Joan Woodward
Encyclopedia
Joan Woodward was a British
professor in organization sociology
In 1964, she was invited to work part time for the Ministry of Labour
. This was followed, in 1969, by an appointment as Professor of Industrial Sociology and Director of the Industrial Sociology Unit.
Her work received international recognition, leading to an invitation to join a group of the top seven organisation theorists that was called the Magnificent Seven. Such international acclaim was rare for a woman at this period.
In 1970, Prof. Woodward published a book "Industrial Organisation: Behaviour and Control". This text described the complete work of her research group since 1962.
The bi-annual Joan Woodward Memorial Lecture takes place at Imperial College Business School. The Joan Woodward Prize is bestowed annually on an undergraduate or post-graduate undertaking a thesis in a topic that matches the research interests of Joan Woodward. Both the lecture series and student prizes are supported by an endowment fund that has been established in her name.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professor in organization sociology
Organizational studies
Organizational studies, sometimes known as organizational science, encompass the systematic study and careful application of knowledge about how people act within organizations...
Background
Joan Woodward undertook her early research at South East Essex College of Technology, before joining Imperial College in 1957 as a part time lecturer in Industrial Sociology and was appointed to a Senior Lectureship in the Production Engineering Section in 1962.Pursuits
Woodward was a leading academic and commentator in the field of Organization Theory. Woodward was a pioneer for empirical research in organizational structures and author of analytical frameworks that establish the link between technology and production systems and their role in shaping effective organizational structures.In 1964, she was invited to work part time for the Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
. This was followed, in 1969, by an appointment as Professor of Industrial Sociology and Director of the Industrial Sociology Unit.
Her work received international recognition, leading to an invitation to join a group of the top seven organisation theorists that was called the Magnificent Seven. Such international acclaim was rare for a woman at this period.
Legacy
Woodward died in 1971, aged 54 - having followed treatment for breast cancer. As the second woman to receive a chair at Imperial College. Woodward is a role-model for women in science, engineering and technology.In 1970, Prof. Woodward published a book "Industrial Organisation: Behaviour and Control". This text described the complete work of her research group since 1962.
The bi-annual Joan Woodward Memorial Lecture takes place at Imperial College Business School. The Joan Woodward Prize is bestowed annually on an undergraduate or post-graduate undertaking a thesis in a topic that matches the research interests of Joan Woodward. Both the lecture series and student prizes are supported by an endowment fund that has been established in her name.