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L. Douglas Wilder School brings diverse range of expertise to 2023 ASPA Annual Conference
by Rachel Zeeve
The Wilder School brought together a group of nearly 20 presenters to share their expertise at the recent 2023 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Annual Conference.
Widely regarded as a premier professional development opportunity in the field, the conference offers workshops, research presentations and more. This year's theme, “Protecting Democracy for the Next Generation: The Role and Responsibility of Public Administration,” represented a perfect opportunity for Wilder School faculty and students to showcase their expertise in the equity research space.
Social equity in action: real-world researcher
Wilder School Dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D., moderated a session on “Racial Equity, COVID-19 and Public Policy: The Triple Pandemic.” Co-edited by Elsie Harper-Anderson, Ph.D., and Jay Albanese, Ph.D., this collaborative, interdisciplinary research volume examines how many existing areas of racial inequality in the United States were exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Gooden was joined by Lindsey Evans, Ph.D., Brittany Keegan, Ph.D., Hans Louis-Charles, Ph.D., Christina Mancini, Ph.D., and Blue Wooldridge, Ph.D., for a discussion about the pandemic’s implications for social equity. Doctoral student and staff member Keandra Davis expanded on the pandemic with an evaluation of evictions poverty in the wake of COVID-19.
Equity was a common thread throughout the conference. Among other topics, RaJade Berry-James, Ph.D., senior associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, discussed how underrepresented doctoral students can create support structures.
“For decades now, we have examined the impact of race and justice across policy domains in the field of public administration,” said Berry-James. “Our democracy depends on the ability to envision how the government works for all. At ASPA 2023, Wilder faculty, practitioners and students disseminated our research to address grand challenges and showcase social equity in action! Our voice is our legacy and uplifts our commitment to fairness and justice.”
Anthony Starke, Ph.D., presented on “Advancing Racial Healing, Promoting Social Justice, Reviewing Artifact.” Mona Siddiqui, a doctoral alumna, was joined by Lindsey Evans and Grant Rissler, Ph.D., for a presentation entitled, “Remote Education and Hybrid Work: Social Equity and the New Normal.”
Brie Haupt, Ph.D., highlighted her work in social justice and cultural competence in the Emergency Management and Homeland Security fields. Nakeina Douglas-Glenn, Ph.D., Yali Pang and Curtis Brown, Ph.D., illuminated bipartisan insights about integrating equity into emergency management.
The Wilder School’s representatives covered a diverse range of topics, from environmental sustainability to finance. Doctoral student Laura Herrmann discussed “Resilience Hubs as a Climate Change Resource for Vulnerable Populations.” Wilder School alumus Amidu Kalokoh presented on “Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk: Examining Democratic Governance as a Predictor.”
Intersections of culture and public administration were also examined. Saltanat Liebert Ph.D., explored “The Needs of Immigrants for Integration Services,” while Zehra Sahin Ilkorkor discussed “The Role of Religion on School Climate Perceptions and Student Academic Achievement.”
“I'm thrilled to have received SICA's Jeanne Marie Col Leadership Award. I'm very thankful to have had these opportunities, and it's been a great experience being involved with SICA first as a student, then as a new professional and now as a more experienced researcher. – Brittany Keegan
Brittany Keegan receives prestigious award
Ph.D. alumna Alumna Brittany Keegan, Wilder School director of research promotion and engagement, was selected as the 2023 recipient of the esteemed Section On International And Comparative Administration (SICA) Jeanne-Marie Col Leadership Award. This award is offered to SICA members who are dedicated to furthering an international perspective in the field.
Keegan joined ASPA and received the Gould Scholarship in 2017. Since then, she has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to advancing excellence in public service. “Brittany's work for the Wilder School in this area has made a lasting impact for every individual involved,” said Robyn McDougle, Ph.D., associate dean of research and outreach. “I can't think of a person more deserving of this recognition than Brittany. She won't be outworked, and her intellect and passion for International and Comparative Administration is a massive value added to the Wilder School.”
Keegan’s many contributions include serving as editor of the ASPA newsletter from 2017 to 2019, chair of the ASPA elections committee and head of the Heady Roundtable Committee for the 2023 ASPA conference.
“I'm thrilled to have received SICA's Jeanne Marie Col Leadership Award,” said Keegan. “I'm very thankful to have had these opportunities, and it's been a great experience being involved with SICA first as a student, then as a new professional and now as a more experienced researcher. I really enjoy getting to connect with other faculty members and practitioners from around the world through this role while getting a chance to learn about their work and sharing the work we're doing at the Wilder School.”