Syracuse Sun

Tina Nabatchi, a professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, recently delivered a keynote address at the Social Outcomes Conference 2024. The event was organized in a hybrid format by the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University.

The conference annually gathers scholars and practitioners worldwide to discuss critical topics and share strategies for building partnerships. This year's theme emphasized collaboration, accountability, transparency, and trust in cross-sector partnerships.

During her speech, Nabatchi differentiated between "clock problems," which are regular and solvable with specific knowledge, and "cloud problems," which are complex and require diverse expertise. She argued that addressing cloud problems necessitates participatory and creative approaches beyond traditional methods.

"Collaboration is no longer optional, it is obligatory," Nabatchi stated. "We must work across our boundaries, whether those are organizational, jurisdictional, sectoral or otherwise, to produce outcomes that make the world a better place."

Nabatchi presented ten principles for collaboration, highlighting the importance of diverse knowledge and participation from multiple actors. She noted these principles enhance accountability, trust, transparency, and social outcomes.

In addition to her role as Joseph A. Strasser Endowed Professor in Public Administration, Nabatchi directs the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration. Her research includes citizen participation and collaborative governance. She is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

This article was written by Michael Kelly.