Ruth Ballardie

Biography

As an early career academic, Ruth is currently engaged in qualitative research on the experiences of clinical staff in public hospitals with work and quality process changes, under conditions of funding restraint. Ruth's research explores the changing economic, political, social and organisational arenas and how they shape working lives and (collective) identities, and capacities for social action. This reflects her broader investigations of the relationships between social life, institutions and subjectivity, which she initially developed in her doctoral work on transgressive gender identities (female masculinities). In this, Ruth drew upon the feminist theories of Butler and Cavarero to develop the narrative methods that she used to work with life story interviews and their interpretation. More generally, the unprecedented economic, political, and social challenges presented by the global financial crisis (including financial capitalism), and by climate change, underpins Ruth's enquiries into work and organisations, the future of work, the role of the state, and the possibilities for equity and justice. Ruth draws upon a range of critical theories, in particular labour process theory. Ruth's research and teaching is also informed by her previous industry experience in hospitals and in community mental health settings as a healthcare professional.

Research Interest

Qualitative research methods, especially narrative research