For Immediate Release
May 17, 2017
Contact:
Karen E. T. Garrett
Chief of Communications & Marketing
(202) 585-4313

2017 International Young Scholars Workshop Advances Evidence Based Public Policy Research


Washington, D.C. – The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) is pleased to announce the 22 doctoral students and new professors it has selected to attend the 2017 International Young Scholars Workshop in Chennai, India on July 11-15. Their research and participation will focus on the theme of “Advancing Public Sector Solutions in an Era of Change and Strengthening the Commitment of Evidence Based Research in Public Policy and Administration.”

This year’s Workshop will be hosted by the Kothai Arumugam Charity Foundation, which was founded in 2014 and focuses on bridging the gap between accessibility and affordability in education for the needy. Since its founding, the foundation has enabled primary school and college education for nearly 100 children.

“These doctoral students and new professors are dedicated to rigorous public administration research,” said 2017-2018 ASPA President Janice Lachance, lead advisor for the workshop. “We’re bringing these academicians to Chennai to expose them to their peers’ research as they examine evidence based research around the globe. This experience will provide them with the opportunity to broaden their networks and elevate public administration scholarship, adding to the genius that already exists within ASPA’s membership.”

The members of the 2017 class of Young Scholars are:
  • Elijah Agyapong, New Assistant Professor, Regent University
  • Neomi Aviram, Ph.D. Student, University of Haifa
  • Pallavi Awasthi, Ph.D. Student, Florida International University
  • Kinjalben Chaudhari, Ph.D. Student, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
  • Sombo Muzata Chunda, Ph.D. Student, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Vivian Gonzalez Cueto, Ph.D. Student, Florida International University
  • Suparna Dutta, Ph.D. Student, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Darrell Garth, Ph.D. Student, Walden University
  • Amy Harris, Ph.D. Student, University of Washington
  • Brittany Haupt, Ph.D. Student, University of Central Florida
  • Vaiva Kalesnikaitė, Ph.D. Student, Florida International University
  • Brittany Keegan, Ph.D. Student, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Sirisak Laochankham, Ph.D. Student, Portland State University
  • Zhavit Levitats, Ph.D. Student, University of Haifa
  • Bhayani Mukeshbhai, Ph.D. Student, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
  • Pooja Paswan, New Assistant Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia
  • Cimone Philpotts, Ph.D. Student, University of Delaware
  • Christa Remington, Ph.D. Student, Florida International University
  • Jeisson Rodriguez, Ph.D. Student, Florida International University
  • Anabel Salinas, New Research Professional, Portland State University
  • Kelechi Uzochukwu, New Assistant Professor, University of Baltimore
  • Teshanee Williams, Ph.D. Student, North Carolina State University
Senior Scholars accompanying the group are Maria Aristigueta (University of Delaware), Robert Dudley (George Mason University), Susan Gooden (Virginia Commonwealth University), Jane Pisano (University of Southern California) and Allan Rosenbaum (Florida International University). Also in attendance will be ASPA president Janice Lachance, executive director William Shields, and organizing committee members Anbu Arumugam (Annamalai University), Andrea Headley (Florida International University) and Angela Kline (University of Delaware).

The Kothai Arumugam Charity Foundation is in the process of selecting young and senior scholars from India to participate in the 2017 Workshop, as well as identifying local Indian groups and public administrators with which the scholars will meet to provide a well-rounded experience.

“This is a dynamic program to train these select scholars, all of whom are coming from varied backgrounds, and expose them to the developing world and the study of public administration here in the sub-continent,” described Arumugam. “It's quite different here—not so theoretical—and the scholars will get to meet a variety of individuals who are all making an impact in the discipline.”

“Each Young Scholars class conducts remarkable research that goes on to have a considerable impact within public administration,” Lachance said. “I am looking forward to watching how their research and experience on the ground in India changes our understanding of public administration around the world, increases our Society’s reach and enhances the knowledge base that is already so dominant within our ranks.”

###

About the American Society for Public Administration:
ASPA is the leading interdisciplinary public service organization that advances the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. Learn more at www.aspanet.org.