Share

New Prof Studies Human Resource Challenges
Research Looks at Problems Posed by Aging Government Workforce

Dr. Doug Goodman, whose research focuses on human resource management in the public sector, has joined UT Dallas’ School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences as an associate professor of public affairs.

Goodman began teaching graduate students in the master of public affairs and PhD programs in the fall. He moved to UT Dallas after serving on the political science and public administration faculty at Mississippi State University. Before entering academia, he worked as a police officer in Arizona.

“I wanted to join UT Dallas because I feel it has a real up-and-coming program,” he said. “I know our public affairs program has a strong reputation already, but it’s getting better known around the country as we expand our areas of expertise and welcome a wider variety of students.”

Goodman’s current research interests include public-sector workforce planning, at-will employment in the public sector, public human resource management reforms, managing public employees following catastrophic events, and public-sector retirement benefits.

After a few months at UT Dallas, Goodman said, he’s impressed with the faculty and students he’s met. He recently concluded his first semester at UT Dallas, where he taught one course off campus, at Plano City Hall.

“Almost all of the students I’ve worked with have been involved in city government in some way, and they’re eager to develop new skills and the ability to deal effectively with challenges,” he said.

Goodman’s current research and classes examine how governments and nonprofit organizations are confronting the prospect of dwindling budgets, but another looming issue for managers involves an aging workforce, he said. Goodman estimates 30 to 40 percent of current government workers will be eligible to retire in the next five years. Although government workers tend to earn lower salaries than private-sector employees, they often get better retirement benefits, so they’re inclined to remain in their positions until retirement.

Managers will need to develop effective succession plans for dealing with the mass exit of these experienced employees in the coming decade, Goodman said. His current research looks at some alternative methods for preparing the next generation of leaders in government and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. James Marquart, dean of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, said he is pleased to have Goodman on the faculty.

“Dr. Goodman will bring added depth to our public affairs program, which is expanding its areas of expertise and reaching out to more area professionals,” he said.

Goodman co-edited the book, Contested Landscape: The Politics of Wilderness in Utah and the West. His articles have appeared in journals such as the American Review of Public Administration, Review of Public Personnel Administration, Political Research Quarterly, Human Resource Development Quarterly, Public Personnel Management, Politics & Policy, Public Administration Review, and American Review of Politics.

Goodman received his master’s degree and PhD in political science from The University of Utah, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University.

Dr. Doug Goodman estimates 30 to 40 percent of current government workers will be eligible to retire in the next five years.

Media Contact: The Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].

Tagged: