The 2016 PMRA Public Management Research
Conference at Aarhus University

We are excited to open the call for proposals for the 2016 Research Conference of the Public Management Research Association (PMRA - pmranet.org). PMRA is a nonprofit academic membership association that furthers research on public organizations and those institutions they interact with, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The PMRA owns the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART - jpart.oxfordjournals.org), one of the field’s premier journals. The Department of Political Science at Aarhus University will host the 2016 Public Management Research Conference (PMRC).

INDIVIDUAL PAPER SUBMISSIONS
We welcome proposals that feature high quality theoretical, qualitative, or quantitative research. Empirical proposals will be evaluated based on the significance and quality of the research question, design, methods, data, and implications. We also welcome theoretical proposals. Theoretical papers ought to provide insight into a compelling public management subject, identify foundational assumptions and key concepts, and result in testable hypotheses.

FULL PANEL SUBMISSIONS
We encourage the submission of complete panels consisting of four individual papers. Panel submissions should bring together complementary papers that tackle compelling research questions or subjects of study in public management. The panel organizer will formally make the submission on behalf of the full panel. The panel organizer will also provide information on the overall theme of the panel and indicate how each of the proposed papers connects to the panel’s theme. Each of the papers in the panel will be evaluated separately on whether the piece meets the criteria for individual paper submissions. Papers may thus be dropped/added to proposed panels.

PRE-CONFERENCE PROPOSALS
The conference will feature a limited number of pre-conference sessions and workshops to be held on 22 June 2016, the first day of the PMRC. These sessions are meant to be very engaged learning opportunities, and we encourage workshop proposals on any topic that has significant potential for advancing public management research and impact. Sessions/workshops will typically be planned as half day or full day.

Proposals for pre-conference sessions and workshops must be submitted via the website. The proposals should not exceed 1000 words in length and must include a: 1) Title, 2) Statement of objectives and scholarly importance, 3) Detail on the length and format of the session, 4) Names and affiliations of session organizers and leaders, 5) Ideal number of participants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All proposals will be evaluated using a double-blind peer review process. Proposals should be no more than 400 words. Participants can choose to submit a paper or a panel. Panel proposals should include a panel title and short description. A person may submit no more than two proposals (including both single-authored and co-authored papers). Individuals will be limited to two acceptances.

The online submission system will open 1 October 2015 at ps.au.dk/pmrc. Proposals must be submitted no later than 1 November 2015. Notifications of proposal acceptance or denial will be sent by 31 January 2016. If a proposal is accepted, the presenter must register for the conference in order to participate.
An international conference committee will serve as advisory board for the conference. The committee includes: Kenneth Meier, Texas A&M, USA; Sandra Groeneveld, Leiden University, NL; Oliver James, Exeter University, UK; Per Lægreid, Bergen University, Norway; Richard Walker, City University of Hong Kong.

Any questions regarding the proposal submission process may be directed to: pmrc2016@ps.au.dk.

We look forward to your submission!
Simon Calmar Andersen, Co-chair
Jens Blom-Hansen, Co-chair
Anne-Mette Kjeldsen, Co-chair