Tracy holds a Phd in Anthropology from the University of the Witwatersrand and an M Comm from Stellenbosch University. Her main research interest is the analysis of institutional failure in the public sector, on the basis that the study of failure provides better insights into causality than does the study of so-called best practise.  Her work is based mainly in local government, and focuses on developing new theoretical frameworks with which we can interpret institutional outcomes. She is particularly interested in the relationship between exogenous legislative innovation and endogenous institutional factors, and the ways in which the latter undermine the former.

Ledger, T. (2021) ‘Changing Municipal Leadership Won’t End One of the Toughest Challenges in Local Government’. New Agenda Issue 82: pp. 8–11.

Ledger, T. (2021) ‘Broken Promises. Electricity Access For Low Income Households: Good Intentions, Bad Trade-offs and Unintended Consequences’. Energy and Society Working Paper 2. Johannesburg: Public Affairs Research Institute.

Ledger, T. (2020) ‘A Just Distribution’. Energy and Society Working Paper 1. Johannesburg: Public Affairs Research Institute.

Ledger, T. and M. Rampedi (2020) ‘End of the Road: A Critical Review of the Local Government Fiscal Framework’. A PARI report. Johannesburg: Public Affairs Research Institute.

Ledger, T. and M. Rampedi (2019) ‘Mind The Gap: Section 139 interventions in theory and in practice’. A PARI report. Johannesburg: Public Affairs Research Institute.

Ledger, T. and M. Rampedi (2019) ‘A critical evaluation of the Local Government Equitable Share (LGES)’. Report prepared for the South African Local Government Association by PARI.

The Citizen (9 March 2019) ‘Plan Will Reveal True ANC’ by Simba Lando, Thokozani Chilenga-Butao and Tracy Ledger.

Daily Maverick (5 March 2019) ‘Not Knowing What The Problem Is, Is The Problem’ by Tracy Ledger.

Daily Maverick (6 October 2019) ‘We Already Have A Solution To Failing Municipalities: It’s In The Fineprint’ by Tracy Ledger.

Mail & Guardian (16 October 2019) ‘People Must Participate In Governance’ by Mbongiseni Buthelezi and Tracy Ledger.

Ledger, T. and S. Meny-Gibert (2018) ‘The Challenge of Prioritisation and Alignment in Public Sector Planning and Implementation: Literature Review’. A PARI and Twende Mbele report. Pretoria: Twende Mbele.

Ledger, T. and M. Rampedi (2018) ‘An analysis of the framework for financial emergencies in municipalities’. Report prepared for the National Treasury and the Development Bank of Southern Africa by PARI.

Ledger, T. (2017) An Empty Plate: Why We Are Losing the Battle for Our Food System, Why It Matters, and How We Can Win It Back. Johannesburg: Jacana Media.

Ledger, T., R. Brunette, F. Duca, I. Makukule and G. Tshimomola (2016) ‘2013/14 Red Zone Municipalities: Municipal Audit Outcomes Unpacked’. A PARI report. Johannesburg: Public Affairs Research Institute and South African Local Government Association.

Ledger, T. and Rampedi, M. (2016) ‘Evaluation of The Municipal Audit Support Programme (Masp)’. Report prepared for the South African Local Government Association by PARI.

Pearson, J., S. Pillay and T. Ledger (2015) ‘Financing the Future: Budget Reform in South Africa: 1994–2004’. Prepared by PARI for GSDPP and GTAC. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Development, Policy and Practice.

Ledger, T., C. Barberton, G. Tshimomola and S. Meny-Gibert (2014) ‘Expenditure and Performance Review: National Language Services’. Commissioned by the National Treasury, Pretoria.

van der Heijden, T. (2013) ‘Why the Lights Went Out: Reform in the South African Energy Sector’. A GSDPP teaching case study. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, Graduate School for Development Policy and Practice.

van der Heijden, T. (2013) ‘Turning the Tide: the Johannesburg Development Agency and its Role in Revitalising the Inner City. A GSDPP teaching case study. Cape Town: University of Cape Town, Graduate School for Development Policy and Practice.

van der Heijden, T. and Vink, N. 2013 ‘Good for whom? Supermarkets and small farmers in South Africa – A critical review of current approaches to increasing access to modern markets’ in Agrekon, Vol 52 (1).

van der Heijden, T., I. Chipkin and S. Meny-Gibert (2012) ‘Diagnostic Research Report on Corruption, Non-Compliance and Weak Organisations’. Prepared by PARI for the Technical Assistance Unit. Pretoria: The National Treasury of South Africa.