Tom Birkland is a Professor of Public Policy in the Department of Public Administration in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at NC State University. He joined the faculty in 2007 after 12 years on the faculty in the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. Birkland’s research is generally focused on the public policy process. In particular, he studies the role of significant events in creating the conditions for policy change. He is also the Associate Dean for Research and Engagement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences here at NC State.