International Scholar | Expert in Public Management and Policy | Advocate for Smarter Governance | Social Architect

Welcome. I am Pablo Sanabria-Pulido, an international scholar in public management and public policy working at the intersection of governance, leadership, public sector reform, and policy innovation.

I currently serve as Director of the Master’s Program in Government and Public Policy and Professor in the School of Law, Government, and Globalization within the Faculty of Human Sciences at Universidad Icesi in Cali, Colombia, and as an Affiliate Researcher at the School of Government at Universidad de los Andes.

I am also Co-Editor-in-Chief of Public Administration Quarterly, a leading journal committed to advancing the global conversation on public administration and public policy. In addition, I am Book Series Co-Editor of Emerald Studies in Latin American Public Administration and Policy, a new editorial initiative designed to bring together the latest developments in academic research and professional practice in public administration and public policy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

My teaching and research are dedicated to improving the effectiveness of public organizations and to strengthening institutional capacity and regional development, particularly in Latin America. My areas of expertise include public management and policy analysis, policy design and implementation, public sector reform, comparative public administration, organizational behavior, corruption and transparency, multilevel and local governance, digitalization, govtech, public leadership, public sector innovation, and public affairs education.

My research has been recognized by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), the International Comparative Policy Analysis Forum (ICPA), and the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. My work has been published in leading journals such as Public Management Review, Policy and Society, Public Administration Review, Public Integrity, Public Administration and Development, Teaching Public Administration, International Journal of Public Administration, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, and the Journal of Development Studies, among others. I teach courses on public management, policy analysis and implementation, decentralization and local government, public leadership and innovation, and transparency and corruption.

I also serve as Associate Editor of Gestión y Política Pública at CIDE in Mexico, Co-Convenor of the Special Interest Group on Ethics, Anti-corruption and Integrity Management in the Public Sector and Co-Convenor of the Special Interest Group on Public Sector Human Resources at the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM), Member of the NASPAA Policy Issues Committee, and as part of the coordinating committee of the Latin American Network of Subnational Governance (LACSUG).

Through research, teaching, and international collaboration, I seek to contribute to stronger public institutions and better public decision-making in Latin America and beyond.

Versión en español

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Academic Journey

My academic path has been driven by a strong international perspective on public management and policy innovation.

I earned my Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from American University, located in Washington, D.C. At American University’s School of Public Affairs, ranked among the top in the world for public affairs education, I developed a rigorous foundation in policy analysis, public management, governance, and comparative public administration.

Prior to that, I pursued a Master’s in Public Policy at the globally renowned London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), in the United Kingdom. LSE’s multidisciplinary and internationally focused program allowed me to build strong analytical skills in economics, political science, and policymaking, deepening my understanding of global governance challenges.

Earlier in my academic formation, I completed degrees in Economics from two of the leading universities in Colombia:

Universidad de los Andes, where I specialized in economic development and public policy,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where I built a strong quantitative and analytical foundation.

This academic training, enriched by studying in three different educational systems (Latin American, British, and American), shapes my global and comparative approach to research, teaching, and policy advising.

Before joining Universidad Icesi, I was:

Professor and Master Program Advisor of the School of Finance, Economics and Government of Universidad EAFIT in Medellín, Colombia
Associate Professor and Graduate Programs Coordinator at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) – School of Public Administration (USA)
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs at the School of Government of Universidad de los Andes (Colombia)
Affiliate Professor at Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) (Mexico)
Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Organizational Management at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali (Colombia)
Associate Professor, and B.A, in Economics and Public Policy Program Director at Universidad Icesi (Colombia)

However, my professional trajectory prior to entering academia includes experience in public affairs, policy analysis, and consulting across Colombia’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This diverse background has equipped me with a practical, comprehensive, and cross-sectoral perspective on public management and policy, enhancing my ability to analyze complex challenges from multiple angles and to propose evidence-based, feasible solutions.

Research and Impact

My work focuses on strengthening the institutional capacity of public organizations to foster more effective, transparent, and equitable governance, especially across Colombia and Latin America.
My research and teaching areas include:

Public Management and Policy Analysis
Policy Design and Implementation
Public Sector Reform and Innovation
Comparative Public Administration
Organizational Behavior
Corruption, Transparency, and Ethics
Multilevel and Local Governance
Public Affairs and Higher Education in Public Administration

I have led projects for organizations such as the World Bank, UNDP, IBD, and national and subnational governments in Colombia.

My research has been published in top-tier journals like Public Management Review, Policy & Society, Public Administration Review, International Journal of Public Administration, Teaching Public Administration, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, and Journal of Development Studies.

Awards and recognitions include distinctions from:

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM)
International Comparative Policy Analysis Forum (ICPA)
Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis

Professional Affiliations

Currently, I also serve as:

Member, NASPAA Nominating Committee, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
Associate Editor, Gestión y Política Pública (CIDE, Mexico)
Co-Convenor, Special Interest Group in Ethics, Anti-corruption and Integrity Management in the Public Sector, International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM)
Co-Convenor, Special Interest Group in Public Sector Human Resources, International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM)
Inaugural Board Member, Section on Hispanic, Latino, Caribbean, and Iberian Public Administration (SHLACIPA), American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
Member, NASPAA Policy Issues Committee, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

Former roles include:

Associate Editor, International Journal of Public Administration (IJPA)
Associate Editor, Journal of Policy Studies (South Korea)
Editor for International Outreach, Review of Public Personnel Administration (ROPPA)
Executive Committee Member at NASPAA, IRSPM, and INPAE

Beyond Academia

When I’m not immersed in research or teaching, you’ll find me enjoying:

🎶 Rock, salsa, and electronic music
🏐 Volleyball and 🚴‍♂️ cycling
📸 Urban photography, capturing everyday life
🐶 Being the #1 fan of my dog, Jack

Born in Bogotá and “reborn” in Cali — a city I proudly call home — I also cherish my life experiences in Madrid, London, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale, Medellín and Santa Marta.
A lover of cities, mountains, cultures, and coastlines, I find joy in traveling, hiking, and simply reading by the shore.

Let’s Connect!

I’m passionate about building bridges between academia, public service, and the wider community. Whether you’re interested in collaboration, discussion, or simply curious about public management and policy, I’d love to connect:

Pablo Sanabria Pulido, MPP, Ph.D.
Professor | Public Management & Policy Director | Master’s in Government and Public Policy
School of Law, Government and Globalization, Universidad Icesi, Santiago de Cali, Colombia
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Public Administration Quarterly Co-Editor Emerald Studies in Latin American Public Administration and Policy

🌐 www.pablosanabria.org
📧 psanabria@icesi.edu.co
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(ver Bio en español aquí)