May 6-7, 2027
Keller Center at the University of Chicago – Chicago, IL
Deadline for Proposals is January 30, 2027
The Center for Municipal Finance at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy invites paper proposals for a miniconference examining the politics, institutions, and administration of public finance.
Public finance is shaped not only by economic considerations, but also by the political institutions, administrative structures, and governance arrangements through which fiscal decisions are made and implemented. This conference will bring together scholars from across disciplines to explore how these forces influence the raising, allocation, management, and oversight of public resources.
We welcome theoretical and empirical research addressing public finance at any level of government and in any country. Topics of particular interest include:
- Political incentives and institutions in taxation, spending, and borrowing
- Fiscal federalism and intergovernmental fiscal relationships
- Bureaucratic capacity, tax administration, and public financial management
- Budget institutions, fiscal rules, and political accountability
- The political economy of public debt, pensions, and long-term fiscal commitments
- Transparency, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight
- The design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies and programs
These topics are illustrative rather than exhaustive. We encourage submissions from scholars in economics, political science, public administration, sociology, law, and related disciplines, and especially welcome work that bridges disciplinary perspectives.
The conference will emphasize substantive discussion and constructive feedback. Each selected paper will receive approximately 30 minutes for presentation, followed by formal discussant comments and audience discussion.
Keynote speaker and topic to be announced.
Proposals should include a paper title and abstract. Completed papers or extended abstracts are encouraged, particularly for work sufficiently developed to benefit from detailed discussion.
Please send proposals to Justin Marlowe at jmarlowe@uchicago.edu by January 30, 2027. Presenters will be notified by February 15, 2027.
There is no registration fee. Participants are asked to register by April 15, 2027, to facilitate conference planning, including receptions and other events.
This conference is the twelfth in an annual series of spring conferences hosted by a rotating series of institutions that includes Georgia State University, University of Georgia, Indiana University, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and Wichita State University.