Call for Papers: The Evolution of Policy Sciences: Past, Present and Futures December 17, 2024December 17, 2024 SherleR General The Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis (JCPA) , the Society for Comparative Policy Analysis (SCPA) and the School of Public Administration at the University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, invite submissions for a workshop titled :The Evolution of Policy Sciences: Past, Present and FuturesConvenors: Professor Peter Scholten Venue: University of RotterdamDates: Mid-June (TBA) In 2026, it is precisely 75 years since Lerner and Lasswell published their seminal volume on ‘The policy sciences: recent developments in scope and method’. Since then, the field of policy sciences has evolved significantly in scope, in plurality of methods theoretical frameworks, in internationalization and in terms of institutionalization as a research field. Policy sciences nowadays is a vivid field, with several well-attended annual international conferences, various journals, and a global community of policy scholars. At this workshop and prospective follow up Special Issue in the JCPA we intend to take stock of the current state of the field and create an outlook for the future of the policy sciences. In the past two decades, there have been various publications that introduce and compare different theoretical perspectives in the policy sciences, or bring forward a variety of concepts, methods and applications to which the field has borne fruit. At this workshop we wish to go beyond these theoretical perspectives and shed light on the past, present and futures of policy sciences as an academic field. We deliberately speak of ‘futures’ in plural, as we believe that just like the history of the development of policy sciences, the future will also take various perspectives, ramifications within and across sub-domains, and present various stories. The prospective follow up Special Issue we plan to publish, can be considered as a search for these perspectives and stories on the development of policy sciences in its various aspects. This can involve the development of specific perspectives, models, concepts of methods in policy sciences, or the evolution of policy sciences in specific regions or areas of application. We will also look at the institutional embedding in academic departments and educational programs (which is fairly limited, specifically in comparison to adjacent disciplines such as public administration and political science). For this workshop and potential special issue, we specifically invite contributions that touch upon the following themes:The institutionalization of policy science. Where do policy scientists do their research? For what kinds of audiences?‘Doing’ policy science. What kinds of research designs and methods do policy scientists use? Which trends do they see? What is the role of digital innovations including AI?Perspectives on policy science as a research field. What is the status of policy science as an academic field? How is it related to other integrative research fields and/or convergence science? How does it relate to domain specific fields?The role of policy science in turbulent political times. Speaking truth to power in a post-truth era?The application of policy sciences in specific regions across the world, as well as to specific policy areas.Additional suggestions are more than welcome, please contact Professor Peter Scholten at p.scholten@essb.eur.nl Important Dates: Submission of Abstracts: January 10, 2025Shortlisting Response: February 10, 2025Final Paper Submission: May 1, 2025