Author(s)

Stephen M. Modell

Center for Public Health and Community Genomics, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.

This paper aims to answer the question of whether public service rests on single discipline, specialized ability or multidisciplinary talent. The method used is exploratory by illustration with case examples, some governmentally related, others nongovernmental yet service related. Case series are hypothesis generating, in this instance, identifying the nature of abilities that sustain public service. I support the inferential process with Horvath’s tripartite approach [space (e.g., service locale), time (taking into account project evolution), and person (as the center of multiple service projects) models], which raises a number of sub-driving questions. The sequence followed is to first consider whether public service can be either paid or voluntary, then examine whether public service projects are static and delimited or dynamic and evolving, in what way the comprehensiveness of the service demanded varies with one’s position with respect to leadership, and whether compounding levels of responsibility entail the evolution of public service involvement for the individual. The examples used, including the author’s experience with public health genetic policymaking in the public domain, suggest a flexible notion of public service that is connected with government but need not be or can be indirectly associated. Public service projects and involvement in public service are dynamic when granted the opportunity and at a high level of undertaking show convergence of project efforts. While public service may start out depending on individuals exhibiting single, specialized abilities, multidisciplinary talent is required as projects progress and link together.

Public Service, Governmental Service, Nongovernmental Organization, Voluntarism, Public Health, Genetics, Public Deliberation

Modell, S. (2022) Public Service Engagement: Resting Ground for Specialized Ability or Garden for Multidisciplinary Talent?. Journal of Service Science and Management, 15, 655-671. doi: 10.4236/jssm.2022.156038.