Professor James Downe

: Media commentator
: Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for James Downe

Professor of Public Policy & Management, Director of Research, WCPP
Cardiff Business School

James is a Professor of Public Policy & Management in Cardiff Business School and Director of Research at the Wales Centre for Public Policy. The Centre supports government and public services to access, interpret and apply evidence that improves policy making and delivery. His current research interests are in evidence-informed policy-making, local government performance regimes, political accountability, sector-led improvement, public trust and the ethical behaviour of local politicians.

He has more than twenty years' experience of conducting evaluations on local government policy for government and has published widely in journals including: Public Administration Review, Public Administration, Policy & Politics, Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, Public Management Review and International Review of Administrative Sciences.

Date
Type

2025

Connell, A. et al. 2025. Why study subnational policy advisory systems?. In: Capano, G. , Craft, J. and Howlett, M. eds. The Routledge Handbook of Policy Advisory Systems. Routledge. , pp.135-147. (10.4324/9781003465720-16)
MacKillop, E. et al. 2025. Knowledge brokers. In: Howlett, M. and Mukherjee, I. eds. Handbook of Policy Advice. Political Science and Public Policy 2025 Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. , pp.438-451. (10.4337/9781035318087.00047)

2012

Cowell, R. J. W. et al. 2012. Public confidence and public services: it matters what you measure. Policy & Politics 40 (1), pp.120-140. (10.1332/147084411X581862)
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. D. and Morgan, K. 2012. Managing Politics? Good conduct and ethics regulation in English local government. Presented at: XVI IRSPM 2012 - XVI Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM) University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy 11-13 April 2012.
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2012. Self regulation in public services: from top down inspection to sector led improvement in English local government. Presented at: BAM2012 - British Academy of Management Annual Conference Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK 11-13 September 2012.
Downe, J. D. , Martin, S. J. and Bovaird, T. 2012. Learning from complex policy evaluations. Policy and Politics 40 (4), pp.505-523. (10.1332/030557312X645766)
Martin, S. J. and Downe, J. D. 2012. Performance management meets partnership working: the case of Comprehensive Area Assessments in England. Presented at: XVI IRSPM 2012 - XVI Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM) University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy 11-13 April 2012.
Martin, S. J. et al. 2012. Collaborative Public Services Management: Rhetoric or Reality?. Presented at: BAM2012 - British Academy of Management Annual Conference Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK 11-13 September 2012.
Nutley, S. M. et al. 2012. Policy transfer and convergence within the UK: the case of local government performance improvement regimes. Policy & Politics 40 (2), pp.193-209. (10.1332/147084411X581880)

2011

Andrews, R. W. , Cowell, R. J. W. and Downe, J. D. 2011. Promoting civic culture by supporting citizenship: what difference can local government make?. Public Administration 89 (2), pp.595-610. (10.1111/j.1467-9299.2010.01875.x)
Andrews, R. W. , Downe, J. D. and Guarneros-Meza, V. 2011. Contracting for social cohesion: do local area agreements make a difference?. Presented at: Annual Conference of the EGPA 2011: PSG II: Performance in Public Sector Bucharest, Romania 7-10 September 2011. Proceedings of the Public Sector Performance study Group EGPA 2011. European Group of Public Administration
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. D. and Morgan, K. 2011. Managing politics? Good conduct and ethics regulation in English local government. Presented at: Political Studies Association Annual Conference Edinburgh, UK 31 March - 1 April 2010.
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. D. and Morgan, K. 2011. The ethical framework for local government in England: is it having any effect and why?. Public Management Review 13 (3), pp.433-457. (10.1080/14719037.2011.553292)
Downe, J. D. 2011. Evaluation of the Scrutiny Development Fund in Wales. Presented at: Wales Scrutiny Champions Network Llandrindod Wells, Wales, UK 18 November 2011.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2011. The determinants of public trust in English local government: performance, standards of conduct or socio-economic. Presented at: 33rd European Group of Public Administration (EGPA) Annual Conference Bucharest, Romania 7-10 September 2011.
Downe, J. D. , Martin, S. J. and Bovaird, T. 2011. Can Government policies improve local public services? An assessment of the impacts of top-down reform strategies. Presented at: Association for Public Policy and Analysis (APPAM) International Academic Conference Moscow, Russia 28-29 June 2011.

2010

Downe, J. D. 2010. Organizational learning. In: Ashworth, R. E. , Boyne, G. A. and Entwistle, T. W. eds. Public Service Improvement: Theories and Evidence. Oxford: Oxford University Press. , pp.184-204.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2010. Theories of public service improvement: A comparative analysis of local performance assessment frameworks. Public Management Review 12 (5), pp.663-678. (10.1080/14719031003633201)
Guarneros-Meza, V. et al. 2010. How to understand citizen engagement? The making the connections document, Wales. Presented at: WISERD Seminar The understanding of citizen engagement by local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government Cardiff, UK 8 March 2010.
Guarneros-Meza, V. et al. 2010. Interpreting citizen engagement in Wales: a governmantality approach. Presented at: Political Studies Association Annual Conference Edinburgh, UK 31 March - 2 April 2010.
Hayden, C. et al., 2010. Comprehensive Area Assessment: An evaluation of year 1. London: Shared Intelligence. Available at: http://archive.audit-commission.gov.uk/auditcommission/SiteCollectionDocuments/Downloads/20100316evaluationofcaa.pdf.
Martin, S. J. et al. 2010. Validity, utilization and evidence-based policy: the development and impact of performance improvement regimes in local public services. Evaluation 16 (1), pp.31-42. (10.1177/1356389009350119)
Martin, S. J. et al. 2010. Central-local partnership in Wales: the whole truth, a half truth or nothing like the truth?. Presented at: Political Studies Association Specialist Group Conference: British and Comparative Territorial Policies Oxford, UK 7-8 January 2010.
Nutley, S. et al. 2010. Policy transfer and local government performance improvement regimes. Presented at: 14th Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM) Bern, Switzerland 7-9 April 2010.

2009

Bovaird, T. , Löffler, E. and Downe, J. D. 2009. Co-production of public services and public policies: the role of emerging technologies. In: Gøtze, J. and Pedersen, C. B. eds. State of the eUnion - Government 2.0 and Onwards.. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. , pp.263-280.
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. and Morgan, K. 2009. Assessing the impact and effectiveness of the ethical framework in local government in England: first interim report to the Standards Board for England. Cardiff: Centre for Local and Regional Government Research, Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.standardsforengland.gov.uk/Resources/Research/2009reports/SBE%20Research%20Report%20Final%20Year1%2022.04.09.doc2.pdf.
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. D. and Morgan, K. 2009. Has the New Standards Framework really made a difference?. Municipal Journal , pp.26-27.
Cowell, R. J. W. , Downe, J. D. and Morgan, K. 2009. The Ethical Framework for Local Government in England – is it having any effect and why?. Presented at: First Global Dialogue - 'Governing good and governing well': The first global dialogue on ethical and effective governance VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 28-30 May 2009.
Downe, J. D. , Martin, S. J. and Bovaird, T. 2009. Evidence based policy making? Meta-evaluation in the real world. Presented at: Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) 31st Annual Research Conference Washington DC, USA 5-7 November 2009.
Entwistle, T. W. et al. 2009. Intergovernmental relations in Wales: having your cake and eating it?. Presented at: Public Administration Committee (PAC) Conference 2009 Pontypridd, UK 7-9 September 2009.
Martin, S. J. et al. 2009. Performance improvement regimes: a theoretical framework for the analysis of public services audit and inspection. Presented at: 13th Annual IRSPM Conference Copenhagen, Denmark 6-8 April 2009. , pp.61-73.
Morgan, K. J. , Cowell, R. J. W. and Downe, J. D. 2009. Civilising politics? The impacts of the ethical framework for local government in England. Presented at: 7th Workshop of the EGPA Study Group Malta

2008

Andrews, R. W. , Cowell, R. J. W. and Downe, J. D. 2008. Support for active citizenship and public service performance: an empirical analysis of English local authorities. Policy & Politics 36 (2), pp.225-243. (10.1332/030557308783995044)
Andrews, R. W. et al. 2008. Supporting Effective Citizenship in Local Government: Engaging, Educating and Empowering Local Citizens. Local Government Studies 34 (4), pp.489-507. (10.1080/03003930802217462)
Bovaird, T. and Downe, J. D. 2008. Innovation in public engagement and co-production of services. Other. Cardiff: Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University.
Cowell, R. J. W. et al. 2008. Meta-evaluation of the local government modernisation agenda: the state of local democracy: the impact of policy changes on accountaibility and public confidence. London: Department for Communities and Local Government.
Cowell, R. J. W. et al. 2008. Making sense of service improvement: an empirical analysis of public confidence in local government. Presented at: International Research Society for Public Management Annual Conference Brisbane, Australia 26th - 28th March 2008.
Downe, J. D. 2008. Inspection of local government services. In: Davis, H. and Martin, S. J. eds. Public services inspection in the UK. Research highlights in social work Vol. 50.London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. , pp.19-36.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2008. Best value audits in Scotland: winning without scoring?. Public Money and Management 28 (2), pp.77-84.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2008. Best value audits in Scotland: winning without scoring?. Presented at: nternational Research Society for Public Management Annual Conference Brisbane, Australia 26th-28th March 2008.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2008. Best Value Audits in Scotland: Winning Without Scoring?. Public Money and Management 28 (2), pp.77-84. (10.1111/j.1467-9302.2008.00625.x)
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2008. Editorial: Evaluating the local government modernisation agenda: impacts, obstacles and outcomes. Local Government Studies 34 (1), pp.105-107. (10.1080/03003930701803958)

2007

Downe, J. D. 2007. Long-term meta-evaluation of the Local Government Modernisation Agenda: Data Audit. Project Report.Cardiff: Cardiff University Business School.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2007. Reinventing governmental relationships in the UK: Emerging evidence on the impacts of modernising local governance in a centralist state. Presented at: British Academy of Management Annual Conference University of Warwick, Coventry, UK 11-13 September 2007.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2007. The procurement process as a driver of service improvement and efficiency savings in English local government. Presented at: Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Washington D.C. 8-10 November 2007.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2007. Comparing for improvement: Local government performance regimes in England, Scotland and Wales. Other. London: Solace Foundation Imprint. Available at: http://www.publicservices.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/dp_0705_final-2007_11_27.pdf.
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2007. Inspecting for improvement? Emerging patterns of public service regulation in the UK. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 25 (3), pp.410-422. (10.1068/c59m)
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2007. Regulation inside government: processes and impacts of inspection of local public services. Policy & Politics 35 (2), pp.215-232. (10.1332/030557307780712997)
Entwistle, T. W. et al. 2007. Perspectives on place-shaping and service delivery: A report of case study work conducted for the Lyons Inquiry. Project Report.[Online].London: The Stationery Office. Available at: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/other/9780119898576/9780119898576.pdf.
Grace, C. et al. 2007. 'Decisive moment': Independent review of the Best Value Audit Process: Final report to the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland. Project Report.[Online].Edinburgh: Accounts Commission. Available at: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/local/2007/bv_070725_review.pdf.
Hartley, J. and Downe, J. D. 2007. The Shining Lights? Public Service awards as an approach to service improvement. Public Administration 85 (2), pp.329-353. (10.1111/j.1467-9299.2007.00652.x)

2006

Andrews, R. W. et al. 2006. Promoting effective citizenship and community empowerment: A guide for local authorities on enhancing capacity for public participation. Project Report.[Online].London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Available at: http://www.safercommunitiesscotland.org/Documents/Promoting%20Effective%20Citizenship%20and%20Community%20Empowerment%20(2006).pdf.
Ashworth, R. E. et al. 2006. Review of the role and functions of elected members: literature review. Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government. Available at: http://business.cardiff.ac.uk/research/groups/centre-local-and-regional-government-research/research-projects/functions-of-elected-members.
Bovaird, T. , Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2006. Designing policy for service improvement in UK local government, 1997-2005: Emerging evidence from a meta-evaluation. Presented at: 10th International Research Symposium on Public Management (IRSPM X) Glasgow, UK 10-12 April 2006.
Bovaird, T. and Downe, J. D. 2006. N Generations of Reform in UK Local Government: Compliance and Resistance to Institutional Pressures. International Public Management Journal 9 (4), pp.429-455. (10.1080/10967490601077319)
Bovaird, T. et al., 2006. Reinventing governmental relationship in the UK: Emerging evidence on the impacts of modernising local governance in a centralist state. Presented at: Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 28th Annual Fall Research Conference Madison, WI, USA 2-4 November 2006.
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2006. Joined up policy in practice? The coherence and impacts of the local government modernisation agenda. Local Government Studies 32 (4), pp.465-488. (10.1080/03003930600793045)
Sullivan, H. et al., 2006. The Three Challenges of Community Leadership. Local Government Studies 32 (4), pp.489-508. (10.1080/03003930600793136)

2005

Bovaird, T. et al., 2005. Meta-evaluation of the Local Government Modernisation Agenda: Overall progress report. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2005. Supporting citizenship and local democracy: The role of local government. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Downe, J. D. , Bovaird, T. and Martin, S. J. 2005. Designing policy for service improvement in UK local government, 1997-2004: Emerging evidence from a meta-evaluation. Presented at: Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Fall Research Conference 2005 Washington, DC, USA 3-5 November 2005.
Downe, J. D. et al. 2005. Meta-evaluation of the local government modernisation agenda: progress report on public confidence in local government. Project Report.London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2005. External inspection and internal scrutiny: complementary or contrasting approaches to the regulation of local public services?. Presented at: ESRC Seminar on Accountability, Scrutiny and Regulation Cardiff, UK 8 June 2005.
Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2005. Inspecting for improvement? Emerging patterns of public service regulation in the UK. Presented at: Twentieth Annual Employment Research Unit Annual Conference Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK 6-7 September 2005.
Entwistle, T. W. and Downe, J. D. 2005. Picking Winners to Define and Disseminate Best Practice. Public Policy and Administration 20 (4), pp.25-37. (10.1177/095207670502000403)
Hartley, J. , Downe, J. D. and Rashman, L. 2005. An analysis of the effectiveness of public service award schemes. Presented at: Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Meeting 2005 Honolulu, HI, USA 5-10 August 2005.
Leach, S. et al., 2005. Local political leadership in England and Wales. Working paper. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/1859353665.pdf.
Leach, S. et al., 2005. Progress report on stakeholder engagement with local government. Working paper. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Rashman, L. , Downe, J. D. and Hartley, J. 2005. Knowledge creation and transfer in the Beacon Scheme: Improving services through sharing good practice. Local Government Studies 31 (5), pp.683-700. (10.1080/03003930500293732)

2004

Bovaird, A. G. , Martin, S. J. and Downe, J. D. 2004. Evaluating outcomes and processes in multi-level public sector governance. Presented at: Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Atlanta, USA 28-30 October 2004.
Bovaird, T. , Martin, S. J. and Downe, J. 2004. Performancemeasurement for evidence-based strategies of multilevel public service reform. Presented at: Performance Measurement and Management: Public and Private. PMA 2004 Conference Edinburgh, UK 28 - 30 July 2004.
Davies, H. , Downe, J. D. and Martin, S. J. 2004. The changing role of Audit Commission inspection of local government. Working paper. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/1859352391.pdf.
Downe, J. D. , Entwistle, T. W. and Martin, S. J. 2004. An assessment of the WLGA's proposals for excellence Wales. Project Report.Cardiff: Welsh Local Government Association.
Downe, J. D. , Hartley, J. and Rashman, L. 2004. Evaluating the extent of inter-organizational learning and change in local authorities through the English beacon council scheme. Public Management Review 6 (4), pp.531-554. (10.1080/1471903042000303328)
Martin, S. J. and Downe, J. D. 2004. Inspecting for improvement? Emerging patterns of Public Service Regulation in the UK. Presented at: IRSPM VIII: 8th International Research Symposium on Public Management Budapest, Hungary 31 March - 2 April 2004. Published in: Jenei, G. et al., Challenges of Public Management Reforms: Theoretical Perspectives and Recommendations. Budapest: Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration. , pp.48-71.
Rallings, C. et al., 2004. Redistricting Local Governments in England: Rules, Procedures and Electoral Outcomes. State Politics and Policy Quarterly 4 (4), pp.470-490. (10.1177/153244000400400407)

2003

Davies, H. et al., 2003. Six of the best: An evaluation of the LGA's six commitments. Documentation. LGA Publications.
Downe, J. D. and Hartley, J. 2003. Research into beacon council scheme applications: Objective One final report - Identifying trends in applications and in selection. Project Report.London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

2002

Downe, J. D. , Hartley, J. and Rashman, L. 2002. Networking among public service organizations: learning and change through the Beacon Council Scheme. Presented at: 62nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM) Denver, CO, USA 9-14 August 2002. Academy of Management Meeting Proceedings. Vol. 2002.Briarcliff Manor, NY: AOM. , pp.B1-B6. (10.5465/APBPP.2002.7519425)
Downe, J. D. et al. 2002. Monitoring and Evaluation of the Beacon Council Scheme: Determining whether the best local authorities apply to become Beacon Councils. Technical Report.
Downe, J. D. , Rashman, L. and Hartley, J. 2002. Why local authorities do or do not apply to become beacon councils. Other. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Rallings, C. , Thrasher, M. and Downe, J. D. 2002. One vote, one value: electoral redistricting in English local government. Farnham, UK: Ashgate.

2001

Downe, J. D. , Martin, S. J. and Davies, H. 2001. The impact of external inspection on local government - delivering improvement or drowning in detail?. Other. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/921.pdf.
Martin, S. J. et al. 2001. Improving local public services: Final Report of the Best Value Pilot Programme. Project Report.[Online].Coventry: Warwick Business School. Available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/145887.pdf.
Martin, S. J. , Davis, H. and Downe, J. D. 2001. External inspection of local government: Driving improvement or drowning in detail?. Project Report.[Online].York: The Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/1859352979.pdf.

2000

Downe, J. D. 2000. R. J. Rossiter, R. Johnston and C. Pattie, The Boundary Commissions: Redrawing the UK's Map of Parliamentary Constituencies [Book Review]. Party Politics 6 (2), pp.247-249. (10.1177/1354068800006002011)
Downe, J. D. , Rallings, C. and Thrasher, M. 2000. Turnout at local government elections: Influences on levels of voter registration and electoral participation. Other. London: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

1996

Downe, J. D. , Rallings, C. and Thrasher, M. 1996. Enhancing local electoral turnout: A guide to current practice and future reform. Working paper. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Completed research

Transforming into Open, Innovative and Collaborative Governments, 2017-2021, European Commission Horizon 2020

Management Innovation in Local Government: An examination of shared senior management teams in English local government, 2016-2018, Cardiff Business School

Evaluating the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Programme, 2016-17, Local Government Association

Outcome Evaluation of the Local Service Board ESF Development and Priority Delivery Project, 2012-2015, Welsh Government

Process Evaluation of the Local Service Board ESF Development and Priority Delivery Project, 2012-2015, Welsh Government

Evaluation of Welsh Government funding streams to support regional collaborative working, 2014-2015, Welsh Government

The Regulation and Performance of Public Services, 2013-2015, Cardiff Business School

An Evaluation of Executive Arrangements in Local Government, 2014, Welsh Government

Identification of Best Practice in Joint Scrutiny arrangements across Wales, and the production of a Practitioners Toolkit, 2013-14, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council – supported by Welsh Government

Evaluation of the Fire Peer Challenge, 2013-2014, Local Government Association

Coordinating for Cohesion in the Public Sector of the Future, 2011-14, European Commission Framework 7 programme,

Developing a Culture of Collaborative Scrutiny: an Evaluation of Practice and Potential, 2012-2013, Welsh Government

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Corporate Peer Challenge Process, 2011-2013, Local Government Association

Accountability, Efficiency, Improvement and Change in UK Local Public Services: The Role of Benchmarking and External Performance Assessment, 2012-2013, Economic and Social Research Council

Evaluation of the Scrutiny Development Fund in Wales, 2011-2012, Welsh Government

Evaluation of Welsh Government Policy for Local Government, 2008-2012, Welsh Assembly Government

Qualifications

PhD, University of Plymouth
Pg. Dip Social Science Research Methods University of Plymouth
BSc Politics University of Plymouth

Academic positions

Professor, Cardiff Business School, 2017-
Reader, Cardiff Business School, 2013-2017
Senior Research Fellow, Cardiff Business School, 2008-2013
Senior Research Associate, Cardiff Business School, 2003-2008
Senior Research Fellow, Warwick Business School, 2000-2003
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Politics, University of Plymouth, 1997-2000
Research Assistant, Department of Politics, University of Plymouth, 1995-1996

PhD supervision research interests

Evidence informed policy making
Knowledge brokering
Welsh Government policy making
Ethical behaviour of politicians
Local government
Political leadership

Research themes

Specialisms

Local government and politics
Public policy
Evidence informed policy making
Knowledge brokering

Research for business, society and communities

20 October 2019

Major EU funding for digital transformation project

16 November 2017

Professor James Downe

Teams and roles for James Downe

Professor of Public Policy & Management, Director of Research, WCPP

Overview

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018

2016

2015

2014

2013