Bridging the Gap: An Examination of
PA Theory in the EMPA
Kevin Campbell
Advisors: Shinn & Cooper
Overview
• Background
• The Literature
• Research Questions & Methods
• A Sample of Data
• Recommendations
• Theory, Practice, and Leadership
• Acknowledgements
• Why this topic?
• A disciplinary dilemma
• An institutional challenge
• A Personal question
• Why Now?
• The opportunity for reflective practice
Learning from the Literature
• EMPA syllabi, competencies, reports
• PA theory (PAR75)
• PA meta-theory
• Empirical studies of the discipline
• PA education
Research Questions & Methods
• Questions
• Do the EMPA competencies and curriculum align with
PA theory?
• What is the nature of the student encounter with PA
theory in the program?
Methods
• Qualitative Content Analysis
• PAR75
• EMPA program documents
• Comparison and relational analysis
• EMPA   PA Theory
EMPA Topical Focus in Comparison
Based on Gibson and Deadrick, 2010
As a percentage of total
Academic
Practitioner
EMPA
Political/Social/Cultural Context
Information technology
(including e-government)
Leadership
Interpretations & Recommendations
• Interpretations
• A slight theoretical bias in a few topical areas
• Not consistent across all topical areas
• Recommendations
• Use PA theory to enhance practice
• Foster identity as PA practitioners
Theory, Practice, and Leadership
• A core and continuing leadership challenge for me
• A core intellectual question
• A developmental perspective
• The value of this program
• The value of the work we’ve done together
With Thanks to…