Public Policy

We generate world-leading insights on the relationship between research evidence, policymaking, and policy. It allows us study and encourage evidence-informed policy learning between governments (and government agencies), and analyse the extent to which government policies prevent policy problems and reduce inequalities. As such, our research has contributed new insights on the past, present, and future of energy and environmental policy, housing and homelessness policy, gender equality policy, and public health (including tobacco, alcohol and food) policy.

This work contributes to a wider intellectual vision in Politics: to be at the heart of international and interdisciplinary political research. We focus on specific global policy problems in which Politics as a discipline has a pivotal role. Specific issues include human rights and global justice, climate change and resource conflict, and a changing global order that has prompted diverse responses, from transnational cooperation to new demands for constitutional and political change. We provide insights from disciplinary specialisms - including public policy, international conflict and cooperation, human rights and area studies - to support multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Related outputs

The politics of institutionalizing preventive health

Boswell J, Cairney P & Denny ES (2019) The politics of institutionalizing preventive health. Social Science and Medicine, 228, pp. 202-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.02.051

Why Isn't Government Policy More Preventive?

Cairney P & St Denny E (2020) Why Isn't Government Policy More Preventive?. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/why-isn-t-government-policy-more-preventive-9780198793298?lang=en&cc=nl#

A systematic review of energy systems: The role of policymaking in sustainable transitions

Munro FR & Cairney P (2020) A systematic review of energy systems: The role of policymaking in sustainable transitions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 119, Art. No.: 109598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109598

Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach in new political contexts: Consolidation, configuration, and new findings

Shephard DD, Ellersiek A, Meuer J, Rupietta C, Mayne R & Cairney P (2020) Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach in new political contexts: Consolidation, configuration, and new findings. Governance. https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12521

Group Dynamics and Interplay in UN Disarmament Forums

Dee M (2020) Group Dynamics and Interplay in UN Disarmament Forums. In: Laatikainen K & Smith K (eds.) Group Politics in UN Multilateralism. Diplomatic Studies, 16. Leiden: Brill | Nijhoff, pp. 177-195. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004384446_011

UK Diplomacy at the UN after BREXIT: Challenges and Opportunities

Dee M & Smith KE (2017) UK Diplomacy at the UN after BREXIT: Challenges and Opportunities. British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 19 (3), pp. 527-542. https://doi.org/10.1177/1369148117710208

Beyond the resource curse and pipeline conspiracies: Energy as a social relation in the Middle East

Hoffmann C (2018) Beyond the resource curse and pipeline conspiracies: Energy as a social relation in the Middle East. Energy Research and Social Science, 41, pp. 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.04.025

Neo-Ottomanism, Eurasianism or securing the region? A longer view on Turkey's interventionism

Hoffmann C (2019) Neo-Ottomanism, Eurasianism or securing the region? A longer view on Turkey's interventionism. Conflict, Security and Development, 19 (3), pp. 301-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2019.1608016

UK policy on football supporters' trusts: a 'window of opportunity' generated and exploited by the co-operative party

Kippin S (2019) UK policy on football supporters' trusts: a 'window of opportunity' generated and exploited by the co-operative party. British Politics, 14 (4), pp. 408-425. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41293-018-00096-y

Policy learning to reduce inequalities: the search for a coherent Scottish gender mainstreaming policy in a multilevel UK

Cairney P, St Denny E & Kippin S (2020) Policy learning to reduce inequalities: the search for a coherent Scottish gender mainstreaming policy in a multilevel UK. Territory, Politics, Governance. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622671.2020.1837661

Aye or Nae: The Referendum Experience in Scotland 1979-2014

Lynch P (2019) Aye or Nae: The Referendum Experience in Scotland 1979-2014. Cardiff: Welsh Academic Press.

Adamson K & Lynch P (eds.) (2014) Scottish Political Parties and the 2014 Independence Referendum. Political Studies. Cardiff: Welsh Academic Press. http://www.welsh-academic-press.com/Welsh%20Academic%20Press/Political%20Parties%20and%20the%20Scottish%20Independence%20Referendum%202014.html

From the Local to the Global: Learning About the Adverse Human Rights Effects of Climate Policies

Schapper A (2020) From the Local to the Global: Learning About the Adverse Human Rights Effects of Climate Policies. Environmental Politics, 29 (4), pp. 628-648. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2020.1743423

Human Rights and the Environment: Key Issues

Atapattu S & Schapper A (2019) Human Rights and the Environment: Key Issues. Key Issues in Environment and Sustainability. Abingdon: CRC Press. https://www.crcpress.com/Human-Rights-and-the-Environment-Key-Issues/Atapattu-Schapper/p/book/9781138722750

Cultural Politics and the Transatlantic Divide over GMOs

Stephan H (2015) Cultural Politics and the Transatlantic Divide over GMOs. Basingstoke: Palgrave. http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/cultural-politics-and-the-transatlantic-divide-over-gmos-hannes-r-stephan/?isb=9780230284579

Shaping the Scope of Conflict in Scotland's Fracking Debate: Conflict Management and the Narrative Policy Framework

Stephan H (2020) Shaping the Scope of Conflict in Scotland's Fracking Debate: Conflict Management and the Narrative Policy Framework. Review of Policy Research, 37 (1), pp. 64-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/ropr.12365