Part 1. Theorising, teaching and learning about policymaking

Public policy theory, practice and teaching: Investigating the interactions – Trish Mercer, Russell Ayres, Brian Head and John Wanna

A quixotic quest? Making theory speak to practice – David Threlfall and Catherine Althaus

What can policy theory offer busy practitioners? Investigating the Australian experience – Trish Mercer

Delivering public policy programs to senior executives in government—the Australia and New Zealand School of Government 2002–18 – John Wanna

How do policy professionals in New Zealand use academic research in their work? – Karl Löfgren and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton

The dilemmas of managing parliament: Promoting awareness of public management theories to parliamentary administrators – Val Barrett

Part 2. Putting policymaking theory into practice

Public policy processes in Australia: Reflections from experience – Meredith Edwards

Using the policy cycle: Practice into theory and back again – Russell Ayres

Succeeding and failing in crafting environment policy: Can public policy theories help? – Kathleen Mackie

Understanding the policymaking enterprise: Foucault among the bureaucrats – Craig Ritchie

The practical realities of policy on the run: A practitioner's response to academic policy frameworks – Louise Gilding

Documenting the link between policy theory and practice in a government department: A map of sea without any land – Andrew Maurer

Part 3. How can theory better inform practice and vice versa?

Taking lessons from policy theory into practice – Paul Cairney

Synthesising models, theories and frameworks for public policy: Implications for the future – Allan McConnell

Public policy theory, practice and skills: Advancing the debate – John Wanna, Russell Ayres, Brian Head and Trish Mercer