Rosemary O'Leary

Rosemary O’Leary is most acknowledged for her scholarship exploring dissent in public organizations, collaboration to improve public service, and the impact of courts on public administration

In 2021, the Academy of Management section on public and nonprofit management chose the 3rd edition of her book, "The Ethics of Dissent: Managing Guerrilla Government" (CQ Press 2021) as the winner of the Best Book in Public Management Award. This book explores the phenomenon of "guerrilla government," where public servants resist or subvert official policies and decisions they find unethical, ineffective, or unjust. The book examines how bureaucrats engage in covert or overt dissent within government agencies, often acting as internal whistleblowers or quiet resisters. Through real-world case studies, O’Leary analyzes the ethical dilemmas these public servants face, the motivations behind their actions, and the implications for governance, accountability, and democratic integrity. She also provides strategies for public managers to recognize, navigate, and constructively engage with dissent to foster ethical and effective government.

She was President of the US-based Public Management Research Association and worked actively with its board of directors for ten years. She is among a few who have won 5 lifetime achievement awards in the field of public management/public administration.