Professor Michael Mintrom is an authority on public policy processes and advocacy. His award-winning research on policy entrepreneurship has been highly influential. He began his career as an economist and budget analyst in the New Zealand Treasury. Throughout his academic career, Michael has advanced knowledge of effective policy development, how policies can have strong, positive impacts, and how academic research can better inform practice. His models of strategic policy development have had significant impact across various areas of government activity, nationally and internationally. He has considerable experience in strategic advising and leading program reviews. In recognition of his scholarship, Michael has received both the Miriam K. Mills award and the Theodore J. Lowi prize from the US Policy Studies Association. He has also served as the elected President of the Public Policy section of the American Political Science Association.