Firmly grounded in both social science and political science, An Introduction to the Policy Process provides the most up-to-date and thorough overview of the theory and practice of the policy process, ideal for upper-level undergraduate and introductory graduate courses in Public Policy, Public Administration, and Political Science programs.
Thomas A. (Tom) Birkland is a Professor of Public Policy at North Carolina State University, where he is also the Associate Dean for Research and Engagement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds degrees from the University of Oregon (BA), Rutgers University (MA), and the University of Washington, Seattle (PhD). At North Carolina State he teaches courses on disaster policy and on the policy process. Dr. Birkland’s research is in theories of the policy process, focusing on agenda change, policy change, and learning. He is also an internationally known expert on policies related to natural disasters and industrial accidents. He is the author of two books on the subject, Lessons of Disaster and After Disaster, as well as many journal articles. In 2020 After Disaster won the Aaron Wildavsky Enduring Contribution Award for best book or article published in the past 20-30 years, generating a major impact on the field.