About NU GSPP conference

NU GSPP Conference is an annual event that is aimed to provide attendees of academic and professional political communities with quality educational and networking opportunities focused on a various areas of public policy and public administration. It is a communication platform designed for academics, young scholars, practitioners and researchers.

“Navigating the Complexity of Policymaking: Challenges and Opportunities”
October 17–18, 2025 | Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan | Hybrid Format

The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) at Nazarbayev University is honored to host the 9th International GSPP Conference on October 17–18, 2025. The event will take place in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation. The conference will serve as a vibrant platform for scholars, practitioners, and policy experts to explore the complexities of policymaking in today’s dynamic and interconnected world.

This year’s theme, “Navigating the Complexity of Policymaking: Challenges and Opportunities,” aims to examine key questions around governance, sustainability, and innovation in the face of growing policy challenges. Participants will engage in two days of panel sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

Conference Structure
Day 1 – October 17, 2025
The first day will begin with a keynote address, followed by panel sessions on the main themes of the conference.The day will conclude with an optional gala dinner from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Participation in the dinner requires separate registration and a fee of ₸25,000.

Day 2 – October 18, 2025
The second day will be dedicated to skill-building and collaborative learning. It will include a PhD workshop on research methodologies, specialized training sessions in public policy, and thematic roundtable discussions designed to foster deeper connections among participants.

Conference Themes
The 2025 conference will explore the following core themes:

Network Approaches to Complexity: Exploring how interconnected policy systems can be effectively governed.

Multi-Level and Network Governance: Addressing the coordination of policy across institutional levels.

Rising Complexity, Wickedness, and Policy Failures: Understanding policy responses to persistent and ambiguous problems.

Sustainability and Policy Responses: Investigating how policy can support long-term sustainable development.

Call for Papers
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts by August 9, 2025. Abstracts should be no longer than 150 words. Participants who wish to be considered for inclusion in the conference proceedings may optionally submit an extended abstract (500–1000 words) by September 3, 2025. All submissions will be accepted via gsppconference@nu.edu.kz. Notification of acceptance will be sent in mid-August 2025, and final paper submissions (optional) are due two weeks prior to the event.

Know more about past NU GSPP Conferences: