Returning to the Long Revolution

Stewart Ranson has made understanding change in public governance the focus of his research: in the 1970s the reorganisation of local authorities from differentiated professional organisation to corporate management; in the 1980s implementing local management enabling schools to respond to public choice; in the 1990s studies of parent participation in school forums and governing bodies forging partnership in place of detachment; beyond 2000, research into new patterns of community governance with schools, colleges and community centres working together to meet local needs. He was Professor of Education at Warwick University (2005-9), the UK, and an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Governance and Public Management in the Business School (2009-2012), the UK. Previously at the University of Birmingham, the UK, he was a researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Local Government Studies for fifteen years before being appointed as Professor of Education in the School of Education (1989-2004). He is now Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick (2009-).