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Rethinking Public Administration.

Dhaka University Public Administration International Conference 2026

Organized by the Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka

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03 - 04 October 2026

Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Mode: Hybrid (Offline and Online for international participants only)
Conference About

Rethinking Public Administration in an Era of Global Crisis: Governance and Policy Responses

The Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka, invites scholars, researchers, and students to participate in the Dhaka University Public Administration International Conference 2026, centered on the theme “Rethinking Public Administration in an Era of Global Crisis: Governance and Policy Responses.”

Public administration and democratic governance are undergoing a profound transformation in response to an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed fragility and a lack of adaptive capacity in administrative institutions, requiring the urgency for resilience in governance systems. Contemporary geopolitical conflicts and global power dynamics emphasized the importance of responsive and legitimate state structures to overcome the crisis. At the same time, rapid digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence, along with innovative tools for efficiency and transparency in public services, also exposed unavoidable risks of cybersecurity, misinformation, and digital divides. Additionally, the democratic political system in the contemporary world faces serious challenges with constant democratic backsliding, emerging populism, declining public trust, and political polarization. Democracy requires innovative approaches to overcome such challenges, thereby increasing its legitimacy and ensuring citizens’ meaningful engagement. Environmental crises, such as climate change, have exposed the vulnerabilities of the governance system, which demands a balance among development, sustainability, equity, and global governance. In such complex and uncertain situations, modern states are facing unprecedented pressure, requiring public administration to rethink its role as a service provider. Responding to emerging crises in day-to-day governance is not enough; public governance systems must also build long-term adaptive capacity.

In this context, public administration must adapt to evolving realities and move beyond traditional bureaucratic frameworks to embrace innovation, inclusivity, and resilience. This conference seeks to explore how governance systems respond to these challenges, particularly amid global crises. The conference aims to provide a platform for scholarly debate and dialogue on rethinking governance and policy responses in the era of worldwide uncertainty. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the Dhaka University Public Administration International Conference 2026 aims to generate meaningful dialogue, foster interdisciplinary research, and contribute to the development of innovative, context-sensitive policy solutions to contemporary governance challenges. 

Call for Abstract Conference Schedule Major Themes & Tracks

Conference Theme

Rethinking Public Administration in the Era of Global Crisis: Governance and Policy Response.

Conference Sub-theme:

I.

Governance Reform in Post-Uprising 

  • The post-uprising (e.g., the July movement in Bangladesh, the Gen Z Uprising in Nepal, etc.) has created a rare opportunity to address long-standing governance deficits and institutional weaknesses in Bangladesh by bringing positive change in the governance system. This subtheme focuses on how the reform initiatives will work in a changing context in post-uprising, what challenges they might face in implementing them, how realistic the proposed reforms are, and why the reform initiatives will produce different outcomes this time than previous efforts. 
II.

Bureaucratic Transformation in the Contemporary World 

  • This subtheme highlights the transformation of the bureaucratic system from a traditional structure to a more dynamic one, driven by technological advancements and changes in public service delivery, thereby enabling it to address contemporary problems. It encourages discussion about how the role of bureaucracy is being reconfigured in response to the changing needs and demands of citizens, as well as the challenges, such as resistance to change, capacity gaps, and the need for new skills within the public sector.
III.

Public Policy in the Era of Global Crisis

  • This subtheme focuses on the policy responses to sudden major crises, including public health emergencies and wars. It highlights the policy adaptability and preparedness in those crucial situations. It invites deeper exploration of how the state and its public policies respond to the complex, high-stakes emergencies that test the limits of governance systems and how the public policies are acting or shifting the policy priorities to tackle the disruption caused by the pandemic and political, economic, humanitarian, and security challenges emerging from contemporary war.
IV.

Democracy and Human Rights

  • The subtheme highlights the relationship between the democratic system of government and the protection of human rights in today’s changing global context. It encourages discussions about the challenges democracies face and the most significant factors that may undermine citizens' human rights. It focuses on issues affecting democratic practices and civil liberties. 
V.

Higher Education Governance

  • The subtheme focuses on the structures, policies, and practices that shape the management and performance of universities and tertiary education institutions in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment. It highlights how higher education governance shapes students' knowledge base and equips them to contribute intellectually to the changing global context. It addresses the governance structures, policy frameworks, and institutional dynamics of higher education systems.
VI.

Culture, Religion, and Polarization in Society

  • This subtheme explores the complex role of cultural and religious identities in shaping different opinions and ideologies. It addresses how identity politics, value systems, and ideological divisions contribute to polarization and affect social cohesion, democratic dialogue, and conflict management. It also highlights how cultural and religious identity can shape the policy debate and ultimately influence it.
VII.

Digital Governance and Cyber Security

  • This subtheme focuses on how technological advancement is transforming the patterns of governance and public service delivery, and also raises questions about the risks posed by cyber threats. It highlights both the challenges and opportunities associated with the digitalization of governance or e-governance. It also encourages discussion on cybersecurity and data protection in the age of digitalization, as well as a critical examination of implementation gaps, capacity problems, and digital divides in the context of developing countries.
VIII.

Migration Governance

  • This subtheme focuses on the governance of migration in this interconnected world. It examines the role of government and the policy responses to labor migration, forced displacement, and refugee flows. It also addresses issues of integration, human rights, diaspora management, and the economic and social implications of migration for both origin and destination countries. This subtheme also covers internal migration, international migration, and the push and pull factors associated with them.
IX.

Environment Governance, Climate Change, and Resilience Building

  • This subtheme highlights how the government is working to conserve the environment while supporting development. It focuses on climate change policies, natural resource management, and environmental justice. It also invites discussions on disaster management by emphasising not only the development of short-term adaptability to cope with uncertainties, but also the development of long-term resilience and capabilities.
X.

Inclusive Governance: Gender, Youth, and Marginalized

  • This subtheme focuses on the need for participative governance systems that are equitable and representative of diverse populations. It highlights symbolic participation and barriers to participation faced by women, youth, and marginalized communities, and highlights policy reform that promotes substantive participation, inclusion, empowerment, social justice, and equitable access to resources and decision-making processes for all communities.
Submit Your Work

Submission Guidelines

Abstract

Word Count: 250–300 words

Language: English

Outline: Background, Objective, Methods, and Key Findings

Full Paper

Word Count: 6000–8000 words (incl. references)

Language: English

Reference Style: APA 7th Edition

Tentative Outline: Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Theoretical/Conceptual/Analytical Framework, Findings, Discussion, Conclusion, References

Presentation

  • Slides: 15–20 (maximum)
  • Format: PDF only

Publishing Opportunities

  • Book of Abstracts will be published.
  • Selected papers may be published in a journal or edited book chapters based on the decision of the conference advisory committee.
Submit your abstract
Our Event Speakers

Dr. Mobasser Monem

Dr. Mobasser Monem

Chairman, Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) & Professor, Public Administration, Unviersity of Dhaka

Dr. Quamrul Alam

Dr. Quamrul Alam

Professor, International Business and Strategy, Central Queensland University, Australia

Dr. Fara Azmat

Dr. Fara Azmat

Professor (Sustainability), Deakin Business School, Deakin University Melbourne, Australia
Conference Organizing Committee

Convening Committee

Convenor

  • Dr. Syeda Lasna Kabir

    Chairperson and Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka.

Coordinators

  • Dr. Akram Hossain

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

  • Md. Robiul Islam

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

Members

  • Mohammad Bashir Mia Khadem

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

  • Adila Reza Hasan

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

  • Aaqib Zahid

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

  • Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan

    Assistant Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

  • Md. Amjad Hossain

    Lecturer, Public Administration, University of Dhaka

Advisory Committee

  • Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam

    Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Abdus Salam

    Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane

    Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Mohammad Mainul Islam

    Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Salahuddin M. Aminuzzaman

    Adviser, South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

  • Dr. Habib Zafarullah

    School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Australia

  • Dr. Mohammad Habibur Rahman

    University of Ottawa, Canada

  • Dr. Quamrul Alam

    Central Queensland University, Australia

  • Dr. Abu Elias Sarker

    University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  • Dr. Musleh Uddin Ahmed

    Public Administration, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Aka Firowz Ahmad

    Professor, Public Administration, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Ahmed Shafiqul Huque

    McMaster University, Canada

  • Dr. Ishtiaq Jamil

    University of Bergen, Norway

  • Dr. Noore Alam

    School of Social & Political Sciences , The University of Melbourne, Australia

  • Dr. Sharif Nafe As-Saber

    Vice Chancellor, Stamford University, Bangladesh

  • All Faculty Members of Public Administration

    University of Dhaka.

Fees

Conference Registration

Bachelor's and Master's students (National)

BDT 500

MPhil and PhD Researcher (National)

BDT 1000

Professionals (National)

BDT 1500

International Participants (In-person)

USD 20

International Participants (Online)

Free

The Registration Fee Includes

  •            Access to Conference Sessions
  •       Conference Accessories
  •       Author Certificate
  •       Day 1: Tea Break, Lunch, and Conference Dinner
  •       Day 2: Tea Break 

Conference Venue

  • Department of Public Administration, Social Science Building (Lift-11), University of Dhaka & Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka
Organizing Partners

School of Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, Republic of China

South Asian Network for Public Administration

Dhaka University Public Administration Alumni - Dupaaa

Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre

Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy

Action AID