Ready to serve the public? The role of empathy in public service education programs

ABSTRACT

Public administrators serve the people and implement public policy. However, stories abound that call into question public servants’ ability to represent constituents different from them. Empathy, which is the ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the feelings of another, offers a way to improve these interactions and bring them more in line with expected public service values. In this article, we explore the extent to which empathy is important and plays a role in public service education programs. Using results from a survey conducted in the spring of 2016, we consider faculty perceptions on empathy in public service education and the extent to which public service education programs are incorporating empathy training into their curriculum. Understanding this sheds light on the extent to which empathy is valued and taught in public service education programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Education
• empathy
• public servants
• public service

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mariglynn Edlins

Mariglynn Edlins is an assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Services at the University of Baltimore. Her research is focused on the interactions that occur between individuals and the public servants who implement public policy.

Stephanie Dolamore

Stephanie Dolamore is a research analyst with the Schaefer Center for Public Policy and a doctoral student in the School of International and Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore.