The Department of Public Administration at the Faculty of Philosophy to Host the 34th Annual NISPAcee Conference This May

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” will welcome more than 250 scholars and public governance experts from across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and beyond for the 34th Annual International Conference of NISPAcee – one of the leading international networks in public administration, from 27th to 30th of May 2026 (with a PhD seminar and international conference).

Opening ceremony: 28.05.2026, 9:00 AM, Sofia University, Aula Magna, Rectorate.

Under the theme “Governing Uncertainty: Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Public Administration”, the conference will explore how public governance and democratic institutions respond to geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, climate challenges, disinformation, and declining public trust, with a focus on transformations in governmance, responsible AI for administration, smart cities, cybersecurity, democratic resilience, anti-corruption policies, sustainability, and new forms of public leadership.

Conference host and main coordinator is the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Public Administration, Associate Prof. Albena Taneva.

Keynote speakers:

• Prof. John R. Bartle, Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Dean Emeritus of College of Public Affairs and Community Service, University of Nebraska at Omaha, President of the American Society for Public Administration (APSA) and Member of the American National Academy of Public Administration.
• Prof. Thurid Hustedt, Dean of Hertie School of Governance(Germany), COST COREX Action Chair and Scientific Representative

More information: NISPAcee Annual Conference 2026
Program: https://www.nispa.org/conference/2026/programmefull.php
Contacts: anna.t.ivanova@phls.uni-sofia.bg