Political Management: exploring the potential and limitations of applying HRM and organisational behaviour concepts to political offices, political advisers and politicians.

This PhD will conduct applied interdisciplinary analysis of Political Management, exploring the potential and limitations of applying HRM and organisational behaviour concepts to political offices, political advisers and politicians.

Campaigns, parties, and governments all need to manage people and resources to get things done but the extent to which politics is, and could be, managed effectively is debatable. Recent media reports and parliamentary inquiries have raised awareness of problematic HR in parliaments and government, with politicians and political staffers/advisers receiving only minimal orientation, training and performance management. This hinders organisational effectiveness and the decisions making as well as impacting negatively on political practitioners’ wellbeing.

Students will undertake applied analysis of the use of management in political organisations with the precise focus decided in discussion with supervisors. They can also draw on inter-disciplinary concepts from management, organisational psychology, public administration and political science, communications, journalism and media.

Potential themes include assessing and improving role description, orientation, training, performance management, and wellbeing. The research could focus on politicians or their staff, and explore government (national, devolved or local government level), party offices or campaign teams. Or it may focus on specific roles such as Chiefs of Staff in prime minister offices, parties and campaigns. In terms of country focus, whilst an in-depth analysis of Scottish or UK politics is welcome, students can also conduct comparative studies of political management in different democratic countries. Applicants are encouraged to get in touch with Jennifer Lees-Marshment to discuss their ideas.

Students will benefit from having Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment as the main supervisor. Professor Lees-Marshment holds a Chair in Political Marketing and Management and has authored/edited 19 books, the last three of which focus on political management. Jennifer’s work integrates and adapts concepts from political science, public administration and management. Her most recent book The Human Resource Management of Political Staffers drew on her interviews with political staff in UK, New Zealand, Australian and Canadian Prime Minister’s offices of Boris Johnson, Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison and Justin Trudeau. Dr. Ameer A. Basit, who is Head of Management & Marketing as well as an expert in HRM, will be the second supervisor. Dr Basit is a Senior Lecturer in Management, focusing in workforce sciences. Ameer’s expertise lies in the dynamics of workforce engagement within organisations, particularly talent acquisition, workforce engagement, motivation, job performance, retention strategies and positive workplace attitudes. His interdisciplinary work integrates insights from computer science, social psychology, human resource management and organisational behaviour.

Depending on the specific focus chosen for the PhD, additional supervisors can also be chosen from the dynamic group of colleagues working on management in political, government and non-profit organisations including government communications, nation branding, social marketing and participatory budgeting in local government and HRM.

Students will get to work in a very supportive research environment. The School of Business at The University of Dundee is supports diverse, applied and impactful research, making it an excellent environment in which to pursue a PhD in Political Management.

For informal enquiries about the project, contact : Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment, jleesmarshment001@dundee.ac.uk.

For general enquiries about the University of Dundee, contact doctoralacademy@dundee.ac.uk

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a UK honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent for non-UK qualifications), and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline. For international qualifications, please see equivalent entry requirements here: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/international/country/.

English language requirement: IELTS (Academic) overall score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 5.5 in reading, listening, speaking and writing). The University of Dundee accepts a variety of equivalent qualifications and alternative ways to demonstrate language proficiency; please see full details of the University’s English language requirements here: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Email Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment, jleesmarshment001@dundee.ac.uk to (1) send a copy of your CV and (2) discuss your potential application and any practicalities (e.g. suitable start date).

Step 2: After discussion with Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment, formal applications can be made via our direct application system. When applying, please follow the instructions below:

Candidates must apply for the PhD in Management & Marketing (4 Year) or PhD in Management (3 Year) using our direct application system: Apply for a Research Degree in the School of Business

Please select the study mode (full-time/part-time) and start date agreed with the lead supervisor.

In the Research Proposal section, please:

– Enter the lead supervisor’s name in the ‘proposed supervisor’ box

– Enter the project title listed at the top of this page in the ‘proposed project title’ box

In the ‘personal statement’ section, please outline your suitability for the project selected.