Abstract
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of our friend and colleague Professor Duncan McTavish. Duncan was a former editor of Public Policy and Administration and served on several journal editorial boards, including Teaching Public Administration.
An outstanding researcher and scholar, with extensive publications in the fields of public administration, public policy and politics, Duncan’s work is an invaluable resource for students and practitioners and has advanced our understanding of policy processes. His research extended across a wide range of themes and issues, including the impact of neo-liberal public sector reforms, Multi-Level Governance, good governance, accountability of the public sector, inequalities in public administration, and British politics and policy. His first book, Business and Management in the UK 1900–2003, a fusion of economic and political history, and business and public administration, drew upon his doctoral research to provide an important analysis of the dynamic between managerial issues in the UK business and public sectors. Duncan’s final book, Themes and Flux in British Politics, is a tour de force of British politics with commentary on salient issues confronting contemporary society such as nationalism and differentiated political loyalties. His holistic perspective of the political and public policy landscape provides a richer understanding of the complexities and challenges of public service for a better society. In these books, his edited volumes, book chapters and journal articles, Duncan combined high levels of research and scholarship and incisive analysis, with that elusive quality – ‘readability’.
Duncan epitomised a public service ethos. His service to the discipline extended beyond advancing areas of scholarship; he devoted his time and energy to numerous learned societies and supported aspiring researchers. Particularly, his collaborations with early career researchers and PhD students is a testament to his tireless efforts to mentor and support scholars. Duncan was a dedicated teacher who delivered challenging and stimulating courses to students across all stages of the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum, and those taking a range of professional qualifications and continuing professional development modules. He handled the managerial and administrative duties of the modern academic with aplomb, and he was the epitome of the trusted, collegiate professional in all that he did. His steady judgement meant that he was a popular choice when a University department required an external examiner or assessor, and his external roles extended into the world of practice through, for example, his work for the National Council for the Training of Journalists. In the midst of the often overheated debates about matters of academic policy or practice, he was invariably a calming influence who introduced a sense of proportion and perspective to discussions.
Duncan’s career started in the delivery and implementation sphere of public administration, and he came to work with Strathclyde Regional Council, focused on the provision of economic development opportunities for the West of Scotland. This background provided a unique practitioner perspective of the complexities of government and informed his academic career. Duncan’s academic studies started with a first degree from the University of Strathclyde, followed by postgraduate degrees from the University of Glasgow, where he achieved a PhD in 2002. He held academic positions at the Open University, then Northumbria University, and at Glasgow Caledonian University where he became Professor of Public Policy and Management. In recognition of his achievements, the University conferred upon Duncan an Emeritus Professorship in 2017.
Duncan’s death was unexpected and came far too soon. His final book just completed, and plans in place for the next set of research projects. Duncan passed away on the Friday preceding Remembrance Sunday, a day symbolic of the bravery and selflessness of others. Duncan was indeed one of those rare people who with humour and kindness gave of himself without any expectation of reciprocation. He was passionate about creating opportunities for others. His fundamental concern was the need for our society to eliminate social exclusion, divisions, polarisation and inequalities. He worked tirelessly through various charitable organisations and served as a board member on several of these, including the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector. His scholarly work was at one with his social concerns and reflected a desire to improve public policy decisions for all.
Beyond his academic life, Duncan had a wide and diverse range of interests. He maintained a fitness regime based around cycling and the gym. No conversation with Duncan would be complete without his asking if you had read this novel, seen that drama production or heard this piece of music. He valued the opinions of others, even when these were at odds with his own. The exception to this was his love for Glasgow Rangers FC, on which subject alternative views were countenanced only grudgingly!
Our thoughts are with his beloved wife, Linda, and son, Iain, who were with him in his final hours. His legacy lies in an extensive range of publications with applied academic analysis, his support to colleagues in their careers, the students who benefitted from his teaching and his work as an exemplar of the public service mission. Our academic disciplines have lost a fine and respected scholar, and many of us have lost a valued colleague and great friend.