Beyond the dreaming spires: Julian V Roberts as scholar and policy entrepreneur

Policy entrepreneurs are people who, by their publications, intellectual authority, public presentations, and networking skills, act as promoters or champions of an idea or institution. They spread policy ideas, or the theoretical, conceptual, or intellectual underpinnings of policies which ultimately influence reform in the form of new laws or the establishment of new institutions. In the area of sentencing guidance and sentencing commissions, Julian V Roberts has been both a pioneer and champion of structured sentencing guidance through sentencing guidelines and sentencing commissions or councils. Adopting the theoretical framework of ‘policy transfer’, also called policy diffusion, this chapter identifies Roberts’ role and influence in promoting structured sentencing regimes in England and Wales and beyond. It identifies not only his mastery of sentencing theory and practice but his advocacy for the cause through his widely cited publications, teaching, editorship of books and journals, conference curation, joint authorship, graduate supervisions, membership of sentencing councils, visiting professorships, and personal visits and presentations at national and international conferences. It recognizes Roberts’ commitment, energy, tenacity, credibility, sociability, networking skills, and ability to engage with multiple audiences, all of which have made him one of the most respected and influential sentencing academics of his time.