I had the pleasure of examining the PhD thesis of Tom Bellens at KU Leuven, titled ‘In and Out the Centre of Executive Power: A Text-as-Data Approach to Belgian Ministerial Advisers and their Careers (1999–2020)‘. The dissertation offers an outstanding analysis of the…
Continue ReadingAppointed Sir Francis Hill Professor of Political Science
I am deeply honoured to have been appointed as the Sir Francis Hill Professor of Political Science at the University of Nottingham. The Chair was previously held by my senior colleague and mentor, Professor Paul Heywood, who shaped the School for over…
Continue ReadingNew Chapter on Civil Service Politicisation in the Western Balkans
Our chapter ‘Civil Service Politicisation and Party Patronage in the Western Balkans: A Way of Life in Public Administration?‘ has been published in the Handbook of Politicization and Political Patronage (edited by B.G. Peters, C. Knox, F. Panizza, C. Ramos Larraburu and K. Staroňová).…
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Our article ‘Performance Rewards and Job Satisfaction in More and Less Developed Countries’ has been published online in Public Administration. With Paola Cantarelli, Kim Sass Mikkelsen and Christian Schuster, we analyse how reward systems shape bureaucrats’ job satisfaction across ten countries.
Continue ReadingCOST Action CoREx Working Group Meetings
The CoREx Working Groups met in Bratislava on 20–21 May 2025 following the constituting meeting in Oslo in April 2024. WG-2 members presented draft datasets and country reports covering 25 countries. Impressive progress toward building a comparative dataset on executive…
Continue ReadingNISPAcee Annual Conference, Bratislava
Panellist at the Closing Round Table on “Public Administration and the Future of Democracy” at the 33rd NISPAcee Conference in Bratislava. The discussion reflected on the role of public administration in preventing democratic backsliding in Europe and beyond.
Continue ReadingNational Survey of Public Servants in Jordan
Presentation of the National Survey of Public Servants in Jordan, conducted with OECD-SIGMA and Jordan’s Service and Public Administration Commission (SPAC). We discussed the survey design and logistics, followed by a presentation of the survey initiative to HR directors from 98…
Continue ReadingReSPA Staff Satisfaction Surveys – Comparative Report Published
Publication of Understanding Public Servants in Western Balkan Administrations: Insights from ReSPA Staff Satisfaction Surveys for Reform and Action (ReSPA Publications). The report summarises findings from surveys in Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina and offers evidence-based recommendations for civil…
Continue ReadingReSPA Country Reports on Staff Satisfaction
Release of four reports on staff satisfaction in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation, Republika Srpska and common institutions). The reports are based on over 20,000 responses and more than 200 institutional reports. Prepared with Adam Harris (UCL) and regional…
Continue ReadingResearch Visits to Nepal and Bangladesh
In January 2025, I visited Kathmandu and Dhaka for our ethical leadership and integrity training projects. In Nepal, I presented the final report to the Inland Revenue Department. In Bangladesh, I met with Bangladesh Police and the Superintendent of Mymensingh…
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