P07 SIG New Researchers Panel
Panel Chairs
Corresponding chair: Barbara Zyzak, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): barbara.k.zyzak@ntnu.no
Co-Chairs:
- Jessica Sowa, Affiliation: Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration,
- Ines Mergel, Affiliation: Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz,
- Laura Ripoll Gonzalez, Griffith University, Australia
Description of the Panel Topic
The New Researchers Panel (NRP) provides an excellent platform for early-career researchers in public administration and public management—specifically PhD students and researchers in the first three years of their academic careers—to discuss their research and work in progress. Participants benefit from targeted feedback and dialogue with distinguished international scholars in their field, with a focus on refining their manuscripts toward publication.
A highlight of the NRP is the IRSPM Stephen Osborne Prize, awarded to the paper deemed closest to publication standard. Submitted papers are nominated by panel chairs or discussants and assessed by a committee led by the New Researchers Panel Chair. The papers cannot have been submitted to or published by a journal. This prestigious prize honours the legacy of Professor Stephen Osborne, founder of IRSPM and Public Management Review (PMR), and a tireless mentor to countless new researchers.
Beyond paper presentations, the NRP provides enriching activities tailored to new researchers. These include:
- Subject-specific publishing guidance
- Dedicated sessions with editors from leading public administration and management journals
- Career-development advice
- Opportunities to build professional connections across the IRSPM network
The panel welcomes theoretical and empirical research papers—not PhD progress reports—in any area of public administration and public management. Priority will be given to submissions that align closely with the 2027 IRSPM Conference theme:
Polycrisis, Wicked Problems and Grand Challenges: Public Administrations in Search of Safety and Security
Each accepted participant will receive individual feedback from an experienced scholar in the field.
Selection will be based on the evaluation of proposals. Each proposal must include a brief paper outline of no more than 500 words addressing:
- Purpose of the paper
- Intended contribution to the literature
- Methodological approach
- Main findings
Questions about submissions should be directed to Panel Chair Barbara Zyzak at barbara.k.zyzak@ntnu.no
Relevance to Public Management and the Conference Theme
The New Researchers Panel is highly relevant to the IRSPM 2027 Conference because it supports the development of early-career scholars actively engaging with the conference theme and contributing to the evolving discourse in public administration and management.
As a long-standing and integral part of IRSPM, the panel provides a central platform for emerging researchers to share innovative work, connect with peers and senior academics, and play a vital role in shaping the future of the field.