Conference on Policy Process Research

The Conference on Policy Process Research (COPPR) mission is to advance the scholarship of policy process theory and methods. It embraces a broad interpretation of theories and methods, supporting a plurality of theoretical perspectives. It welcomes both emergent and established theories and methods and questions of what it means to conduct science and engage with our communities. COPPR seeks to support both established and emerging research communities and build bridges among them. COPPR includes critical assessments of the lessons learned from the past, challenges to contemporary boundaries, proposals for innovative research agendas, and arguments of what our future should be.

COPPR targets seven components of policy process research:

1. Advancing research within policy process theories and methods;
2. Developing connections between different theories and methods;
3. Establishing a critical, constructive, creative, and congenial culture; 
4. Enlarging the network among policy process researchers, particularly among under-represented and minority communities;
5. Mentoring students and early career researchers;
6. Learning from our history and supporting innovative and emergent ideas for our future;
7. Engaging the challenges facing society and developing scholarship that advances human dignity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

COPPR acknowledges that under-represented and minority communities (women, ethnic or racial minorities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, Indigenous peoples, first-generation university students, early career scholars, persons with disabilities, international students, English-as-subsequent-language learners, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and scholars in the Global South) encounter harmful biases in academia.

COPPR aims to address these inequities through the following actions:

• Recruiting a diverse and inclusive Organizing Committee
• Committing to represent diverse authors and voices in COPPR
• Humbly listening to critiques of our practices from under-represented and minority communities to make COPPR structures, processes, and outcomes as equitable as possible.
• Structuring COPPR to support the voices and perspectives of under-represented and minority communities
• Offering travel or conference support to under-represented and minority communities

Mindful of these purposes, COPPR remains dedicated to the continual evaluation, reflection, and innovation in all its endeavors.