My research focuses on the policy making process specifically the dynamics of the creation of policy and the role of external interests. I am also interested in how policy is implemented by a range of public service providers and issues relating to equality of access for service users. In specific, my work has looked at the impact of economic, social and political factors on changes in public services; the role of voluntary sector organisations in the creation and delivery of social policy; the privatisation of education and the development of education policy; and the history of social policy and the mixed economy of welfare. I am co-editor for the forthcoming book Understanding Public Services: A Contemporary Introduction.