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I am interested both in the rigorous analysis of contemporary health policy issues (research 'for' policy) as well as research designed to improve understanding of how and why health and wider public policy is made and implemented in the way that it is (research 'on' policy). My research 'on' the policy process includes an analysis of the policy making style under the Labour Government of Tony Blair, a case study of the formation of the NHS Plan 2000 () and a study of major policy pilots in health and social care, and how they have been evaluated.

My main research activity 'for' policy relates to directing the Policy Innovation and Evaluation Research Unit (PIRU) which undertakes a mix of primary evaluation studies of new health and long term care policies and policy pilots in England, together with advice on the development and evaluation of pilots and demonstration programmes. The idea behind the Unit is to attempt to develop early stage engagement between researchers and policy makers in the development of policy innovations so that innovations are designed in ways that facilitate rigorous evaluation.

For example, PIRU is currently undertaking evaluations of the UK Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan, the Children and Young People's Mental Health Trailblazers and the Integrated Care and Support Pioneer Programme, as well as methodological work to improve the handling of selection bias in quasi-experimental evaluations using improved methods of matching. The Unit also studies the way in which evaluations of pilots are commissioned, designed and used in health and social care in England.

I have a longstanding interest in the role of primary health care in health systems, with a recent focus on the emergence of 'at scale' general practice organisations, including Primary Care Networks, in England. I collaborated on a review of the evidence on their development and effectiveness