Abstract
This paper introduces the Special Issue “Transformational Change through Public Policy”. After introducing the idea of transformational societal change, it asks how public policy scholarship can contribute to fostering it; the research questions we need to do so; what actors we need to study; who our audiences are; and how we need to expand our theories and methods. In our conclusion, we draw five lessons from the Special Issue articles. Transformational change (1) often results from many instances of policy changes over extended periods of time; (2) involves social movements that reconceptualise problems and possibilities; and (3) requires policy changes across sectors and levels of society, from local communities to national or global communities. As a field, Public Policy (4) will never offer detailed instructions to create transformational change in all circumstances, (5) but must involve scholars taking on different roles, from engaged scholarship to theory development that each provide unique contributions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 302–322 |
| Journal | Policy and Politics |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Jun 2022 |
Research Groups and Themes
- SPS Centre for Urban and Public Policy Research
Keywords
- public policy
- policy studies
- transformational change
- societal change
- climate change
- social movements
- engaged scholarship
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Bristol University Press at https://doi.org/10.1332/030557322X16546739608413. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.