Hi APPAM Members,
It’s been a while since we’ve checked in. We want to start by acknowledging the uncertainty and strain that many of our members are experiencing. Deep cuts to federal grant funding, uncertainty about data access, university pressures, and agency shutdowns and layoffs threaten the work that sustains our community. These changes are happening quickly. We wanted to share some of the things we are doing to support our members during this moment and highlight several new opportunities:
First, we have raised funds to offer some new travel, membership and conference registration grants, which we hope will enable more people, including those affected by cutbacks, to attend the Fall Conference and participate in APPAM activities. We encourage you to apply if you are eligible.
Second, we have several upcoming webinars, including one about the future of research on social equity at universities. Our Student Activities Committee (SAC) has also helped to organize a series of professional development webinars.
Third, we continue to hold monthly Candid Conversations to provide a space for people to get together with fellow members.
Fourth, we are again inviting late-breaking roundtable submissions for the Fall Conference. These roundtables are a great opportunity for discussion and debate about recent policy changes in Washington and around the country.
Finally, to build community beyond the annual conference, we have started a new quarterly series of in-person panel discussions on pressing policy issues with ample time for informal conversations and networking called Policy on the Rocks.
While we hope you find this programming useful, we would love to hear additional ideas. What would help most right now? How can APPAM best support you? Please reach out to Ingrid or Tara—we’d truly value your thoughts.
Highlights & Opportunities
Late-Breaking Round Tables for #2025APPAM: Proposals are due Wednesday, 9/24. These sessions give our community space to address urgent issues and are a unique opportunity to discuss and debate the future of federal, state, and local government and the role of research, evidence, and expertise in that future. Limited slots are available, so we encourage you to submit soon.
Travel, Registration, and Membership Support for #2025APPAM: Thanks to a grant from Ascendium Education Group, we can underwrite participation (including travel!) for up to 10 education or workforce development researchers at #2025APPAM in Seattle. We are also offering assistance for conference registration or APPAM membership for those affected by federal cutbacks, along with continued support through our Student Ambassador Program and Dependent Care Program. We are committed to getting as many researchers as we can to Seattle this year.
Upcoming Webinars/Candid Convos: Join us for five webinars this fall, including:
- Continuing the Work: Studying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Current Moment Navigating Uncertainty in Policy
- Translating Your Research into Action and Advancing Your Career
- How To Speak So People Will Listen
- Better Presentations
- Research Grants and Funding in the US: Trends, Challenges, and the Future
And don’t miss our monthly Candid Conversations—part office hours, part open forum, part community connection. If you haven’t joined yet, now’s the time. The next one is on Wednesday, September 24th.
As for other news, APPAM will begin a strategic planning process to chart the next chapter for our association in early 2026. We’ll be exploring a potential new journal and companion podcast, new digital connection tools for the Communities program, and a website redesign. We will also continue delivering our new Policy on the Rocks quarterly series, our flagship journal, JPAM, and, of course, our annual Fall Research Conference.
We are grateful for this community and the strength it provides, especially during challenging times. Thank you for being part of APPAM, and for making it the vibrant network it is.
Warmly,
Ingrid Ellen, APPAM President
Tara Sheehan, APPAM Executive Director