Policy and Politics

Aims & Scope

Policy & Politics is a world-leading journal that is committed to advancing our understanding of the dynamics of policy-making and implementation.

By exploring the interplay between political actors, governing institutions and policy issues, the journal contributes to theories of the policy process.

By reflecting on the evolving context in which these interactions occur, it provides critical insights that are timely and fresh.

Policy & Politics has an international reputation in the fields of political science, public administration and social policy.

It is committed to publishing articles that are original and innovative; that engage with the world’s most pressing policy issues; and that have relevance both within and beyond academe.

The journal welcomes manuscripts that are empirical, conceptual or theoretical, as long as the broader international relevance of the argument is explicit.

It is critical that all articles demonstrate a clear contribution to knowledge, and it is crucial that articles are explicit about the specific empirical and/or theoretical advance that it offers.

One of the hallmarks of the journal is the manner in which its articles generally shift from the micro to the macro (or vice versa) by addressing the link between ‘policy’ and ‘politics’.

For example, while single-case studies might form the basis of an article, the broader significance and relevance of that study must be made explicit.

Where articles deal with broad macro-political or economic issues they may also drill-down to some discussion of the micro-level implications of that analysis.

Successful articles will generally demonstrate both analytical breadth and depth in the coverage of their subject matter.

Articles must be written in a clear and accessible style suitable for a multi-disciplinary and global audience.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	3.1
2024	4.30

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.413

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	72

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	2648

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	515

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Environmental Science and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Who should get what, and why? On deservingness criteria and the conditionality of solidarity among the public

  Citation: 608

  Authors: Wim van

• The politics of the new social policies: providing coverage against new social risks in mature welfare states

  Citation: 408

  Authors: Giuliano

• Governance network theory: past, present and future

  Citation: 248

  Authors: Erik-Hans, Joop

• Thematic Review: Welfare regime debate: past, present, futures?

  Citation: 214

  Authors: Emanuele, Martin

• Rethinking depoliticisation: beyond the governmental

  Citation: 209

  Authors: Matt, Matthew

• From tools to toolkits in policy design studies: the new design orientation towards policy formulation research

  Citation: 204

  Authors: Michael, Ishani, Jun Jie

• Developments in intergovernmental relations: towards multi-level governance

  Citation: 203

  Authors: B. Guy, Jon

• Relational wellbeing: re-centring the politics of happiness, policy and the self

  Citation: 185

  Authors: Sarah C

• Improving policy implementation through collaborative policymaking

  Citation: 164

  Authors: Christopher, Eva, Jacob

• Three habits of successful policy entrepreneurs

  Citation: 152

  Authors: Paul

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