Charles Wise

Charles R. Wise is Professor Emeritus at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. Holding a Ph.D. (1972) and M.A. (1970) in Political Science from Indiana University, as well as a B.A. in Political Science (1967) from Arizona State University, Wise played a pivotal role in the establishment of the school. He joined as the first faculty member and administrative assistant to IU President John W. Ryan in 1972, securing approvals for the new school and serving 34 years in capacities such as assistant professor, associate dean, director of Graduate Programs in Public Affairs, and director of Undergraduate Programs in Public Affairs until his retirement in 2001. Subsequently, he became the founding director of the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Earlier, Wise held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice, including Special Assistant for Policy Analysis in the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Wise's research specializes in public law, public organization design, intergovernmental relations, and democratization, particularly in Ukraine, where he directed the USAID-funded Parliamentary Development Project for 19 years. He authored two books, notably "The Courts and the President: Judicial Review of Presidential Directives" (Cambridge University Press, 2024), and over 68 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Key publications include "Organizing for homeland security after Katrina: Is adaptive management what's missing?" (Public Administration Review, 2006), "Constitutional courts and legislative-executive relations: The case of Ukraine" (Political Science Quarterly, 2004), and "Breaking up is hard to do: The dissolution of judicial supervision of public services" (Public Administration Review, 2003). Wise served as managing editor of the Public Administration Review and is a recognized global expert, presenting on public management and public organizations. His contributions earned him election as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (1998), three William E. Mosher Awards for best academic articles (1985, 1992, 1993—the only recipient of three), the Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, and the American Society for Public Administration's Donald C. Stone Award for scholarship in intergovernmental administration and management.

Professional Email: wise@iu.edu