"I have been doing research and editing in comparative public administration for the last twenty five years. I have always found the International Review of Administrative Sciences indispensable reading. It provides us with articles containing glimpses of new theoretical thinking, but also with accounts of best practices introduced by governments around the world." Ignacio Pichardo, Former President of IIAS, El Colegio Mexiquense "International Review of Administrative Sciences offers thought-provoking contributions from both scholars and practitioners on a wide variety of topics related to international and comparative administration. Few journals can match IRAS in presenting timely analysis, dialogue, and debate on administrative issues from the industrialized countries of the global North, both in Europe and the Americas, and from the developing and transitioning nations of the global South." Derick W. Brinkerhoff, RTI Senior Fellow in International Public Management Research Triangle Institute This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

International Review of Administrative Sciences is an international peer-reviewed journal devoted to academic and professional public administration. Founded in 1927 it is the oldest scholarly public administration journal specifically focused on comparative and international topics. IRAS seeks to shape the future agenda of public administration around the world by encouraging reflection on international comparisons, new techniques and approaches, the dialogue between academics and practitioners, and debates about the future of the field itself. IRAS is the official journal of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), the European Group of Public Administration (EGPA) and the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA). IRAS is published in four different language editions – English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

The IIAS exists to advance the study and practice of public administration and public management. It operates at a global level and is funded by states world-wide; but is independent of any of them and, through its links with the United Nations, seeks to develop a voice and vision that is neutral, as objective as possible and grounded in the exigency of the fact. Although it has existed for over seventy years (since 1930), the Institute's focus is on the present and the future. How governance is done and how it could be done better; how the law of administration applies and how it might be applied more correctly; and how the management of public affairs is conducted and how it might be done best - all of these reflect its activities. Accountability is a core value for the institute. Those who exercise authority must account for its use to those on whose behalf they use it. Public Administration is the key activity that connects between the power-holders and the citizen. We believe it should be effective, efficient and economical in its execution of the duties and rights of the state. We support modern governance and proper public administration and believe these should be carried out in a way that actively acknowledges diversity, that is respectful of identity and serious belief and that reflects balance.

IRAS is the longest standing truly international journal. IRAS first appeared in 1927. It is the oldest academic and professional public administration journal specifically focused on comparative and international topics.

Unprecedented international reach. If accepted by IRAS your article will be published in three different language editions of IRAS: English, French and Mandarin Chinese.

Contemporary cutting edge relevance and impact. IRAS is shaping the future agenda of public administration around the globe – international comparisons, new techniques and approaches, the dialogue between academics and practitioners and debates about the future of the field itself mark IRAS apart from its competitors.

Online Submission and peer review. To manage increasing numbers of submissions, IRAS has now adopted state-of-the-art SAGETRACK software, powered by ScholarOne’s Manuscript Central. Thus the paper will be processed faster and published quicker.

High visibility IRAS and its complete English language deep back file is available online via SAGE Journals Online, hosted by the world’s leading electronic content provider, HighWire Press. It is fully indexed and ranked in the Public Administration category of the Thomson Scientific (formerly ISI) Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

Submissions to the Journal are accepted only online, from where they are transferred into the peer-review system. Please submit your article (7000 words maximum) here .

For guidelines on format please see here

In 2018, the following special issues were published:

Vol. 84 2 June 2018

Innovation in the Public Sector

Guest editors: Victor Bekkers and Lars Tummers (NL)

Vol. 84 3 September 2018

Making connections: hybrid networks and public action

Guest editors: Nassera Touati and Deena White (Canada)

Vol. 84 4 December 2018

Inter-Municipal Cooperation in Europe

Guest editors: Paweł Swianiewicz (Poland) and Filipe Teles (Portugal)

For 2019, the following theme issue will be published:

Vol. 85 1 March 2019

Post-NPM: myth, model, not meaningful at all? Exploring social service reforms in Europe Guest Editors: Tanja Klenk & Renate Reiter (Germany).