A new book on public services, co-edited by IER's Katharina Sarter has been published by Policy Press. 'Understanding Public Services. A Contemporary Introduction' provides an accessible and comprehensive account of the context within which public services operate, their core functions and internal workings and explores emerging and future developments and challenges.

Starting with a definition of public services as services provided by or on behalf of the state, the first chapters of this book explore the importance of the political, economic and legal context in which public services operate, followed by management, leadership and strategy of public services. The third part comprises chapters dedicated to emerging issues, namely the growing importance of sustainability as a guideline for public services’ operations, the interaction between public services and the environmental crisis, the equality impact of public services, and public services as actors in the mitigation of climate change. The conclusion summarises key developments and outlines their importance of public services of the future.