The status of public administration teaching in the UK

• Published in: Journal of public affairs education : J-PAE. Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Elliott, Ian C., Bottom, Karin A., O'Connor, Karl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Routledge 03.07.2023; National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Subjects: College Administration; Public administration; Teaching
• ISSN: 1523-6803; 2328-9643
• DOI: 10.1080/15236803.2023.2202609

Elliott et al discuss the status of public administration teaching in the UK. The teaching of public administration in the UK could be described as at best muitifaceted or fragmented. It suffers from a combination of disinterest from practitioner organizations, disregard from universities and disaffection from many academics. Whilst public administration research flourishes in terms of funding, publications and all-important impact, the teaching of public administration remains something of a poor cousin. A reading of the British public administration literature confirms that this status is not new but is a longstanding source of frustration for those who believe it warrants greater attention. Yet there are many reasons to celebrate the muitifaceted nature of teaching public administration--not least of which is the continued presence and strength of the UK Joint University Council for Social and Public Administration (the JUC).