Call for Papers
Public Administration in Asia: The First Quarter of the 21st Century and Beyond
The 2025 Annual Conference of the Asian Association for Public Administration
October 17-19, 2025
School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
The Asian Association for Public Administration (AAPA) is a leading organization in the field of public administration across Asia and the world. Over the past decade, AAPA’s annual conferences have effectively brought together scholars, students, and practitioners to showcase cutting-edge research and share best practices. The School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM) at Tsinghua University is honored to build on this tradition and host the 2025 AAPA Annual Conference from October 17 to 19 in Beijing, China.
Conference Theme
The year 2025 marks a critical juncture for public administration in Asia. Since the beginning of the new century, the field has witnessed remarkable progress. From innovative governance models to advancements in public service delivery, Asian countries have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating complex challenges. Yet, the pursuit of excellence in serving the public is far from over. Asian nations still face evolving social, economic, and environmental issues, all of which demand renewed commitment and the development of novel solutions. The time has come for public administrators in Asia to critically examine the past and forge paths toward a more prosperous future for the region.
To further this aim, the conference will delve into the theme of “Public Administration in Asia: The First Quarter of the 21st Century and Beyond,” sparking dynamic conversations among scholars, researchers, and practitioners from diverse fields. We encourage submissions that reflect on the significant strides made in public administration across Asia, acknowledge the imperfect past and identify key lessons for the future, and explore current and emerging challenges while proposing innovative strategies to address them. We welcome a variety of perspectives and methodological approaches, including theoretical development, practice-oriented observations, and empirical work utilizing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Panel proposals are encouraged.
Conference Tracks
The conference will address a wide range of topics related to public administration in Asia, including but not limited to:
Public service delivery and social policy
Infrastructure, budgeting, and finance
Politics and policy processes
Public sector reform and modernization
Public safety and emergency management
Environmental policy and management
Sustainability in governance and development
Big data, artificial intelligence and digital transformation
Global governance and comparative regional public administration
Public administration education and leadership development
Pre-conference doctoral student writing workshop
(Sponsored by the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis)
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts should be submitted via the online submission system (https://forms.office.com/r/wvbSkNyxuB) by May 31, 2025. The abstract should be no more than 500 words in English and include the following information: author(s) name(s), correspond author, institutional affiliation, mailing address, email address, presentation title, and abstract text. All submissions will undergo an anonymous review process. Authors of accepted abstracts will receive an official acceptance letter by June 30, 2025.
Doctoral students interested in attending the pre-conference writing workshop should refer to the last page for details and submission information.
Important dates
May 31, 2025 |
Abstract submission deadline |
June 30, 2025 |
Author notification of acceptance |
August 31, 2025 |
Early-bird registration deadline |
August 31, 2025 |
Full paper submission deadline for Best Paper Award and pre-conference doctoral student writing workshop |
September 30, 2025 |
Registration deadline |
September 30, 2025 |
Full paper submission deadline |
October 17-19, 2025 |
Main conference |
To ensure inclusion in the conference program, at least one author of each accepted paper must register by September 30, 2025. All conference participants should plan to arrive in Beijing no later than October 17, 2025.
Conference Registration and Venue
To participate in the conference, please register and pay the non-refundable registration fee by September 30, 2025. The fee, outlined in the table below, includes the AAPA annual membership fee and covers a welcome reception and refreshments throughout the conference. Payment for all participants is requested in RMB.
|
Early-bird registration (by August 31, 2025) |
Registration (after August 31, 2025) |
Non-student |
1500 RMB (≈200 USD) |
1900 RMB (≈260 USD) |
Student |
750 RMB (≈100 USD) |
950 RMB (≈130 USD) |
The conference will be held in person at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, in Beijing, China. Further information about the venue, transportation, and accommodation options will be provided soon.
Conference Best Paper Award
The conference will present a Best Paper Award to recognize outstanding research. A committee of leading scholars will evaluate all submitted papers and select the winner(s). To be considered for this award, please submit your full manuscript by August 31, 2025, and indicate your interest in being considered during the submission process. The recipient(s) will be required to register and present their paper at the conference.
Featured Journals
The conference is fully supported by the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, a prominent academic journal hosted by SPPM. Furthermore, the conference benefits significantly from its collaboration with two other distinguished journals: the Asian Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Asian Public Policy. These esteemed publications provide a valuable platform for disseminating innovative research presented at the conference, ensuring that participants’ contributions reach a wide and engaged audience.
Contact
AAPA 2025 Annual Conference Organizing Committee
Email: aapa2025sppm@outlook.com
Phone: +86-10-62795912
Pre-Conference Doctoral Student Writing Workshop
In collaboration with the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice (JCPA), the School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM) at Tsinghua University is pleased to offer a pre-conference doctoral student writing workshop at the 2025 AAPA Annual Conference.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop will include 12-18 paper presentations. Each presenter will receive dedicated feedback and commentary from a mentor selected from the JCPA editorial board. Selected participants will also receive an in-kind travel grant to cover up to three nights of hotel accommodation.
Submission Guidelines:
To be considered for the workshop, please complete the following:
Submit your abstract through the conference’s online submission system: Ensure your abstract follows the general conference abstract submission guidelines (see page 2), and choose the “Pre-conference doctoral student writing workshop” track. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by June 30, 2025. Shortlisted candidates must then submit their full manuscripts by August 31, 2025.
Submit the following information, combined into one document, to the JCPA-Tsinghua Editorial Office (jcpa_office@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn) by May 31, 2025:
An extended abstract of 400-500 words detailing the research question, theoretical framework, methodology, and key findings.
The cover page including your name, institutional affiliation, program (with year of enrollment and expected date of graduation), mailing address, email address, plus the name and email address of your recommender.
A recommendation letter from your advisor or unit head addressed to the conference organizing committee, stating: 1) reasons why your paper merits consideration, and 2) affirmation that your institution will cover round-trip transportation between your origin city and Beijing if your paper is selected. This letter is your responsibility and must be submitted with your application.
Eligibility
Doctoral candidates currently enrolled in a public policy/public administration/public affairs program or a relevant discipline at the time of submission, and are expected to graduate by August 31, 2026.
Priority will be given to doctoral students enrolled in an institutional member of the Society for International Comparative Policy Analysis.
At the time of submission, papers must not have been previously published or accepted for publication, and the student must be the first author.
