Policy on the Rocks is an event series that brings our community together to connect, network, and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting.
Over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, participants hear from leading experts on today’s most pressing public policy and management challenges. Hosted at the Washington, D.C. metro area offices of APPAM institutional members, Policy on the Rocks was created to foster face-to-face interaction and meaningful networking opportunities.
Upcoming Event
Stay tuned for our next Policy on the Rocks event!
Interested in Hosting?
Why co-host: Policy on the Rocks is a great way to highlight your organization, meet with 100+ attendees, and share information that's of special interest to you & our field. Co-hosts must be institutional members of APPAM and will receive logo recognition and brief welcome remarks in exchange for complimentary meeting space & AV, while showcasing the organization's preferred facilities.
Event Details: Policy on the Rocks is a one-hour panel followed by a one-hour networking reception, typically 5-7 PM. Most Policy on the Rocks events are hosted in the Washington, D.C. metro area, but we're open to hosting these outside of D.C. with the right amount of support & interest. For example, in conjunction with our Annual Fall Research Conference, November 5-7, 2026, in Boston. Below is what we're looking for in an event venue:
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Theater or classroom seating for 100, with room for 5 speakers & projection in the front of the room.
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Adjacent or nearby reception space that can accommodate a bar, buffet tables, and scattered high-top tables.
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On-site AV equipment and tech support - 1 podium mic, five speaker mics, one audience mic, internet, and projection.
How it works: The co-host takes the lead on content, speakers, and meeting space, while APPAM handles promotion, registration, and catering.
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Late January 2026:
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APPAM will select four co-hosts - one per quarter. Co-hosts must be APPAM Institutional members.
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APPAM & the co-host will set a date & reserve meeting space immediately.
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APPAM will publish a save-the-date shortly after.
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12+ weeks prior:
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6+ weeks prior:
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4 weeks prior:
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1 week prior:
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Onsite:
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The co-host will manage the meeting space, AV, and speakers.
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APPAM will manage the registration desk, catering, and attendees.
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Both parties will make brief welcome remarks to kick off the panel.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.
To be considered for a 2026 event, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Sponsorship is a great way to connect with 100+ policy researchers and practitioners across the D.C. metro area. Each Policy on the Rocks event offers up to two sponsorship opportunities: $2,000 each for APPAM institutional members ($2,500 for non-members). Sponsors receive prominent branding, recognition in all event materials, a display table, and the opportunity to personally welcome attendees.
For more information, contact Samantha Oliver Thomason at [email protected].
Previous Events
November 2025: Seattle
Local Governance in a Shifting Political Landscape
Description: Join us for an engaging conversation on how recent political and administrative shifts at the federal and state levels are shaping governance and decision-making at the local level. This event will bring together a panel of experts, including local government scholars, elected officials, and senior administrators from across Washington. Panelists will share their perspectives on how the current administration’s policies are impacting local policy development, public management, and service delivery. The discussion will also explore opportunities for research and the role of evidence-based practices in informing local governance.
Moderator: Jodi Sandfort, UW Evans School Dean
Panelist: Angela Birney, Mayor, Redmond, Washington
Panelist: Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Councilmember, Seattle City Council
Panelist: Christine Rolfes, County Commissioner, Kitsap County, Washington
September 2025
AI in Public Policy
At our second Policy on the Rocks event, we'll explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way research is conducted and public policy decisions are made. The event will bring together policymakers, technology leaders, and academics to discuss the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into public governance. From ethical frameworks and algorithmic transparency to smart infrastructure and data-driven decision-making, discover how AI is reshaping the public sector — and what it means for democracy, equity, and accountability. Stick around for a Q&A with our panel and a networking reception afterwards.
Featured Speakers:
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Zachary Arnold, Senior Director for Programs and General Counsel, Horizon Institute for Public Service
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Denise L. Baer, President and Founder of Strategic Research Concepts, Adjunct Faculty, George Washington University
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Justine Gluck, AI Legislation Fellow, US Legislation Team at the Future of Privacy Forum
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Caroline Jeanmarie, Interim Director of U.S. AI Governance, The Future Society
Moderated by:
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Erdal Tekin, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM) and Fotis Family Distinguished Professor of Health Policy, School of Public Affairs, American University.
May 2025
Where Are We Now? Policy Analysis and Management Under a Trump Administration
Seismic shifts have occurred half a year after the plenary at our Fall Research Conference, where panelists offered their thoughts on the incoming administration's effect on policy, management, and research. For Policy on the Rocks, we've brought back several panelists from our initial discussion and invited new scholars from various backgrounds to share their thoughts on how these changes have reshaped the policy landscape–and what is still yet to come.
Featured Speakers:
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Joan Alker, Executive Director of the Center for Children and Families, Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy
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Don Moynihan, Professor of Public Policy, University of Michigan, Former APPAM President
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Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
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Christina Yancey, Vice President, Workforce Development, American Institutes for Research
Moderated by:
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Ingrid Gould Ellen, Professor of Urban Policy and Planning and Director for Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, New York University, APPAM President