Tom Overmans is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of Undergraduate Education at the Utrecht University School of Governance (USG). In this role, he combines academic research with a active engagement in teaching and departmental governance. He is also a member of the department's management board.

As Director, Tom shapes and renews the bachelor curriculum. His focus extends beyond knowledge transfer to the formation of students in thinking, doing and professional conduct. Together with colleagues, he works on educational programmes that enable students to understand societal issues, imagine alternative approaches and actively contribute to change. His ambition is to develop a forward-looking and versatile Public Administration and Organisation Science curriculum that is firmly connected to the practice of public governance and provides space for academic depth, creativity and collaboration.

Tom’s academic research centres on decision-making in public administration, with particular attention to financial contexts and the ways in which institutional and behavioural factors shape the judgement and actions of politicians and civil servants. His current research programme is supported by a personal Talent Grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO Veni). In addition, he conducts research on meaningful academic education (SoTL).

He works at the interface of scholarship and practice, consistently seeking to connect academic rigour with societal relevance and effective knowledge exchange. Tom is an active member of several international research communities, including the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM), European Network for Public Administration (ENPA) en Public Management Research Association (PMRA).

Areas of Expertise: 

• Public Administration and Organisation Science

• Decision-making in public governance

• Financial management and public finance

• Budgeting, planning and control, accountability

• Behavioural Public Administration

• Experimental research methods

• Austerity management in public organisations