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Politics and International Relations
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Public Policy

The Public Policy Research Cluster at the University of York brings together scholars examining how public policies are designed, implemented and changed across sectors, levels of government and institutional settings. Its distinctive strength lies in connecting rigorous theory-driven inquiry with empirical analysis of policy structures, processes, and outcomes.

Our research pays particular attention to regulation, state capacity and design, and the politics of public service delivery. Core themes include how expertise and evidence shape policy choices; how rules, incentives and organisational arrangements affect implementation; and how policies adapt under pressure from technological change, crises, social demands and global interdependence. Substantively, we work on issues such as the regulation of digital platforms, climate and energy policy, health and social care delivery, public finance and accountability, and experimentalist approaches to EU governance.

Methodologically diverse and policy-engaged, the cluster aims to generate research that advances theory while speaking directly to contemporary challenges faced by governments, regulators and citizens.

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MA degrees
We offer several MA Programmes in Public Policy
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