Eleanor Burt | School of Management | University of St Andrews

About us

you are in › home › About us › People › Academic Teaching and Research Staff › Eleanor Burt

Dr Eleanor Burt

BA (Hons), PhD, FHEA (previously ILT)

Senior Lecturer in Management

Fax: +44 (0)1334 462812

Web Link

Third Sector Research Forum (TSRF)- Click for introduction to the TSRF, including the Seminar Programme.

Teaching

Teaching 2012/2013

MN1001 Organisation and Society: Theories of Work
MN4266 Managing Voluntary Organisations: Contexts, Contributions, and Challenges
MN5002 Contemporary Conceptual Issues in Management
MN5821 Managing Non-Governmental Organisations
MLitt dissertation supervision

Funding awards for teaching innovations

I have have received two funding awards from the University of St Andrews in support of teaching innovations. The Strategic Enhancement of Learning Fund (SELF) enabled me to develop and pilot a 'live consultancy' initiative for undergraduate students taking the module NGOs: Contexts, Contributions, and Challenges, in 2004. The Fund for Initiatives in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (FILTA) is enabling the development and piloting (with Drs Alan Miller and Colin Allison, School of Computer Science, and Mr Alasdair Gordon Gibson, Independent Consultant NGOs) of a Virtual Humanitarian Disaster simulation for undergraduate students taking the module NGOs: Contexts, Contributions, and Challenges, in 2011/2012.

Higher Educational Qualifications

Fellow of the Higher Educational Academy (previously ILT), August 2001.

PhD, Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde, October 1991-August 1994.

Association of Management Education and Training (Scotland) Doctoral Programme Certificate in Research Methods, Glasgow University, October 1991-May 1992.

BA (Hons) FIRST CLASS in Management and Organisational Studies, Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde, September 1985-June 1989.

Awards

John Anderson Scholarship for doctoral research (1991-1994).

Biography

My primary area of expertise is the Third Sector (charities, voluntary organisations, NGOs). My particular focus here is on how these organisations are engaging with information and communication technologies (ICTs) in ways that are enabling them to develop new strategic and operational capabilities. Following the completion of what I believe to have been the first Third Sector focussed PhD in Scotland (1991-1994) as well as one of the first such doctoral studies in the UK, I was Principal Investigator and grant holder on a two-year research project funded by the ESRC under its Virtual Society Programme (1997-1999). Here (with Professor John Taylor, Caledonian Business School) I completed the first large-scale mapping of the uptake and application of information and communication technologies in UK voluntary organisations. This research, together with other publications from the trajectory of work that has followed, has been cited by scholars internationally. I am also interested in the way that public policy impacts on charities, voluntary organisations, and NGOs, while some of my recent work from a Human Resource Management perspective has looked at recruitment processes in charities.

I have presented written and oral evidence to major commissions on the Third Sector, including Deakin and Kemp. I have been an expert advisor to the Regulatory Impact Unit of The Cabinet Office (2004) and the Better Regulation Task Force (2004). I have served on the National Council for Voluntary Organisations' ICT Foresight Panel (2005-2007). I have undertaken commissioned research for the Centre for Civil Society, London School of Economics and the NCVO; the Centre for Philanthropy, University College London; and the Baring Foundation (2009). I have been commissioned by Nominet Trust to deliver "A State of the Art Review of Charities Use of the Internet" (2011). As well as publishing in academic journals and research monographs, I am also a regular contributor to relevant professional journals.

A second stream of research that I have begun to develop is associated with the organisational impact of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation on Scottish public bodies. This follows a high profile study sponsored by the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (2007) that was well reported in the Scottish broadsheets and on radio. This FOI research has also generated a number of academic publications together with articles in professional journals.

I sit on the editorial board of 'Information Polity: the International Journal of Government and Democracy in the Information Age'. I am also editor of a Special Edition of the journal (2011) focussing on FOI.

Research Specialisms

My research specialisms are:

The Third Sector, including:
- a particular focus on business information management in te digital economy and organisational/business transformation;
- relationships with government and commercial businesses;
- strategic positioning;
- values, identity, and professionalisation.
The impact of Freedom of Information on information management practices in Scottish public bodies.

Visiting Scholars and Doctoral Students

I am always pleased to hear from people who are interested in pursuing a period of time in the School as 'visiting scholars' or who wish to apply to engage in doctoral research in areas germane to my expertise. I especially welcome hearing from Third Sector professionals who wish to have sabbatical time in the School to pursue research whether on an informal 'visiting scholar' basis or for formal qualification such as a PhD.

Visiting Scholars who have joined me in the School include:
Dr Carroll Osburn (then with the Caris Foundation, USA), 2007;
Alasdair Gordon-Gibson, Independent Consultant, NGOs, 2011-2012;
Paul Chitnis, CEO, SCIAF, 2011-2012.

Keynote Addresses

Burt, E. (2008), 'How Well Do Voluntary Organisations Perform on the Web as Democratic Actors? Towards an Evaluative Framework', seminar by invitation of iCS, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford.

Burt, E. (2008) Scotland's Voluntary Sector: Identifying Directions for Research and Generating Research Capability. Invited to address the Scottish Government chaired Third Sector Research Forum, Inverness.

Burt. E. (2008) FOISA 2002: A Catalyst for [Desirable] Change in Scotland's Public Bodies? Invited to speak at the Records Management Society 11th annual conference, Edinburgh.

Burt, E. (2007) The Freedom of Information [Scotland] Act 2002: New Modes of Information Management in Scottish Public Bodies? (2007) Insights from the Research. Invited to address the Scottish Public Information Forum, Edinburgh.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. 'Regulating the Voluntary Sector', (September 2004) invited to address the Better Regulation Task Force, independent body reporting to the Prime Minister.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. 'Regulating the Voluntary Sector', (July 2004) invited to address the Whitehall Regulatory Impact network, the Regulatory Impact Unit, The Cabinet Office.

Burt, E. (1996). 'Benevolent Organisations': Modernising 'Charity' for the 21st Century. Invited to address conference delegates at a session for 'those for who have given challenging evidence to The Commission.' (SCVO Annual Conference / Commission on the Future of the Voluntary Sector in Scotland).

Research papers (from January 2008 only)

Peer Reviewed Academic Journal Articles

Taylor, J.A. and Burt, E. (2010) ‘How Well do Public Bodies Respond to Freedom of Information Legislation? Administration, Modernisation, and Democratisation’ , Policy and Politics, 38 (1) 119-134. (First published in Policy and Politics online, Fast-Track list, August 2009).

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2009) ‘Freedom of Information and Scottish Local Government: Continuity, Change, and Capabilities in the Management of Information , Local Government Studies, 35 (2) 181-196.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) ‘How Well Do Voluntary Organisations Perform on the Web as Democratic Actors? Towards an Evaluative Framework’ , Information, Communication and Society, 11 (8) 1047-1067.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) ‘Managing Freedom of Information in Scottish Public Bodies: Administrative Imperatives and Political Settings’ , Open Government, 4 (1) 1-24.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) ‘Evaluating Intermediation: the Electronic Mixed Economy of Public Service Delivery’, International Journal of Public Administration, Special Edition, 31 (7) 730-748.

Guest Editorships

FOI Special Edition, Information Polity : the International Journal of Government and Democracy in the Information Age, (2011) 16:2.

Peer Reviewed Academic Conference Papers

Burt, E. and Scholarios, D. (2010) Through the Lens of Recruitment Narratives – Charities, Religion, and Managerial Pragmatism. Time for a ‘Philosophical Turn’? , Philosophy of Management conference, St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford.

Chapters in Edited Research Monographs

Burt, E. and Scholarios, D. Recruitment in Charitable Organisations: a Comparative Perspective. In Cunningham, I. and James, P. (eds) (2011), Voluntary Organisations and Public Services Delivery: the Employment Outcomes of Government Outsourcing and their Implications, Routledge, London.

Professional Journal Articles

Burt. E. and Barnes, R. (2011) Exploring Young People’s Attitudes to Safer Driving, Kingdom of Fife Group Institute of Advanced Motorists Newsletter. Co-authored article drawing from Barnes’ final year undergraduate dissertation, supervised by Burt, School of Management, University of St Andrews.

Burt, E. and Scholarios, D. (2009) Managing the ‘Charitable Identity’: HR Professionals in the Frontline?, in CIPD WestNews, 63:August (4). Also published in the CIPD WestNews e-Newsletter.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) The Freedom of Information ( Scotland) Act 2002: A Catalyst for Change in Scotland’s Public Bodies? re-printed in iQ by invitation : The Records Management Association of Australasia Quarterly, 24:4 (33-35).

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) The Freedom of Information ( Scotland) Act 2002: A Catalyst for Change in Scotland’s Public Bodies? in the Records Management Society Bulletin, 45, (20-22).

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008) FOI Changes Organisations and Records Management in Scotland, in Privacy Laws and Business. 35 (17-19).

Research Reports

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2011) Charities' Use of the Internet: a State of the Art Review, Commissioned by Nominet Trust, Oxford.
Click here for key insights for practitioners from the Charities' Use of the Internet and to download the report.

Burt, E. (2010) Understanding Scotland’s Volunteering: Does Sector Matter?, Internal Working Paper to Volunteer Development Scotland, Stirling.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2009) Scotland’s Voluntary Sector? Coming Together for Independence?, Commissioned by The Baring Foundation, London. The Scottish component of an international comparative series of essays published under the aegis of the Strengthening the Voluntary Sector programme.

Burt, E. and Taylor, J.A. (2008). Management Research for the Third Sector, Summary report of the research symposium held at the University of St Andrews and sponsored by the ESRC.

Unpublished Conference/Seminar Papers

Scholarios, D and Burt, E. (2010) Achieving Value Congruence Through Recruitment and Selection in Third Sector Organisations, Institute of Work Psychology conference, Sheffield.

Burt, E. and Scholarios, D. (2010) Recruitment in Charitable Organisations – The Philanthropic Myth and Managerial Pragmatism Uncovered? , Third Sector Research Group seminar, School of Management, University of St Andrews.

Taylor, J.A. and Burt, E. (2008) Freedom of Information and Scottish Public Service Behaviour , Caledonian Business School seminar, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow.

Research-Based Professional Activities

Evidential and Advisory Engagements to Government and Independent Inquiries/Commissions etc

Key Informant Interviewee, ESRC/Scottish Government research project ‘Mapping the Rural Third Sector in Scotland’, April 2010.

Invited to sit as academic representative for Scotland on the ESRC Third Sector Research Centre Reference Group, (December 2009 – continuing).

Invited to participate in “Scotland’s Voluntary Sector? Coming Together for Independence” Strengthening the Voluntary Sector Summit, Baring Foundation, London (April 2009).

Invited to give evidence to the emergency Summit on the Impact of the Economic Downturn on the UK Voluntary Sector by the Office of the Third Sector, Cabinet Office and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, The Voluntary Sector and the Economic Downturn: What Does the Future Hold? Burt, E. (November 2008).

Invited to sit on the Scottish Government chaired Scottish Third Sector Research Forum (2008 - 2010).

Invited to sit on the NCVO’s ICT Foresight Research expert panel, advising on a research programme on ICTs and the voluntary sector (July 2005 - March 2007).

‘Regulating the Voluntary Sector’, (September 2004) invited to address the Better Regulation Task Force, independent body, reporting to the Prime Minister.

‘Regulating the Voluntary Sector’, (July 2004) invited to address the Whitehall Regulatory Impact network, the Regulatory Impact Unit, The Cabinet Office.

The Scottish Voluntary Sector and Devolution (2001) Invited to participate in round-table discussion hosted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Edinburgh.

Invited to submit report - ‘ICTs: Reshaping the Voluntary Sector in the Information Age?’ - to the Inquiry of the Policy Action Team on Social Exclusion, Department of Trade and Industry (1999).

The Voluntary Sector in the Democratic Process. Invited to submit evidence to the Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales as part of the Charity Commission’s Review of Charitable Status.

‘Benevolent Organisations’: Modernising ‘Charity’ for the 21st Century. Invited to address conference delegates at a session for ‘those for who have given challenging evidence to The Commission.’ (SCVO Annual Conference / Commission on the Future of the Voluntary Sector in Scotland) (1996).

Voluntary Organisations in the Democratic Process: Contribution, Constraints...and Ways Forward. Invited to give oral evidence and written evidence to the Commission on the Voluntary Sector in Scotland, chaired by Arnold Kemp (1996).

Academic and Professional Research Seminars/Workshops

Invited panellist , ESRC seminar series Re-Mixing the Economy of Welfare , University of Birmingham, March 2010.

‘How Well Do Voluntary Organisations Perform on the Web as Democratic Actors? Towards an Evaluative Framework’ , seminar by invitation of iCS , Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, 2008.

“Scotland’s Voluntary Sector: Identifying Directions for Research and Generating Research Capability”, Invited to address the Scottish Government chaired Third Sector Research Forum, Inverness, 2008.

FOISA 2002: A Catalyst for [Desirable] Change in Scotland’s Public Bodies? Invited to speak at the Records Management Society 11 th annual conference, Edinburgh, 2008.

The Freedom of Information [Scotland] Act 2002: an End in Itself and a Means To an End? Burt [with Taylor] Invited to lead seminar and workshops attended by senior officers with responsibility for the delivery of FOI in Scotland’s public bodies. Sponsored by the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner, St Andrews, 2007.

The Freedom of Information [Scotland] Act 2002: New Modes of Information Management in Scottish Public Bodies? Insights from the Research. Invited to address the Scottish Public Information Forum, Edinburgh, 2007.

CVS Fife Evaluation: Operational Effectiveness and Strategic Capability . Seminar attended by CVS Fife’s Governing Board and senior management team, Kirkcaldy, 2005.

Burt, E., and Taylor, J.A., with the Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sectors, ICTs: Re-shaping the Voluntary Sector in the Information Age? Seminar to Executive Managers of UK voluntary organisations, London, 1999.

Invited to lead Strategic development workshop , for the International Voluntary Service’s (IVS) senior management team, Edinburgh, 1997.

Invited to lead Basic Research Techniques , aimed at voluntary sector practitioners, SCVO short-course programme, Edinburgh, 1996.

Engaging with Strategic Change: Learning from ENABLE, Presentation at training day for practitioners in the voluntary sector, The Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector, Stirling, 1995.

Invited to lead Managing Change: A Case Study of ENABLE , seminar attended by ENABLE’s senior managers. Hosted by the Voluntary Sector Management Development Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University & SCVO, 1994.

Media Interviews etc

Webcast based on the published article ‘How Well Do Voluntary Organisations Perform on the Web as Democratic Actors? Towards an Evaluative Framework’ iCS , Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, 16 December 2008.

‘The Freedom of Information [ Scotland] Act 2002: New Modes of Information Management in Scottish Public Bodies’ report. Press coverage included Real Radio, Wave 102 Dundee, BBC Radio Scotland, The Scotsman, The Herald, The Press and Journal, Holyrood News, 28 September 2007.

Interviewed on the subject of ‘internet technologies in the voluntary sector’, BBCi, 9 July 2002.

Interviewed for article on Scottish charity law, Third Sector, 15 November 2001.

Selected Other Information

Invited to provide: a series of lectures on the UK voluntary sector to a visiting delegation of senior officials from the Chinese government, universities, and NGOs administrative bureau, November 2012.

Expert Interviewee: Review of the Welsh Voluntary Sector Compact, September 2012.

Invited to present: the seminar paper 'Charities and the Net - Innovations and Risks?' to the Department of Law, Economics, Accountancy and Risk, Glasgow Caledonian University, 6 March 2013.

Invited to chair: the Third Sector session at the conference Operations Management in the Third Sector, Leeds University Business School, 20 March 2013.