Osborne will lead the nation’s premier public policy research association, shaping its 2026 Fall Research Conference and advancing excellence in policy analysis and management
Dr. Cynthia Osborne, professor of early childhood education and policy at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, and executive director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, has been elected president-elect of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), one of the nation’s premiere professional associations for public policy research.
Her deep experience in early childhood policy and commitment to rigorous evidence have shaped her career and will guide her leadership at APPAM. At Vanderbilt, Osborne directs the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, which helps states implement policies that support healthy child development from the start; a perspective that aligns closely with APPAM’s mission to advance excellence in research, analysis, and education.
APPAM represents more than 3,400 individual members and 100 institutions, including leading policy schools and research organizations. Its flagship annual Fall Research Conference draws approximately 2,500 attendees from across disciplines and is widely regarded as the premier gathering for public policy scholars and practitioners.
As president-elect, Osborne will play a pivotal role in shaping the Fall Research Conference. She will chair the Program Committee, select the theme for the 2026 conference, and appoint roughly 50 experts to review proposals and design sessions. These committee members are chosen for their expertise in key policy areas, and Osborne’s leadership will influence the research topics and conversations that define the field. She will also serve on APPAM’s Executive Committee and Policy Council, helping guide the association’s strategic direction. Following her term as president-elect, Osborne will become APPAM president, providing overall leadership and serving as the association’s chief spokesperson.
Osborne joined Vanderbilt in 2022 after more than 16 years at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, where she served as associate dean for academic strategies. She holds a Ph.D. in demography and public affairs from Princeton University, an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and an MA in education from Claremont Graduate University.
About APPAM
The Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) is dedicated to improving public policy and management through research, analysis, and education. APPAM convenes the field through its flagship annual research conference, publishes the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM), and supports professional development for academics, practitioners, and students.
About Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University is a globally recognized research institution committed to excellence in education, discovery, and service.
About Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center
The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center is a nonpartisan research center at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development that provides state leaders with clear, evidence-based policy solutions to improve the lives of young children and their families. For more information, visit pn3policy.org.
Press Contact
Sydne Lewis, 615-343-9946, sydne.lewis@vanderbilt.edu
