The 'Showcase' series

摘要

In this issue we are publishing the first of a new 'Showcase' series. The series invites readers to become familiar with some leading research units and centres in different countries. Many centres worldwide produce high quality research, which provides an important input into evidence-based policy and practice and that often has relevance beyond the country of origin. Although the research community is probably aware of the leading researchers and familiar with some of the work, all too often language and time restrictions act as barriers to a full appreciation of the corpus of research stemming from a particular centre. It is interesting, too, to reflect on the evolution of research within Centres and the social and political contexts that have led to the emergence of new centres or to the changing focus of research within longer-established units.