Alasdair S. Roberts

Dec 10

Statement on Human Rights Day 2022

Human Rights Day is December 10, 2022. It marks the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This year, thirty-four scholarly organizations and sections in the field of public administration have endorsed a statement about Human Rights Day.

The statement says: “As scholars and practitioners working in the field of public administration, we mark this day by reaffirming our commitment to human rights and fundamental democratic freedoms. We believe in the inherent dignity of all people and that all people have equal, inalienable rights. These beliefs guide our research, teaching, and engagement in public affairs.”

Download the statement with list of endorsing organizations.

List of endorsing organizations and scholars

Lecture at University of Bonn

I will give a lecture at the University of Bonn on December 13, as part of an interdisciplinary lecture series on “The Modern State” organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Details here. Powerpoint for this presentation here. Watch the presentation here.

Dec 8

Keynote speech at AMEPPA conference

I’ll be a keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Association for Middle Eastern Public Policy and Administration (AMEPPA) in Cairo on December 9. More about the conference here.

Read the background paper for my talk here: A modest case for scholarly nationalis m. And Powerpoint for the presentation.

There is also a brief interchange with Dean Noha El-Mikawy of the AUC School of Global Affairs, on the subject of scholarly decolonization, here.

Nov 24

Discussing “Superstates” on EU Confidential

I spoke with Politico’s Sarah Wheaton about my book Superstates on the EU Confidential podcast for November 24. Listen to the podcast here.

Nov 24

Talk at Queen’s University

I’ll talk about my new book project, The adaptable country, at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University on November 24. The book is under contract with McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Nov 5

Talk at UMass Law

I’m looking forward to talking at UMass Law on November 9, on recent trends in American politics. PPT for this talk here.

Nov 2

Lecture at Bridgewater State University

I’ll talk about my book Superstates at Bridgewater State University’s Democratic Governance and Leadership Program on November 10. PPT for talk here.

Oct 18

IJPA review of Superstates

In the International Journal of Public Administration, Chester A. Newland reviews Superstates. Newland says: “This book is expertly informed, extensively well documented, crafted for interesting study, and importantly useful for professional and popular understanding.” Read the review.

Oct 13

Comment on “America’s First Great Depression”

In a recent commentary, the head of macroeconomic research for Saxo Bank, Chris Dembik, draws lessons from America’s First Great Depression for today’s European energy crisis. Read the commentary.

Oct 11

MassASPA talk on “Superstates”

I’m looking forward to talking about Superstates on October 24 in a virtual book talk sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. Registration details here.