Since 2019, APPAM Communities have provided invaluable opportunities to connect around shared identities and interests. Communities gather together at the Annual Fall Research Conference, throughout the year at in-person meetings, and virtually through our online platform.
Please see APPAM's current communities below. Members are encouraged to submit ideas for new Communities and suggestions for Communities chairs at [email protected]. Please note: You must be a professional, active member to suggest an idea for a new Community.
Interested in starting a new community? APPAM Communities can be started by a current APPAM member who has collected a roster of 20 current APPAM members who would also like to join. The Communities will then be reviewed by the APPAM Policy Relevance Committee for approval. Contact Michelle Avaroma for more information.
Interested in joining? You can join easily through the Member Hub (coming soon!). Communities are what you make of them, so we encourage you to participate, talk to fellow members, share resources, and make connections. Communities will only be available to members. and must first read and agree to follow APPAM's Code of Conduct in order to participate.
Interested in becoming an APPAM Communities Chair? We are currently seeking dynamic leaders to serve as Community Chairs across our vibrant communities! As a Community Chair, you'll engage APPAM Members monthly through the APPAM Membership Hub and host an annual webinar. APPAM provides all the infrastructure and recruitment support—you bring the vision and leadership. Fill out this form, and Michelle Avaroma will be in contact with you.
Active Communities
Artificial Intelligence
Co-chair: Daniel Schiff
Co-chair: Kaylyn Jackson Schiff
The APPAM AI Community is a group of individuals passionate about the relationship between AI and public policy, whether about the emergence of AI policy as a field, the study of AI's impact on social or ethical issues, or in the application of AI techniques in research. Our community includes researchers and practitioners in academia, civil society, government, and industry, whether experts or novices, and especially welcomes students.
BIPOC in Public Policy
This Community was created to help support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color engaged in research. Discussions include challenges faced by BIPOC researchers, challenges in the field itself, and ways APPAM and other stakeholders can help engage and promote DEI.
Chinese Policy Scholars Group
Co-chair: Can Chen
This Community fosters a dynamic and inclusive community for scholarly and professional exchange, bringing together Chinese and non-Chinese policy scholars interested in Chinese public policy and comparative public policy.
Data Science
Co-chair: Jon Schwabish
Co-chair: Torbet McNeil
This Community explores data science topics and applications in public policy and management. It takes a broad view of data science, including quantitative skills, domain expertise, and “soft skills,” such as ethics and communication. Anticipated community discussions include aligning data science with public policy and management training, as well as the impact of data science on public policy and management careers and research.
Early Career Professionals
This Community is for those new to the research world (less than 10 years post-terminal degree) and is meant to support those just starting out in their careers, whether in academia, government, think tanks, NGOs, non-profits, or corporate roles.
First-Gen Researchers
First-generation college graduates or those whose parents do not have four-year degrees can gather to create a space to discuss this aspect of diversity. Join the Community to make new connections, discuss your own perspectives on policy research as a first-generation researcher, and find ways APPAM can continue to support this group.
Housing Researchers
Chair: Martha Galvez
LGBTQ+ Researchers
Co-chair: Ben Harrell
Co-chair: Nathaniel Tran
This Community was created to help better support LGBTQ+ members and increase inclusivity and diversity. Discussions include challenges faced by research on policy issues, challenges faced by LGBTQ+ researchers, policy challenges with the LGBTQ+ community, and more.
Undergraduate Education
This Community is for educators and researchers committed to supporting the development of undergraduate education in public policy and public affairs within APPAM educational institutions.
Women in Economics
This Community is for researchers committed to conducting research on, supporting the development of, and/or advancing professional opportunities for women (cis and trans) and non-binary economists within the APPAM community. This is meant for members at all career stages. This Community will discuss professional concerns, current research, challenges, potential solutions, future APPAM activities, and more.