Purpose and objectives

The Public Sector Human Resources Special Interest Group (SIG) seeks to advance the field of study of public sector human resource management by addressing contemporary research, in particular deficits in scholarship and practice. Members publish research that strives for excellence in theory, methods and original contributions to their field of study.

Our SIG provides a collaborative platform for researchers to develop their research, expert knowledge, co-authorship networks, and grant applications. We facilitate round table discussions and debates, within and outside the IRSPM’s annual conferences, to advance study on public sector human resource management.

We also support new and emergent research, especially from early career researchers and doctoral students, by providing a platform for knowledge exchange, debates, constructive feedback, and testing methodologies and ideas.

The SIG, established in 2018, has been provided an excellent series of good quality submissions for each conference, often accepting more than 20 papers and providing opportunity for learning and lively debate.

Key dialogues

We take an expansive interpretation of the theme of public sector HRM, but some of our key areas of interest include:

• Comparative perspectives on HRM in the public sector
• Change trajectories and developments for Public Sector HRM
• The implications and impact of challenges and crises for the management of public sector human resources
• Examination and evaluation of HRM practices in the public sector such as recruitment and selection; equity, diversity, inclusion and representation; career and human resource development; talent management; succession planning and promotion; turnover; leadership; etc.

How to join

Send an email to Professor Karen Johnston