From Denver to Bern: SPA Continues Its Leadership in Policy Process Research
Laura McHugh | University Communications Jan 13, 2026
Current students, faculty, and alumni of the School of Public Affairs (SPA) will take part in the 2026 Conference on Policy Process Research (COPPR), held January 21–23, 2026, at the University of Bern in Switzerland. A pre-conference workshop for early-career researchers will be held on January 20 and will be co-led by SPA.
COPPR has become a global hub for scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing the understanding of policy processes. This year’s conference, hosted by the University of Bern, will provide a vibrant environment for collaboration and exchange.
A Legacy of Leadership
COPPR’s roots trace back to January 2023, when SPA’s Center for Policy and Democracy (CPD) hosted the inaugural COPPR on the Auraria Campus. Professor Tanya Heikkila and Chris Weible, SPA Interim Dean, serve as co-directors of CPD. That event marked a historic moment in policy studies, drawing an international community of scholars focused on advancing policy process theories and methods.
“COPPR was a historic event in the field of policy studies. Never before has a conference attracted this global community of scholars focused on advancing policy process theories and methods,” said Weible in 2023. “The enthusiasm around COPPR in Denver set in motion its continuation into the future.”
COPPR continued its legacy in 2024 when it was hosted at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University by Saba Siddik, Professor and Director of the MPA. Program and SPA alum. This year marks the first COPPR in Europe and is a testament to the growing international community of policy process scholars.
Student Engagement and Access
SPA doctoral student Allegra Fullerton, a co-organizer of the conference, highlighted COPPR’s commitment to accessibility:
“Attending conferences is critical for doctoral students to receive feedback on their work and network with others in the field. By offering free student registration, COPPR provides opportunities for students to present their work to diverse, knowledgeable audiences and meet scholars from across the globe.”
That spirit of inclusion continues in 2026 through the COPPR Student Network, which offers graduate students a supportive forum to share ideas, receive feedback, and connect with peers. Many doctoral students and early career researchers will attend COPPR to share their work.
SPA at COPPR 2026
Students, alumni, and faculty from the School of Public Affairs will play an active role at COPPR 2026, presenting research and leading discussions across panels and workshops. Access the full program for the most up-to-date schedule. Highlights include:
Pre-Conference Workshop (Jan. 20):
Modeling Coalitions co-led by Allegra Fullerton and Chris Weible.
Panels and Presentations:
- Advocacy Coalitions: Anna Crawford and Allegra Fullerton presenting dissertation work; Chris Weible and Alex Osei-Kojo participating on ACF roundtable, and Nico Punkar and Katie Imhoff presenting coalition research.
- Narrative Crisis and Disasters: Nathan Jeschke (alum), Deserai Anderson, and Betsy Smith on post-disaster narratives.
- NPF Workshops: Betsy Smith on nuclear energy imagery; Anna Crawford, Sheila Huss, and Rebecca Chrisman on Abortion narratives, Allegra Fullerton and Joey Van Matre on Deep Stories; Deserai Anderson as discussant.
- Policy Learning: Tanya Heikkila chairing.
- Social Construction Framework: Hope Yohn, Anna Crawford, Emma Scheetz, and Kristin Olofsson on critical approaches and food policy intersections and Hope Yohn presenting dissertation work
- Emotions and Public Policy: Allegra Fullerton & Chris Weible on emotions and public policy roundtable
- Additional Contributions: Paul Teske, Kayla Gabehart, David Carter, Courtney Leapley, and others presenting on topics from wolf reintroduction to criminal justice reform.
SPA’s presence spans over 20 panels and roundtables, showcasing cutting-edge research on advocacy coalitions, narrative policy frameworks, policy learning, and social construction.
Global Collaboration
COPPR 2026 is sponsored by leading institutions and organizations, including:
- Institute of Political Science, University of Bern
- Competence Center for Public Management, University of Bern
- Center for Policy and Democracy, University of Colorado Denver
- Eawag, Swiss Center for Aquatic Research
- Institute for Public Policy Research & Analysis, University of Oklahoma
- Policy Studies Journal
- Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis
- Bristol University Press
- European Policy Analysis
- Review of Policy Research
- Edward Elgar
- Palgrave Macmillan
Partner journals include Policy Studies Journal, Swiss Review for Political Science, Policy and Politics, Evidence and Policy, Policy Sciences, and others. COPPR would not be possible without the incredible leadership of Karin Ingold, Caroline Schlaufer, Fritz Sager, and the University of Bern team.
Looking Ahead
COPPR 2026 promises to continue building bridges among scholars and practitioners worldwide. The School of Public Affairs is proud to be part of this vibrant exchange of ideas and research.