Master and Apprentice or Difference and Complementarity? Local Government Practitioners, Doctoral Studies and Co-produced Research

Abstract

In their search for innovative policy solutions to complex social problematics, local governance practitioners will look to synergising specific policy guidance from government departments with conceptual scientific research outputs. UK academics are also now expected to emphasise the relevance of their research and to increase its utilisation by practitioners. Away from utilitarian pressures, academics from applied discipline, such as Public Administration and Local Government Studies are increasingly drawn to the benefits of co-produced research. Despite the pressure for more co-research there are few opportunities for practitioners and academics to nurture relationships that would support close collaboration. This paper looks at the opportunity for closer collaboration when practitioners undertake research degrees, in order to enhance their cognitive skills and develop greater scientific knowledge of particular policy domains. If this route to closer collaboration is to succeed, it will require academics to think differently about their relationship with practitioner-students.

Key Words:

• Local governance practitioner
• co-research
• doctoral research

Notes

1. Historically the study of the processes or activities of administering to public affairs was known as Public Administration (Rhodes 1996), however developments in academic knowledge have created several new sub-specialisms; Public Policy, Public Management and Governance for example, which cut across specific fields, such as Local Government Studies, health studies, or education. For ease we refer to Public Administration and Local Government Studies throughout the paper.

2. In addition to professional specific doctorates, such as in Social Care or Public Health, some universities have developed generic professional doctorates specifically for public service managers, including local government practitioners. Examples include a Doctorate in Public Leadership (Glamorgan); Nottingham offers Doctorates in Public Policy, plus a complementary Public Management pathway; Leeds also offers a Doctorate in Public Management.