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Rachel Ashworth

Professor Rachel Ashworth

Teams and roles for Rachel Ashworth

Overview

Rachel served as Dean and Head of Cardiff Business School for six years until September 2024 and is a Professor in Public Services Management. Her research can be viewed in relation to four key themes: organizational and institutional change in the public sector; scrutiny and accountability in public services, equality and diversity in public services and public service performance.

She has published in journals including Journal of Public Administration, Research and Theory, Journal of Management Studies, British Journal of Management, Public Administration, Policy and Politics and Public Management Review. She recently co-edited 'Theorising Contemporary Public Management Research: International and Comparative Perspectives', a special issue of the British Journal of Management and also co-edited 'Public Service Improvement: Theories and Evidence'  (Oxford University Press, 2010).

Publication

2026

2024

2023

2019

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

Articles

Book sections

Books

Conferences

Monographs

Research

Research interests

  • Public service scrutiny and accountability
  • Institutional change in the public sector
  • Equality and diversity in public services
  • Public service performance

PhD supervision research interests

  • Accountability in the public sector
  • Application of institutional theory to public services
  • Institutional and organizational change in the public sector
  • Performance improvement in the public sector
  • Public service professions

Research projects

  • Developing a Culture of Collaborative Scrutiny: An Evaluation of Practice and Potential (funded by Welsh Government)
  • Policing the constabulary: Will elected police and crime commissioners clarify or confuse public service accountability? (funded by Cardiff University)

Teaching

Teaching commitments

  • BSc Business Management Year 1: Business Environment
  • BSc Business Management Year 3: Management and Public Policy in the EU

Additional teaching

Rachel is external examiner for public management PG programmes at Warwick Business School.

Biography

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) Public Administration (Glamorgan) 1992
  • PhD (Cardiff) 2000 'Promises Versus Performance: An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Election Manifesto Pledges and Local Government Policy-Making'

Professional memberships

  • She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
  • She is a member of the Welsh Government Public Service Scrutiny Reference Group
  • She is an academic member of the CIPD

News articles

Dr Jane Haider was named a finalist in the Co-creation and Participative Leadership Award category.

Cardiff Business School recognised at Celebrating Excellence Awards 2025

29 May 2026

Dr Jane Haider was named a finalist in the Co-creation and Participative Leadership Award category.

As Professor Rachel Ashworth concludes her tenure as Dean and Head of Cardiff Business School, we reflect on her impactful six years of leadership in this Q&A.

Professor Rachel Ashworth reflects on her tenure as Cardiff Business School’s Dean

16 September 2024

As Professor Rachel Ashworth concludes her tenure as Dean and Head of Cardiff Business School, we reflect on her impactful six years of leadership in this Q&A.

The newly launched Aberconway Student Community Hub is a vibrant space designed to enhance both the study and social experience for students.

New Aberconway Student Community Hub set to enrich student life at Cardiff Business School

11 September 2024

The newly launched Aberconway Student Community Hub is a vibrant space designed to enhance both the study and social experience for students.

Experts and practitioners came together to tackle the urgent and complex issue of modern slavery at The Anti-Slavery Wales Conference 2023.

Anti-Slavery conference spearheads fight against modern slavery

01 November 2023

Experts and practitioners came together to tackle the urgent and complex issue of modern slavery at The Anti-Slavery Wales Conference 2023.

Experts in logistics and operations management from Cardiff Business School deliver training to young professionals as part of the DSV Solutions Accelerate Programme.

DSV future leaders sharpen skills with business school experts

11 September 2023

Experts in logistics and operations management from Cardiff Business School deliver training to young professionals as part of the DSV Solutions Accelerate Programme.

Cardiff Business School has been reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for a further five years.

Cardiff Business School celebrates AACSB reaccreditation

30 June 2023

Cardiff Business School has been reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for a further five years.

A report by Cardiff University academics shows that urgent action is needed to ensure a just transition to Net Zero in Wales.

An equal and just transition to Net Zero in Wales

07 June 2023

A report by Cardiff University academics shows that urgent action is needed to ensure a just transition to Net Zero in Wales.

Company strengthens ties with Cardiff Business School

DSV accelerates future leaders

27 March 2023

Company strengthens ties with Cardiff Business School

Celebrating success in the latest Research Excellence Framework

Cardiff Business School maintains highest possible research environment score in REF 2021

12 May 2022

Celebrating success in the latest Research Excellence Framework

Professor Rachel Ashworth has been made a Fellow of the national academy for the arts and sciences

Dean of Business School elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales

05 May 2022

Professor Rachel Ashworth has been made a Fellow of the national academy for the arts and sciences

Business School students secure two more awards at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards

Student successes at national employability awards

16 March 2022

Business School students secure two more awards at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards

Longstanding relationship extended with focus on economic and social benefits

New support to launch The Hodge Foundation Public Value Programme

17 August 2021

Longstanding relationship extended with focus on economic and social benefits

New in-depth reports will reveal unique challenges facing Wales

Regional data vital for economic and social pandemic recovery

28 July 2021

New in-depth reports will reveal unique challenges facing Wales

Professors bolster breadth of expertise with welcome to Learned Society of Wales

Fellowships recognise significant contributions in pandemic year

17 May 2021

Professors bolster breadth of expertise with welcome to Learned Society of Wales

Scheme to promote authenticity for enterprising students

Three new entrepreneurs in residence

05 March 2021

Scheme to promote authenticity for enterprising students

Four shortlisted for NUE Awards

Four shortlisted for NUE Awards

22 February 2021

Four shortlisted for NUE Awards

CABS award for ‘outstanding’, ‘sustained’ and ‘value adding’ support

Prestigious fellowship for School Manager

14 December 2020

CABS award for ‘outstanding’, ‘sustained’ and ‘value adding’ support

Senior academic recognised by British Academy of Management

Medal for leadership

30 September 2020

Senior academic recognised by British Academy of Management

First virtual conference for Cardiff Business School

e-LRN 2020

29 September 2020

First virtual conference for Cardiff Business School

Learned Society of Wales elects Dean of Research

Fellowship for Management Board member

26 June 2020

Learned Society of Wales elects Dean of Research

Placement and internship successes at national awards

NUE Awards 2020

23 April 2020

Placement and internship successes at national awards

Community of students, staff, parents and partners gather for awards ceremony

Prizegiving marks another year of student success

17 December 2019

Community of students, staff, parents and partners gather for awards ceremony

Qualification to develop professionals working in the NHS in Wales

New Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Planning Launched

24 October 2019

Qualification to develop professionals working in the NHS in Wales

Event brings together School’s Public Value stakeholders

Research for business, society and communities

20 October 2019

Event brings together School’s Public Value stakeholders

School’s ‘public value purpose’ recognised at BITC Cymru Awards

Large Responsible Business of the Year

25 July 2019

School’s ‘public value purpose’ recognised at BITC Cymru Awards

Wales Centre for Public Policy acclaimed by the Economic and Social Research Council

Outstanding impact on policy in Wales

22 July 2019

Wales Centre for Public Policy acclaimed by the Economic and Social Research Council

School hosts learning event on International Day for Disabled People

Valued in Work

18 December 2018

School hosts learning event on International Day for Disabled People

Event paves way for cooperative development in Wales

Basque Country kudos for Welsh ambitions

03 December 2018

Event paves way for cooperative development in Wales

Undergraduates reap rewards for hard work

Student success celebrated

16 November 2018

Undergraduates reap rewards for hard work

Alumna takes the helm at Cardiff Business School

First female Dean

11 September 2018

Alumna takes the helm at Cardiff Business School

Senior academics join international research team

€4.5m EU governance project underway

02 August 2018

Senior academics join international research team

Contact Details

Email [email protected]
Telephone +44 29208 75842
Campuses Aberconway Building, Room Room Q22, Colum Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF10 3EU