UNC Charlotte Public Policy Students Attend 2024 Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) Conference

UNC Charlotte had a great presence at this year’s 2024 APPAM Fall Research Conference. This conference is comprised of panels, roundtables, posters, student research, workshops, resource sessions and community gatherings.

Congratulations to our students that had an opportunity to present their research.

• Fustel Mwamba Ngalula – Does American Political Views Affect Their Perception on Government Spending for Environmental Protection?
• Mahzabin Fatema Kabir – Evaluating How Latino/a Settlement Destinations and Immigration Enforcement Shape Latino/a Family Head Start Accessibility and Enrollment
• Emily Mikkelsen – Designing Citizenship: How Policy Experiences in Childhood Influence Civic Development and Subsequent Engagement

Many of our students were also invited to participate in panel sessions and we would like to congratulate them on taking part in those:

• Mahzabin Fatema Kabir – Technological Innovations and Economics
• Fustel Mwamba Ngalula – Innovations and Impacts in Vehicle and Energy Policies
• Kingsford Onyino – Social Insurance in Farming and Well Being & Employment Student Research
• Samantha Schuermann – Discrimination and the Role of Political and Social Contexts in K12 Schooling

Here is what some of our students are saying about the APPAM experience:

I served as a poster judge at the 2024 APPAM Conference, and I am honored to have been a part of this event. The conference aims to advance policy research and practice, involving diverse academic, government, and nonprofit sectors. As a judge, I learned from the diverse topics covered, from social equity and healthcare policy to environmental and economic resilience. The conference reminded me of the importance of public policy in bridging the gap between knowledge and action, transforming insights into policies that improve lives and communities. I thank APPAM and the organizing committee for creating a platform for sharing, learning, and collaboration. – Sarah Paul

Because the vast majority of the studies presented were quantitative, I was paying close attention on how to make engaging presentations, so the policymakers “won’t zone out after the first two slides,” as one presenter put it. I have encountered this concern before, and it was expressed again by many presenters and discussants. My main takeaway is: tell the story with the findings rather than presenting dry numbers. I don’t know if any of you had a chance to participate in the Talking Policy in the Queen City conference in 2023, but Professor Michael Bitzer’s presentation “40 years of Deja Vu all over again: redistricting in North Carolina and what 2022 election results portend for the next round”, in my opinion, was a stand out example of data storytelling. Look it up, maybe it is possible to find it on YouTube, the most engaging presentation I have ever witnessed. – Svetlana Masjutina

The 2024 APPAM Fall conference  was an incredible opportunity to represent our great department, but also connect with inspiring individuals from diverse fields, countries and areas of expertise. – Fustel Mwamba Ngalula

The APPAM conference was an excellent environment for our students to come together and learn about emerging public policy issues. PPOL is appreciative of this opportunity.