#2025APPAM Fall Research Conference Recap

APPAM members gathered in Seattle, Washington, for the 47th Annual Fall Research Conference:

Forging Collaborations for Transformation and Resilient Policy Solutions from November 13th – 15th, 2025.

Highlights:

  • 2,500+ registered attendees.
  • 450 sessions
  • A Plenary Discussion: The Future of the U.S. Department of Education: Reform, Reinvention, or Retrenchment? with Moderator Erdal Tekin, and panelists: James Kvall, Amy Ellen Schwartz, and Michael Shires.
  • ​A luncheon to honor the 2025 Equity and Inclusion Fellowship recipients featuring Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President and CEO Raphael Bostic, who participated in a moderated conversation with John Martinez, Vice President for Evidence to Practice at MDRC. You can view his talk here.
  • A PhD and Career Fair with 31 participants from higher education, think tanks, and private companies.
  • Three daily wellness sessions featuring a fun run, a HITT workout, and a yoga session.

Schedule at a Glance

Wednesday, November 12

4:00 am – 7:00 pm   Registration
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm   First-Timer Session

Thursday, November 13

6:45 am – 7:45 am   Wellness Session: Fun Run/Walk
7:00 am – 5:00 pm   Registration
8:00 am – 5:00 pm   Exhibit Hall & Headshot Lounge
8:30 am – 5:00 pm   Concurrent Sessions & Communities Gatherings
10:15 am – 11:45 am   PhD Program Directors Meeting
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm   Membership & Awards Lunch
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm   Presidential Address & Awards
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm   Equity & Inclusion Fellowship Meet-Up
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm   Affiliate Receptions

Friday, November 14

7:00 am – 5:00 pm   Registration
7:00 am – 7:30 am   Wellness Session: HIIT
7:30 am – 8:30 am   Institutional Representatives Meeting
8:00 am – 9:45 am   Exhibit Hall Refreshments
8:00 am – 6:30 pm   Exhibit Hall & Headshot Lounge
8:30 am – 5:00 pm   Concurrent Sessions & Community Gatherings
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm   Equity & Inclusion Fellowship Luncheon
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm   Career & PhD Program Fair
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm   Undergraduate & Master’s Student Seminar
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm   Poster Reception
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm   Student Mixer
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm   Speed Mentoring hosted by APPAM
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm   Affiliate Receptions

Saturday, November 15

7:00 am – 7:30 am   Wellness Session: Yoga
8:00 am – 1:30 pm   Registration
8:00 am – 1:30 pm   Exhibit Hall & Headshot Lounge
8:30 am – 5:00 pm   Concurrent Sessions & Community Gatherings
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm   Poster Luncheon

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