Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe, a senior lecturer in public sector management at the University of Liverpool, discusses his groundbreaking research on street-level bureaucracy. He explores how contextual factors shape the discretion of frontline workers, especially in police and social welfare roles. Rowe highlights the value of interpretive methodologies and ethnographic approaches in understanding decision-making patterns. He also reflects on his unique experiences transitioning from practitioner to researcher, revealing insights into bureaucratic practices in various global contexts.

Mike Rowe, a senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool and expert in public sector management, delves into street-level bureaucracy. He discusses the impact of context on frontline discretion and shares insights from his ethnographic research among social welfare officers and police. Highlighting the limitations of technology, Rowe emphasizes the need for human interpretation. He also explores the complexities of insider-versus-outsider dynamics in fieldwork and the varying forms of bureaucracy across different cultures, all while promoting the importance of immersive training.