The Policy Research Agenda for ASA and Policy

1
The Policy Research Agenda for ASA and Policy

• Dan Vickers

2

• A policy is a plan of action to guide decisions
  and actions. The term may apply to government,
  private sector organisations and groups, and
  individuals. The policy process includes the
  identification of different alternatives, such as
  programs or spending priorities, and choosing
  among them on the basis of the impact they will
  have. Policies in short can be understood as
  political, management, financial, and
  administrative mechanisms arranged to reach
  explicit goals.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
3

• It is a worthy aim to promote yourself by
  benefiting others

David Lloyd George
4
What do policy makers want?

• The same as academics?

NO

• Academics, want new and exciting ways of
  addressing a problem whereas policy makers just
  want an answer to act upon.
• However, this does not mean that policy led
  research doesnt lead to academic papers or to
  gaining knowledge and experience.

5
National policy Agenda Examples

• Demographics
• Urban Renewal
• Pensions
• Housing
• Education
• Inequality (Health, Social, Economic)
• Crime
• Environment (e.g. flood forecasting)

6
What do we do at the moment?

• Mainly small research projects
• Lead by senior staff
• Conducted by junior staff
• Not done in any defined way
• No (group) plan of how to develop research in
  this area

7
What could we do?

• Plan out how we can contribute to policy in
  various areas.
• Target policy makers in these areas.
• Maintain links with policy makers via the group
  rather than individuals.

8
How can we make this happen?

• Get the group name and identity out to policy
  makers.
• Webpage needs complete revamp
• Involvement of policy makers in launch event
• Policy Tsar for the group to identify areas we
  can contribute.
• Greater involvement of postgrads in small
  research projects.