Research & Discovery

Empirical, conceptual or theoretical research relevant to public administration. Topics might include institutional change, leadership, organisational culture, service delivery, public participation or collaboration.

We welcome different research traditions and approaches. Explain your contribution to existing knowledge and why it matters for public institutions.

Researchers, research institutions and teams across disciplines and sectors can apply, including independent and early-career researchers.

Your work must serve the public good and be relevant to public administration. Collaboration with a public-sector partner is encouraged but not required.

We welcome completed research published within the past three years, work in progress with substantive preliminary findings, and developed conceptual or theoretical contributions grounded in existing research.

Please distinguish preliminary insights from established findings. Planned research alone is insufficient. If your contribution instead presents an ambitious future vision for public administration, Moonshot Ideas may be a better fit.

• Creative Bureaucracy Factor: Fresh perspectives, a contribution to existing knowledge and insights into what enables or prevents change.
• Relevance and Contribution: Meaningful implications for public institutions, with lessons others could learn from.
• Clarity and Rigour: A clear research question, an appropriate approach and conclusions supported by evidence or sound reasoning.
• Reflection: Honest consideration of limitations, assumptions and the stage of the research.

For more, see our Definitions of Creative Bureaucracy, download the free book The Creative Bureaucracy & Its Radical Common Sense, or explore past programme examples.

Submit your entry through our application platform by 11 December 2026. You may submit up to two proposals across the call, in English or German.

Follow the category-specific questions and explain your work in language accessible beyond your discipline. Keep your answers concise; bullet points are welcome.

Our team will review your submission against the category criteria and consider its contribution to the festival programme.

If selected, we will contact you with the next steps and discuss a suitable format for sharing your research.

Prepare to share your central question, approach and key findings or arguments with a mixed audience of practitioners and researchers.

Focus on what your research helps us understand, its implications for practice and the questions that remain open. Our team will agree the format, supporting materials and deadlines with you.

Our programme team will help you develop a contribution suited to the festival audience. Any available travel support will be clarified with selected participants before arrangements are made.

For questions, contact programme@creativebureaucracy.org.