Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
APPAM recognizes that the fields of public policy and academic research have traditionally been dominated by voices and faces that rarely reflect the populations they study, or the country in general. Historic, systemic obstacles in these areas have marginalized people from under-resourced communities.
We know we cannot adequately serve our members and achieve our mission without guidance from a variety of perspectives. To that end, our governance and decision-making is infused with an emphasis on social and racial equity and shaped by our diverse committee, policy council, and staff members, as well as our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Initiatives
Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Equity
Racial and ethnic diversity and equity are cornerstones of APPAM membership and our activities. We seek to increase participation in public policy analysis and management education and careers among individuals and communities who have been historically excluded.
Equity & Inclusion Fellowship
Since 2016, we have offered the Equity & Inclusion Fellowship to support graduate and undergraduate students and professionals whose racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in the field. This program has sponsored the participation of almost 400people at our Annual Fall Research Conference, expanding opportunity and sparking lifelong interest in public policy. Learn more.
Public Policy and International Affairs Program
We are proud to be a major sponsor of the Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), a national initiative dedicated to increasing diversity in public service. For more information on PPIA, click here.
Public Policy Camps
Our annual public policy camps are designed to introduce the field of public policy to undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds and connect them with APPAM institutional member graduate public policy and public affairs schools.
Research
We welcome research from every discipline related to public policy analysis and management. We are committed to supporting research examining the impacts of public policy on communities of color, communities that have been historically denied access to equal opportunity, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community. We also believe in fostering intellectual exchange across a variety of normative perspectives to improve research quality for all.
International Perspectives
APPAM members need not be based in the United States, and there are no additional barriers or charges for overseas members. Since 1999, we have integrated international policy and comparative policy and management research in our conference panels.
Interested in serving on APPAM’s Diversity Committee? Please contact Tara Sheehan, Executive Director.