ANZSOG Institute for Governance - University of Canberra

ANZSOG Institute for Governance University of Canberra

INFORMATION

SERVICES

RESEARCH

Institute History

From the establishment in 1969 of a School of Administrative Studies under Roger Wettenhall, the University of Canberra has been viewed as a major centre for excellence in the study of public administration.  Throughout its impressive history it has attracted leading scholars in public administration such as Chris Aulich, Meredith Edwards, Phil Lewis, Jane Marceau, Jenny Stewart, Mark Turner and Roger Wettenhall.  In the four decades following the creation of the School of Administrative Studies, research in public administration has been organised through several centres including the Management and Policy Studies Centre, the Centre for Research in Public Sector Management, and the National Institute for Governance that was founded by Meredith Edwards in 1999.  Through her work as Director, the Institute gained an exceptional reputation for tis research, consultancy and outreach activities in the field of governance.  In short, the international reputation of the University of Canberra in the field of public administration is the product of four decades of passion and commitment to the generation of high quality public sector research and professional development.

The formation of the ANZSOG Institute for Governance at the University of Canberra represents a culmination of recognised synergies between ANZSOG and the University and builds on this oustanding legacy.

National Institute for Governance

Established in April 1999 with Meredith Edwards as inaugural Director from an extensive career as a lecturer, researcher and policy analyst culminating as Deputy Secretary of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.  Under Meredith's leadership the Institute developed a wide range of activities engaging an extensive network in developing better practices in the changing governance and government environment.  In January 2005 Stephen Bartos, former Deputy Secretary of Department of Finance and Administration, became Director until July 2008.  Associate Professors Andrew Clarke and Deborah Blackman served the Institute as acting Directors until the arrival Professor Evans in June 2009 as the inaugural Director of the ANZSOG Institute for Governance.

Some activitiies of the Institute include:

  • 2000: “Public and Private Governance in Australia: Exploring the changing boundaries” conference
  • 2001: “New Players, Partners and Processes: A Public Sector Without Boundaries” conference (with Canadian Univ. of Victoria, School of Administration)
  • 2001: establishment of the Australian Public Policy Research Network providing online exchanges for policy research analysts to promote new approaches to public policy
  • 2002: Development and coordination of successful ARC Linkage Grant  on Corporate Governance in the Public Sector
  • 2003: “Facing the Future: engaging stakeholders and citizens in developing public policy” conference
  • 2003: consultancy assisting the ANAO with its Better Practice Guide for Public Sector Governance
  • 2003: consultancy assisting the New Zealand Government with a Review of Tertiary Education Governance
  • 2004: consultancy assisting the Victorian Department of Education & Training: A Review of the Implementation of the Victorian Government’s Review of University Governance
  • 2005 - 2007:  Coordination of the University Professional Development Program on behalf of the University Chancellors’ Conference
  • 2006: organisation of s study tour for delegates of the China Central Party School for the AusAID China Australia Governance Program (CAGP) to support China in its efforts to improve governance in areas of common interest to both countries.
  • 2006 - 2009: Indigenous Governance series
  • 2006: “Uhrig The Washout from the Review Process” conference
  • 2007: consultancies assisting governance of the Australian Tax Office and Victoria University Education and Research Board
  • 2007: “Talent Management and Organisational Effectiveness” Symposium
  • 2007 - 2008: research for the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations into the failure of Indigenous corporations
  • 2008: consultancy assisting governance of the Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • 2008: Development and coordination of successful ARC Linkage Grant  on Whole of Government

plus regular Twilight/Connections series with partners PWC, MinterEllison Lawyers and the Australian Public Sector Commission.

Centre for Research in Public Sector Management

The Centre for Research in Public Sector Management (CRPSM) was established by the University of Canberra in 1990 during a time of rapid public sector change to address both frontier issues in management and perennial questions of public administration.  Centre Members have a wide range of qualifications in different disciplines including anthropology, economics, law, management, political science, psychology and public administration. Research specialisations cover a number of fields, including: public administration and management; development administration; employment and industrial relations; financial management; human resource management; organisational analysis; public policy; parliament and governance; and information technology in the public sector. This expertise made the Centre into one of the focal points for research and publications on public sector management in Australia.

CRPSM Members were responsible for an enviable record of research and publication, including the Australian Commonwealth Administration series:

  • Howard’s Fourth Government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 2004–07 (2008) edited by Chris Aulich and Roger Wettenhall
  • Howard's Second and Third Governments (2005) edited by Chris Aulich and Roger Wettenhall
  • The Second Keating Government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1993-1996 (1997) edited by Gwynneth Singleton
  • From Hawke to Keating: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1990-1993 (1994) edited by Jenny Stewart
  • Hawke's Third Government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1987-1990 (1992) edited by John Halligan and Roger Wettenhall
  • Australian Commonwealth Administration 1984: Essays in Review (1986) edited by J.R Nethercote, Alexander Kouzmin and Roger Wettenhall