“Public Governance for the Common Good: Human Intelligence Serving the Global Community”

How can public administration shape a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable world?  The European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) invites scholars and practitioners alike to explore this vital question at our Annual Conference, hosted by the historic Sapienza University of Rome, from 24-26 August 2026.

Join us in reimagining governance for the common good - where human intelligence and public service unite to meet the challenges of our global community!

Call for new Permanent Study Groups (PSGs)

The Permanent Study Groups (PSGs) are the flagship forums of the EGPA community – dynamic spaces where scholars from around the world come together to explore enduring and emerging questions in public governance.

Each PSG offers a collaborative, long-term platform for developing ideas, advancing research, and building intellectual communities that connect early-career researchers and seasoned experts alike. Led by dedicated Chairpersons, PSGs craft calls for papers, review submissions, and nurture dialogue that pushes the boundaries of our field.

We are now inviting innovative and forward-looking proposals for new PSGs that address evolving challenges in public administration and governance - themes that inspire curiosity today and shape scholarship for years to come[EW1] . An overview of our long-lasting PSGs can be found at https://iias-iisa.org/egpa-2025-conference/#opt-5

Join us in designing the next frontier of EGPA’s intellectual journey!

Submission guidelines: a proposal for a new PSG should include:

• A max. 1200 word outline of the research ambitions, themes and targeted research community, research questions/topics for the upcoming 2-3 years;
• The name, institutional affiliation, and contact details of at least three academics supporting the proposal.

Call for Ad Hoc Groups (AHGs) and Specialized Panels (SPs)

In addition to the Permanent Study Groups (PSG), EGPA offers two complementary formats for presenting cutting-edge and ongoing research - designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and discovery across our community.

(1) Ad Hoc Groups (AHGs) are an experimental forum for academic teams eager to explore specialized or emerging topics within a limited timeframe. AHGs provide a flexible space to test new ideas, methods, and collaborations. We especially encourage early-career researchers to take the lead in proposing AHGs for the upcoming Annual Conference in Rome. Outstanding initiatives – those demonstrating clear impact, engagement, and sustainability – may evolve into a Permanent Study Group (PSG) in the future.

(2) Specialized Panels (SPs) are focused conference sessions dedicated to topics of particular interest, coordinated by one or more Chairpersons. SPs offer a platform for in-depth dialogue on specific policy or administrative challenges, connecting scholars with shared expertise and vision.

Submission guidelines: a proposal for a new AHG or an SP should include: 

• A max. 300 word outline of the research idea/method/collaboration to be explored in the upcoming year(s);
• The name, institutional affiliation, and contact details of at least two academics supporting the proposal;

Review dates and results

Whether through PSGs, AHGs or SPs, we invite you to bring new ideas, voices, and approaches to the EGPA community - shaping the future of public administration research together!

• Please send your proposals to egpa@iias-iisa.org no later than 20 December 2025.
   Questions and requests for clarification can also be directed to the same address.
• You will be informed about the review result no later than 15 January 2026. 
• Following a positive evaluation of the proposals, the chairs will be requested to send us their Call for Papers by 15 February 2026.

The EGPA Steering Committee will motivate its review result based on criteria including:

• Relevance to the public administration field (discipline and/or practice);
• Academic quality, originality, and innovative potential;
• Societal relevance and/or implications for practitioners;
• Capacity to connect with the European PA community.

We looking forward to receiving your contributions!