A pathway to a stronger research culture in health policy.

Background: There are currently limited pathways into a career in health policy research in Australia, due in part to a serious absence of health policy research capability in Australian universities. Discussion: We define what we consider health policy research and education should comprise. We then examine what is currently on offer and propose ways to strengthen health policy research in Australia. Summary: This paper, which is part analysis and part commentary, is offered to provoke wider debate about how health policy research can be nurtured in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]