The Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management (ASSADPAM), in collaboration with the Department of Public Administration and Management at the University of the Free State, organised the 2018 ASSADPAM Conference that was held from 26 to 28 September in Bloemfontein.

ASSADPAM’s vision is to develop and sustain a network of institutions committed to the advancement of the discipline of public administration and public management teaching and research. Six staff members of the School for Public Management and Administration at UP attended, namely Prof Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Prof Gerda van Dijk, Dr Michel Tshiyoyo, Dr Richard Mthethwa, Dr Tyanai Masiya and Dr Adrino Mazenda. The conference theme was ‘BACK TO THE FUTURE: Revisiting the discipline of Public Administration and Management for responsive and sustainable development’, and the UP staff presented papers ranging from public sector debt management and ethics to leadership and public participation.

Dr Mazenda also attended the ASSADPAM emerging researchers’ workshop. The aim of this workshop was to nurture a passion for writing and to inspire creativity amongst early-career researchers in public management and administration.

Dr Zwelinzima Ndevu (Stellenbosch University), Dr Tyanai  Masiya (SPMA), Dr Adrino Mazenda (SPMA), Dr Michel Tshiyoyo (SPMA) and Dr Sipho Mokoena (University of Limpopo)