Barbara Allen

Barbara Allen serves as Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School in Public Management and Policy at the Victoria University of Wellington's School of Government. With extensive international experience in public procurement and government policy, she has established herself as a leading expert in performance improvement and digital transformation within public sector contexts. Her academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions including the University of Nottingham, Warwick Business School, and the University of Birmingham.

Dr. Allen's research focuses on vexing questions around public spending, procurement policy as a socio-economic instrument, performance improvement frameworks, global trade agreements related to procurement, and the role of digital government in advancing better public services. Her work bridges theoretical understanding with practical implementation challenges faced by governments globally. She has conducted significant research on smart cities, public-private partnerships, social impact bonds, and commissioning mechanisms across various governmental levels.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly contribution to top journals including the Journal of Public Procurement, Australian Journal of Public Administration, and Government Information Quarterly. Recent work examines strategic procurement for SMEs, digital transformation in government, and performance measurement frameworks that balance accountability with innovation. Her research often addresses the practical implementation challenges of theoretical policy frameworks.

• Associate Editor, Journal of Public Procurement
• Member, Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZOG) Research Committee
• Chair, Wellington chapter of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
• Advisory committee, Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand 'Public Sector' journal

As an educator, Dr. Allen coordinates the Masters of Arts in Public Policy research degree and the Masters of Commerce Governing for the Future program. She actively mentors graduate students and serves on multiple university committees including the Wellington School of Business and Government Academic Board. Her military background as a Captain in Air Logistics with the Canadian Armed Forces and education at the Royal Military College of Canada inform her practical understanding of organizational management and leadership.