School of Social and Political Science

Governance of welfare states

Description

What is the impact of welfare policy? How is policy made?

Our research on the governance of welfare states looks at the delivery and impact of welfare policies, analysing both the ways in which welfare is organised and the outcomes of welfare policy interventions.

We are equally interested in understanding how policy is made: who participates and through which kinds of processes?

What is the role of the state and non-state actors in policy-making and delivery?

Much of this research investigates welfare systems and their constituent parts from a European comparative perspective and builds on our strengths in core areas of welfare research, such as labour markets, education, or poverty and inequality. This might mean looking at the impact of active labour market policies in the UK and abroad, or the role of school inspections in governing education.

We also study the role of non-state actors, such as voluntary and international organisations, in policy-making and policy delivery.

Research support

These research aims have been realised through support from various funding sources including the:

  • European Research Council
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Leverhulme Trust
  • Independent Social Research Foundation

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