Call for Papers: JCPA-Tsinghua University Workshop on Comparative Analysis of Urban Governance and Policy

Date: December 16-17, 2024

Venue: School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Important Dates:

September 27, 2024               Abstract Submission (jcpa_office@tsinghua.edu.cn)

October 11 2024                    Notification of Abstract Review Decision

December 1, 2024                  Full Manuscript Submission

Workshop Theme:

The global future is decidedly urban. As of 2023, more than half of the world's eight billion inhabitants live in cities, and the United Nations expects that figure to reach 70 percent by 2050. Rapid urbanization and demographic shifts pose unique challenges for policy making and implementation in cities due to the high density, mobility, diversity, and polarization. On the one hand, cities in both developed and developing countries are responsible for delivering public services and improving citizens’ quality of life while swiftly responding to citizens’ needs and concerns.

On the other hand, cities can define their own policy agendas and locally tailored policy solutions while nurturing innovative policies and practices that enhance participation, equity, and well-beings of their citizens. It is therefore important to examine the processes and mechanisms of policy making and implementation in an urban setting. It is even more imperative to compare and contrast the intricate dynamics in which local policy processes and outcomes shape and are shaped by diverse urban governance models embedded in distinct historical, cultural, and institutional contexts.

This workshop thus seeks to bridge the disciplinary gap between public policy, public administration, and urban governance. It encourages global academic exchanges on comparative urban policy and governance to create an open, inclusive, and participatory urban environment for equitable and efficient delivery of public services to all citizens. We welcome submissions of papers of comparative analyses related but not limited to the following topics:

• ŸUrban governance models across diverse contexts;
• ŸThe role of technology in enhancing people-centered urban governance;
• ŸCommunity participation and engagement in urban policy making and implementation;
• ŸGovernment responsiveness and local policy processes in urban settings;
• ŸCollaborative governance among bureaucracies with different functions in urban governance;
• ŸKey public policy challenges for equitable and inclusive urban governance;
• ŸChallenges and solutions for urban governance in developing countries.

Submission Guidelines:

The workshop accepts only papers written and presented in English. Only papers with an explicit comparative lens that have not been published or submitted elsewhere will be considered. Please submit an extended abstract (500-700 words) along with a cover page to the workshop organizing committee via the JCPA editorial office at Tsinghua University (jcpa_office@tsinghua.edu.cn). Please note the following submission guidelines:

1) All proposals must adhere to JCPA’s AIMS and SCOPE;

2) The abstract should clearly articulate: research question, theoretical framework and/or development, methodology, expected/preliminary findings, and intellectual contributions;

3) Please include a cover page that includes names, institutional affiliations, mailing addresses, email addresses of all authors, as well as the corresponding author.

IACP Membership Fee:

ŸWorkshop participants are expected to be a member of the Scholarly Society of International Comparative Policy Analysis (ICPA Society) to be involved and receive all benefits. Membership benefits include involvement in special calls for papers, priority to special issues and workshops, networking opportunities with the comparative public policy community, as well as a FREE annual subscription to the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. See ICPA Member Benefits

Additional Benefits and Information:

ŸLocal accommodation of up to three nights will be provided for ONE presenting author of each invited paper.

ŸRefreshments and lunch during the workshop, as well as a welcome dinner, will be provided.

ŸA limited number of travel grants (in the form of round-trip, economy-class flight) will be provided to international participants based on need.

ŸThis research workshop, as a pre-conference event of the 2024 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints, also provides a unique opportunity to foster communication between international policy scholars and practitioners on urban governance and policy innovations. Workshop presenters are invited to join the field trip and main events of the Forum on December 18-19, 2024 (additional hotel accommodation will be provided for those attending the Forum).

Inquiry:

For any question, please direct your inquiry to Ms. Tingting Miao at jcpa_office@tsinghua.edu.cn.