The focus of my research is on the patterns and actors of governance as policy process. In a variety of empirical research I have studied the elements of the policy cycle, that is, agenda setting, policy formulation, decision-making and implementation, under different angles. More particularly, I have made research on (1) how do specific problems become part of the political agenda and what is the role of specific policy actors in agenda setting, (2) which actors participate in the process of policy formulation, (3) what are the patterns and dynamics of decision-making, (4) what are the factors that influence the effective imnplementation of policies. Beyond examining the general patterns of the policy process as such, I have made inquiries at specific policy fields as well, namely, that of environmental policy, penal policy and education. My research is primarily about the empirical analysis of the Hungarian policy process, but I employ both theoretical and comparative perspectives as well in my work.