ENPA Inaugural Conference 2026


Shaping the future of public administration in Europe together


Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania

22–25 April 2026


Welcome to the ENPA Conference 2026 - the first general research conference of Europe's premier member-led learned society for public administration, management, policy, and governance. Independent and self-governed, our non-profit association represents members at all stages of their academic careers and is dedicated to advance research, teaching, and knowledge transfer through cutting-edge research conferences and collaborative events.

Take part

This is your chance to be part of a vibrant and growing academic community which offers exceptional visibility and networking opportunities. Through rigorous scholarship and inclusive dialogue, ENPA bridges academic, theoretical, and practical domains. Whether you are presenting cutting-edge research, expanding your network or building momentum toward publication and/or funding opportunities, join us at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies from April 22 (start of the ENPA Doctoral Seminar) through April 25, 2026.

The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (Academia de Studii Economici, ASE) is the leading institution of higher learning and research in economics and public administration across Romania and the South-East of Europe. Our conference also marks the 30th anniversary of the public management and administration program established in the Department of Administration and Public Management.

The inaugural ENPA Conference 2026 is a launch pad for new ideas and long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations that will drive meaningful change. Here, internationally renowned academics, experienced practitioners and senior policymakers as well as emerging scholars will come together and challenge conventional wisdom by asking critical questions about the future of public administration in Europe.

Here are ten ways in which you will benefit from attending the inaugural ENPA conference:

1) Join one of the 20 established ENPA Research Groups led and organized by leading members of the profession.

2) Contribute to and learn from cutting-edge research in 11 ENPA Thematic Panels and liase with outstanding academics and practitioners on the development of emerging research directions.

3) If you are a doctoral researcher, benefit from the ENPA Doctoral Seminar with in-depth feedback on your paper and interactive group work to develop your peer support network.

4) Meet distinguished international key note speakers at the ENPA Panel during Thursday's plenary session and have the chance to record your reactions to their presentations.

5) Apply your research to real-world discourse and use or initiate collaborate formats to discuss policy current issues, emerging research ideas or grant applications.

6) Liase with representatives of affiliated partner associations and network with global members of the public administration community.

7) As a doctoral researcher, join our innovative "conference buddy scheme" and receive mentoring support from advanced international academics.

8) Use our interactive breaks with "mix and mingle" sessions to make new contacts.

9) Have fun, enjoy the receptions and evening entertainment events and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and vibrant urban life of Bucharest!

10) Become a member of ENPA, so that you will have voting rights in the General Assembly and the opportunity to shape our community - check out our statutes to learn more about our transparent governance system.

  • All submissions for the ENPA Conference 2026 must be made through our conference software Ex Ordo. The platform will guide you through each step of the submission process.

    All conference sessions are scheduled for in-person participation. When submitting your proposal as a presenting author, you are also indicating your willingness to present your contribution on-site in Bucharest.

    Prior to submitting your proposal, please review our lists of Research Groups as well as Thematic Panels, to determine the appropriate track in which to submit your proposal. Please be sure to identify one Research Group or Thematic Panel before submitted your proposal.

    We invite proposals for two conference formats: "Paper presentations" and "collaborative formats". Please tick the appropriate box when submitting your proposal through Ex Ordo. While "paper presentations" refer to classic academic paper sessions, "collaborative formats" may include roundtables, professional development workshops, book review panels, author-meets-critics formats or any other interactive discussion format.  For any ideas about "collaborative formats", please also directly contact the co-chairs of the Research Group you wish to address.

    For both proposal types, please enter the title of your proposal and an abstract into the appropriate text boxes. This information will be included in the conference program, if the proposal is accepted. We recommend that you write the abstract before you log into the submissions hub and "copy and paste" it into the text box. There is a 1,000 word limit for abstracts. Please note that different Research Groups may have different requirements for abstracts.

    A strong paper abstract contains information on the specific topic of your contribution as well as your theoretical approach, methodology, outline of argument and/or preliminary findings if appropriate. Again, please consult any specific requirements and/or expectations for paper proposal as set by your Research Group, Thematic Panel or by the ENPA Doctoral Seminar.

    At this stage, you cannot submit a full paper to the submissions hub. If your proposal is accepted, you will receive instructions during the final submissions stage about how to submit your paper to the co-chairs or co-convenors of your Research Group or Thematic Panel by uploading it to the Ex Ordo submissions hub. By the end of January 2026, you will be notified via email about the status of your submission.

    The ENPA Conference 2026 will be held from Wednesday the 22nd of April (start of ENPA Doctoral Seminar) through Saturday the 25th of April. By submitting your proposal, you agree to be available to participate during any of the conference days.

  • ENPA Research Groups (RGs) study a diverse range of topics in public administration, public policy and public management research. In line with the overall mission of ENPA, we provide a platform for existing research communities to engage with ENPA, and for new research communities to be established. ENPA can provide logistical support including website and conference organisation. RGs will meet at the ENPA annual conference, where there will be panels, workshops and other events for their members. Also, throughout the year, RGs can organize any activities they consider relevant to achieve the goal of building vibrant research communities.

    For more information about each of the 20 Research Groups, click here.

    ENPA will also host a series of innovative Thematic Panels at its Annual Conference. Details of the 11 Thematic Panels accepted for the 2026 conference in Bucharest can be found here.