Research

My research interests are contained in the “policy process” tradition of the policy subfield in Political Science. The way I think about the policy process is, in broad terms, reflected in my textbook An Introduction to the Policy Process (fifth edition, Routledge, 2018 ). In writing this book I was particularly interested in writing a book that would be useful to undergraduates and graduate students in interdisciplinary programs. One of my goals in writing the book was to explain to students how the study of social phenomena can be scientific, even if the way  we pursue knowledge differs in important ways from the natural and physical sciences. This textbook ecompasses both a basic curriculum in policy process studies and my personal philosophy about the research enterprise.

My theoretical contributions have primarily come in the area of agenda setting theory within the policy process tradition, although I have begun to transition from agenda setting to a broader range of interests, tying together policy failure, agenda setting, potential policy learning, and policy redesign. Many of my ideas are in a very early stage, and I look forward to the continuing dialogue with colleagues on this fascinating area of research.

In advancing policy theory, the substantive research has focused on role of disasters and crises in national and state policy making. I study disasters because they are inherently interesting, of course, but mostly because they provide excellent examples of agenda setting, rapid change, and policy learning. While these events are atypical in the broader policy process, their rapid onset allows us to study phenomena that, in other policy fields, often play out over decades, rather than a few years.

I greatly enjoy this research field because it is inherently interdisciplinary. My work encompasses sociology, political science, public administration, geography, engineering (across many disciplines), architecture, urban planning, and many other disciplines.

My first book, After Disaster, examines the agenda-setting power of disasters and accidents, called (after John Kingdon) focusing events. I later wrote Lessons of Disaster as a follow-up to After Disaster; this book relates focusing events, learning, and policy change. Research articles between the two books explore these and related themes.

As a result of these projects, I have become a very active member of the community of social scientists that studies natural hazards in the United States. I have also developed an interest in the politics of crisis management in the public and private sectors, and, because of my work in natural hazards, I have been drawn into some research on homeland security, and some of my writing has been very critical of the way in which natural hazard response has been conflated with homeland security, with significant consequences for all aspects of the disaster cycle: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

In recent years, my work has turned toward broader issues of agenda setting and policy change in the wake of major events and crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and I have been involved in research on water quality, Arctic emergency preparedness, and other fields. At the heart of all this work is a focus on the development and refinement of theories of the policy process in the United States. 

Prospective PhD Students

Thank you for your interest in working with me as a doctoral student.

My research focuses on the public policy process, particularly agenda setting, policy change, policy learning, and the role of focusing events, disasters, and crises in policymaking. While I have written extensively about disasters and emergency management, I view these subjects primarily as opportunities to understand broader questions about how public policy develops and changes.

Students who are interested in working with me should have a strong interest in policy process theories and the study of public policymaking. Relevant theoretical perspectives include, but are not limited to:

• Agenda-setting theory

• The Multiple Streams Framework

• The Advocacy Coalition Framework

• Punctuated Equilibrium Theory

• Policy learning and policy change

• Theories of institutions and governance

Students whose primary interest is professional emergency management practice, disaster response operations, hazard mitigation, or technical aspects of disaster management may find that their interests align better with other faculty members.

Prospective students should also have a solid background in American politics, public policy, and public administration. Because much of my work examines policymaking in the United States, familiarity with American political institutions, federalism, Congress, the presidency, administrative agencies, and state and local government is particularly valuable.

When contacting me, it is helpful if you can explain:

1. Which policy process theories interest you and why.

2. What research questions you would like to study.

3. How your proposed research connects to the public policy literature.

4. Why you believe my research is relevant to your interests.

Emails that simply state an interest in disasters, crisis management, resilience, or emergency management without discussing broader policy questions make it difficult for me to assess whether there is a good match between your interests and my expertise.

I welcome inquiries from students who are interested in using disasters, crises, focusing events, and related phenomena to better understand how public policy is made, changed, and implemented.