for the administration of public services and goods. Modern populist rhetoric, with its appeal to those who feel overlooked by current systems, raises new questions about the responsibilities of public administration. How does a government balance obligations to liberty and justice with the demands of those who feel alienated from political power? What does equity in governance mean in this modern moment?
As always, PATNet encourages thoughtful and nuanced discussions on complex topics. We welcome papers that examine the balance between civic duty and individual agency, exploring how democratic values guide public responsibilities. Contributions that consider how different conceptions of liberty influence governance practices and ethical decision-making are especially encouraged.We seek contributions that also address the ethical dimensions of democracy, separation of powers, and constitutional norms. We welcome perspectives on spaces of hope and resistance, both within and outside state structures.
Additionally, we strongly encourage perspectives that draw on international and comparative administrative regimes, especially from the Global South and other non-Western contexts, to broaden our understanding of governance, power, and public responsibility. Insights from diverse regions will enhance our discourse on democracy’s challenges and complexities in varying cultural and political landscapes.
Submit your proposal at the following link: https://forms.gle/Mmz8GxtqiCyWZVw27
Special Features of the Virtual Conference
Global Accessibility: Scholars and practitioners worldwide can join without travel constraints.
Interactive Virtual Platform: Sessions will feature live discussions, Q&A opportunities, and breakout rooms for deeper engagement.
Recorded Sessions: If panelists and/or presenters agree, sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing, ensuring accessibility across time zones.
We encourage proposals that reflect innovative approaches to public administration theory, governance, and practice, with a particular interest in research that challenges conventional views or introduces new methodological perspectives.
Please be sure to indicate under which conference track your proposal best fits:
Theory: sessions that primarily focus on theory development, building, and exploration
Pedagogy: sessions that focus on incorporating theory and praxis in teaching and learning
Praxis: sessions that primarily focus on engaging, applying, and testing theory in practice
Panel Proposals
Panels are composed of 3-4 papers or presentations that are pre-arranged to address a common issue or theme. Panel proposals should include the following.
● Convener, Moderator, and Discussant names, affiliations, and email addresses.
● Title: Title of the panel for the program.
● Description: A brief description of the panel and its relationship to the conference theme
in 151 words or less.
● Paper Abstracts: Describe each paper in <151 words including the title, participant(s), not
attending author(s), organizational affiliations, and email addresses.
● Proposals should be designed to be sufficiently explored in one hour and 15 minutes. Proposals with too many participants may be asked to separate into two separate panels.
● Logistics: Please use this space to tell us if there are significant logistics challenges that
the conference committee can accommodate, such as Jewish Sabbath or other religious
considerations, accessibility differences, or other necessary accommodations.
Roundtables and Workshops Proposals
Roundtables and workshops create provocative, highly interactive discussions between
presenters and audience members. Roundtables are prearranged around a common theme or topic. Roundtable discussions are generally composed of 5-7 presenters and a discussant. Presenters may be asked a series of questions or given 5 minutes to briefly discuss their research as a means to spark discussion and contestation. These proposals are intended to generate audience involvement.
Please include the following information in your proposal:
● Conveners, Moderators, and Participants: Names, organizational affiliations, and email
addresses for each of the participants along with their participation roles.
● Title: Title of the roundtable/workshop for the program.
● Description: A description of the roundtable and its relationship to the conference theme
in less than 151 words
● Logistics: Please use this space to tell us if there are significant logistics challenges that
the conference committee can accommodate, such as Jewish Sabbath or other religious
considerations, accessibility differences, or other necessary accommodations.
Individual Presentations
If accepted by the program committee, individual papers will be grouped together in panel
proposals around topics that are arranged to speak to the conference theme. Proposal should include the following.
● Author(s): Name(s) of presenter(s), non-presenting author(s), along with affiliation(s) and
email address(es).
● Title: Title of the paper for the program.
● Abstract: A description of the paper and how it relates to the conference theme in less
than 151 words.
The deadline for submission is March 1 and presenters will be notified by mid-March.
Please note that we are considering proposals on a rolling basis.
Submit your proposal at the following link: https://forms.gle/Mmz8GxtqiCyWZVw27
PA Theory Network Fellows Program
PAT-Net recognizes graduate students who show interest and promise in scholarship that is devoted to critically understanding government, governance, and administration. Fellows engage in a pre-conference workshop. They receive a complimentary conference registration and a one-year PA Theory Network membership. The mentorship, connections, highlighting, and ideas that are generated from the Fellowship are unique in the field, and cherished by many scholars.
Apply to be a fellow at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/PATNetFellows2025