SPA Students Share Research and Practice at Leading Professional Conferences

This year, the School will support more than 20 students presenting their work at four major professional conferences: the ASC Annual Meeting, the Western Society of Criminology Conference, the ASPA National Conference, and the APA California Conference. This level of student participation reflects both the strength of student scholarship and the School’s commitment to experiential learning, mentorship, and professional development.

Attending and presenting at professional conferences allows students to deepen their knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging directly with current research, emerging policy debates, and innovative practices in their fields. Through conference sessions and scholarly exchange, students gain exposure to new theoretical frameworks, research methods, and applied approaches, broadening their understanding of complex social, organizational, and governance challenges. These experiences help students connect academic learning to real-world issues while strengthening critical thinking skills.

For students who present their work, conferences provide an invaluable opportunity to develop advanced research and communication abilities. Preparing a paper or poster requires students to synthesize evidence, refine arguments, and communicate findings clearly to a professional audience. During presentations, students respond to questions and feedback from scholars and practitioners, building confidence and sharpening their ability to engage in constructive dialogue. These skills are essential for success in graduate study, public service, nonprofit leadership, and research-oriented careers.

Many of these conference presentations result from close collaboration between students and faculty mentors. Working together on research design, analysis, and presentation development strengthens student–faculty relationships and models high standards of scholarly rigor and ethical practice. Faculty mentorship plays a critical role in helping students navigate professional spaces and present their work with confidence.

By supporting student participation in these conferences, the School invests directly in students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities while elevating the visibility and impact of student scholarship. We congratulate our student presenters and look forward to the continued contributions they will make within the School, their professions, and the broader community.