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.
All events are 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm with a one-hour panel followed by a one-hour networking reception. APPAM members are free; non-members have a $10 registration fee.
Upcoming Events
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The Nation's Nest Egg: Strengthening Social Security's Finances for the Long Term
Thursday, May 14
Co-hosted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
1275 First Street NE, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20002
Join the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and the Association for Public Policy and Management (APPAM) in discussing and analyzing current proposals to strengthen Social Security’s long-term financing with a panel of experts in the field. This event is designed to foster substantive, research-based discussion and help identify gaps in current Social Security policy research that APPAM members might address. We will cover topics such as how Social Security fits into the federal budget outlook, how proposals to strengthen the program can address public priorities, the pros and cons of proposed approaches, and opportunities for bipartisan collaboration. The event will feature experts from CBPP, the National Academy of Social Insurance, the Urban Institute, AARP, and Justice in Aging. Panelists will share their perspectives, answer questions, and help identify any research gaps to fill in the coming years on the issue of solvency. We will also have plenty of time for a spring evening of networking and collaboration on CBPP’s rooftop (weather permitting), with food and drink provided.
Moderator: Rebecca Vallas, National Academy of Social Insurance
Panelist: Joel Eskovitz, AARP
Panelist: Tracey Gronniger, Justice in Aging
Panelist: Kathleen Romig, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Panelist: Jonathan Schwabish, Urban Institute
Cost:
APPAM Members: Free
Non-Members: $10
Save the Date
Monday, June 15
Co-hosted by Indiana University, O'Neill School
1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20002
Tuesday, July 14
Co-hosted by Westat
7501 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814
Tuesday, August 18
Co-hosted by Arnold Ventures
1201 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005
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 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Most Policy on the Rocks events are hosted in the Washington, DC metro area, but we're open to hosting these outside of DC 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.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. The 2026 schedule is currently closed.
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Sponsorship is a great way to connect with 100+ policy researchers and practitioners across the DC 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