Katherine G. Willoughby, Professor
Professor of Public Administration and Urban Studies
Ph.D., University of Georgia
Phone: 404-413-0117
E-mail: kwilloughby@gsu.edu
Vita (pdf)
Specialties:
Public Budgeting
Public Financial Management
Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
Organizational Decision Behavior
Dr. Katherine Willoughby seeks to promote improved budgeting and financial management practices in the public sector. Her primary focus of research is on state government budgetary and fiscal management. Her book, Policy and Politics in State Budgeting, coauthored with Dr. Kurt Thurmaier, examines the relationship between budgeting and policy development as seen through the eyes of analysts employed in executive budget offices in 11 American state governments in the South and Midwest. Willoughby has served as the grading team leader in the area of budget and financial management for the 2005 and 2008 Government Performance Project, a national effort funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and its Center on the States. Results from the most recent survey are available at http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/initiatives_detail.aspx?initiativeID=36072.
Willoughby has also conducted several studies about local government budgeting and management practices. Her recent research in this area examines the decision making activities of government budget analysts in three American cities. Other research and applied projects include the impact of the incorporation of the City of Dunwoody on DeKalb County finances; collaboration with GASB regarding the study of state government performance measurement applications and reforms; assessment of the development of statewide immunization registries and their implications for individual privacy; and assistance with the development of an applied knowledge assessment tool for local government managers. She remains involved with the International Studies Program of the Andrew Young School, providing training and consulting support to numerous groups of budget, finance and other government officials and staff from around the world regarding best practices as applied in United States governments.
