Drawing on ground-breaking research and partnerships, with contributions from senior public servants, this book explores the competing demands of different actors involved in policy change. Combined with differing theoretical perspectives, it provides a uniquely practical insight for those seeking to influence public policy.

Introduction - Crossing boundaries for better public policy Part I: Understanding the Policy Process 1. Lost in Translation: Knowledge, policy, politics and power 2. Opening Policy Windows with Evidence and Citizen Engagement: Addressing the social determinants of health inequalities 3. Policy Cycle Models: Are we throwing the baby out with the bath water? 4. Influencing Policy from Inside and Outside of Government Part II: Influencing Policy 5. Influencing Policy: Lessons from the health sector 6. Using Metrics for Policy Change 7. Evidence Based Policy: Why and how? 8. Using a Randomised Trial to Evaluate an Innovative Homelessness Intervention: The J2SI Pilot 9. Producing Change: An integrated model of social services, research and public policy advocacy Part III: Disrupting Business as Usual 10. The Effects of Hybridity on Local Governance: The case of social enterprise 11. How Better Methods for Coping with Uncertainty and Ambiguity can Strengthen Government-civil Society Collaboration 12. Performance Budgeting: The power to persuade, control or deceive? 13. Creating Joined-up Government: Challenging intuitive logic 14. Approaching Collaboration in Public Policy: Agency and efficacy Conclusion - Emerging themes and important lessons for progressing cross sectoral policy design and implementation: a discussion