In Rome, EGPA welcomed a number of Special Panels (SP) and Ad Hoc Groups (AHG) in addition to new and/or redeveloped PSGs. By design AHGs are meant to be an experimental forum for academic teams eager to explore specialized or emerging topics within a limited timeframe. AHGs provide a flexible space to test new ideas, methods, and collaborations. Especially early-career researchers were encouraged to take the lead in proposing AHGs for Rome. SPs were meant to focus their conference sessions dedicated to topics of particular interest, coordinated by one or more Chairpersons. SPs were meant to offer a platform for in-depth dialogue on specific policy or administrative challenges, connecting scholars with shared expertise and vision.
In Rome we had 15 PSGs, 4 AHGs, 8 SPs, the Transatlantic and the Mediterranean Dialogues, and the PhD symposium – or 30 tracks in total.
The question now is how to transform SP and AGH into PSGs. As discussed in two chair meetings and during the SC meeting in Rome, EGPA wants to welcome outstanding AHG and SP initiatives – those demonstrating clear impact, engagement, and sustainability – to evolve into a Permanent Study Group (PSG) in the future, so as to become long-term members of the EGPA community. In Rome we agreed on the following criteria. The same form (see under (4) below) can be used for this and will include these 5 criteria:
There needs to be a sustainable base of researchers participating annually (and beyond) to form a PSG community. SPs and AHGs are asked to offer a list of names and institutions who are envisioned to be or already are members of their community. If it can be shown that these people have also been contacted and have committed, that would be great. Breath and scope in composition of envisioned members would be important. This can be geographical, disciplinary, in terms of diversity, etc.
There needs to be a clear and distinct addition to the EGPA family. This means that topics/themes cannot come (too) close to existing PSGs and should be distinct enough to warrant their own PSG. Ideally, this also includes a vision on how the new PSG would be related to existing PSGs and their topics with ideas on cross-fertilization.
We recommend a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 committed chairs (more is of course possible if there’s a need), who are ready to actively aim for growth and development, in terms of content, members and network. Breath and scope in composition of envisioned co-chairs is also very important here. This can be geographical, disciplinary, in terms of diversity, etc.
There needs to be a multi-year strategic vision for the future of the PSG. Such a vision can encompass a plan for growth and development as well as collaboration with other PSGs in the larger EGPA family (see point 2) and/or a publication/output plan. We invite chairs to think broadly: edited volumes, special journal issues, developing grant proposals, setting up workshops during and outside of EGPAs annual conference, post-/pre-conference interaction and activities with their PSG community such as webinars, informal meetings, authors workshops, paper preparatory meetings to EGPA 2027 and beyond, etc. The vision ideally also includes a clear sense of envisioned thematic development over time, including possibilities for thematic reframing, and even renaming after a certain period of time if necessary.
There needs to be a clear focus on European Public Administration, either solely focused on Europe or by way of comparison with other parts of the world. EGPA operates from the principle that it is good to reach out to other parts of the world, e.g. by inviting keynote speakers, organizing dialogues, and also having non-European chairs and participants alongside European ones, working with IRAS etc. In principle, however, the focus of EGPAs PSGs is European. This means that fully non-European groups/topics/co-chairs do not fit, even though we remain globally open and wish to provide formats of exchange and dialogue.
While we welcome new initiatives, PSG-development must also remain as flexible as possible. A route to become a PSG should therefore include a route to adapt and shape a PSG and offer new groups a chance to try out before finalizing everything immediately. Therefore, we suggest a 2-year aspiring PSG membership before consolidating into a full PSG.
We propose the following procedure:
SPs and AHGs who wish to become an aspiring PSG for two years can formally apply in writing to the EGPA SC with a proposal, considering the previous 5 points (see under (4) below). Proposals will be considered and discussed in a meeting of the task force PSG renewal and will then be presented to the Steering Committee in a general meeting where a decision will be made.
Please send your proposals to egpa-conference@iias-iisa.org, deadline is 29 November 2026.
Accepted new PSGs will get the status of Aspiring PSG. This means they will be considered a PSG for all intents and purposes and after 2 years (e.g. EGPA 2027 and EGPA 2028) the SC and task force will evaluate before continuing as a PSG on a fully permanent basis.