Emeritus Professor R. A. B. Leaper and Social Policy & Administration.

The article focuses on professor R.A.B. Leaper and his contribution to the journal "Social Policy & Administration." Under his leadership, the achievements have been profound. This was the first of the British social policy journals. It came into being when British departments of social policy were few and mainly small. He increased the focus on applied policy analysis, though the journal continued to reflect the influence of basic social sciences. The content of the journal and membership of the Board increasingly reflected the broadening and deepening of the study of social policy: particularly in the increasing sophistication of much of the published scholarship, the internationalization of the foci of study, and of the networks created around them. Like the subject and its research, the journal acquired the virtues of greater professionalism, while in all respects maintaining balance. And the journal showed the benefits of Leaper's hard, patient work. All this was done with infinite tact, indeed, that great diplomatic finesse which has characterized all his contributions to British social policy.