Donavon Johnson, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Johnson is an assistant professor of public policy and administration. He is a Fulbright Scholar from the Global South with dynamic research interests. One tranche of his research examines the consequences of administrative burdens bureaucratic encounters and policy making. He connects these literatures to research on, implementation, program evaluation, and social equity to raise questions related to understanding how administrative burdens disrupt Public Administration’s role as an enabler of democracy and good governance.

The second tranche of his research expands into the realm of digital transformation and governance, cybersecurity, public administration, and public policy. His work revisits foundational PA concepts such as effectiveness, efficiency, scientific management, and democracy, in the context of new and emerging technologies. In his sole-authored book publication by Routledge titled, Cryptocurrency and Public Policy: Implications for democracy and governance he raises questions centered on how issues such as race, citizenship, governance, public policy, and social equity intersect with digital transformation and technology-specific challenges facing public managers. He has also published book chapters aligning with this research program. In one publication titled “The new destination: Transforming travel and tourism through digital transformation in the post-COVID era” he examines the viability of digital transformation in helping governments and public administrators to restore their tourism industries post COVID-19. In a forthcoming chapter titled “The importance of prioritizing people in Digital Transformation Strategies among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” he presents arguments on the viability of digital transformation in helping public administrators create transformational outcomes for their education sectors.

Dr. Johnson’s research has also been featured in Government Information Quarterly, Administration and Society, and Journal of Behavioral and Public Administration, among others. He has engaged in consulting and training with local government and private managers and employees in the Caribbean. He has also engaged in data management consulting with embassies, public bodies, and non-government organizations such as the Organization of American States, USAID, European Union, and the World Bank.