I am Professor of Public Policy Practice in the School of Law and Government in Dublin City University where I manage the graduate programmes in public policy. My research is mainly on Irish politics and public policy particularly the area of local and urban governance. I also work in the areas of public participation and deliberation, and civil society involvement in public policy formulation. In addition, I serve as the Chairperson of the Board of Pobal, the national public agency supporting communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development. I also serve on a number of advisory committees at national and municipal level.