Politics, Policy and Public Administration in Theory and Practice

Abstract

This festschrift celebrates the extensive contribution John Wanna has made to the research and practice of politics, policy and public administration.John has had a close association with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) since its creation in 2003. In 2004, he was appointed the inaugural Sir John Bunting Professor of Public Administration at The Australian National University (ANU) and ANZSOG's director of research. In this role he has ensured ANZSOG continues to bridge research and practice, guiding our conferences and workshops to address contemporary issues and challenges, drawing on known theoretical frameworks and academic research, while also promoting new research and organising publication of a broad range of material from both academics and practitioners, offering lessons from past and current public administration and policy issues for the future. After 15 years in this role, the ANZSOG series, which John edited for ANU Press, has produced over 50 books that have been downloaded well over 2 million times globally.John's contribution goes well beyond his work for ANZSOG. He edited the Australian Journal of Public Administration (AJPA) for nearly 20 years, ensuring the journal was relevant to practitioners while also meeting exacting academic standards. I first met John in Queensland in the early 90s. He played a central role in Griffith University's impressive team of public administration scholars in the 1990s and 2000s under Pat Weller's leadership. And he has built a well-deserved international reputation comparing Australian practice and developments to those in a wide range of other countries.