DESIGNING RESEARCH TO INFLUENCE POLICY:DESIGNING RESEARCH TO INFLUENCE POLICY:RECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGERECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE

[PART I][PART I]

BYBYLORNE FOSTER LORNE FOSTER

YORK UNIVERSITYYORK UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY OUTLINERESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY OUTLINE

I)I) Situating the Academic Research Tradition in the Situating the Academic Research Tradition in the “Public Policy Space”“Public Policy Space”

  

II)II) Sources / Authority / Influence Model-lingSources / Authority / Influence Model-ling    [And [And Trends Toward]Trends Toward]

Collaborative knowledge modelCollaborative knowledge model Knowledge mobilizationKnowledge mobilization

  

III)III) Conclusions Enhancing Research-Action LinkagesConclusions Enhancing Research-Action Linkages

Toward systematic advice on how to maximize the academic Toward systematic advice on how to maximize the academic impacts of researchimpacts of research

Policy entrepreneurship [Policy entrepreneurship [issues require entrepreneurial issues require entrepreneurial responses from researchersresponses from researchers]]

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

Public Policy – “A decision or action of government that Public Policy – “A decision or action of government that addresses problems and issues.” addresses problems and issues.” www.congresslink.org/print_lp_whyneedcongress_voccb.htm

Public Policy-Making – “The process by which governments Public Policy-Making – “The process by which governments translate their political vision into… actions to deliver translate their political vision into… actions to deliver changes in the real world.” changes in the real world.” www.policyhub.gov.uk/evalpolicy/index.cap

The Policy Cycle – “The steps that display the sequential The Policy Cycle – “The steps that display the sequential flow, or a logical sequence of recurring events, in the policy flow, or a logical sequence of recurring events, in the policy process.” process.” http://profwork.org/pp/study/cycle.html

THE POLICY CYCLETHE POLICY CYCLE

THE SCIENTIFIC TRADITIONTHE SCIENTIFIC TRADITION‘THE CALLING’‘THE CALLING’

The responsibility of academic research is “to marshal The responsibility of academic research is “to marshal evidence and explanations so as to help to mobilize forces evidence and explanations so as to help to mobilize forces of change” – John Porter (1987: 3 – The Measure Of of change” – John Porter (1987: 3 – The Measure Of Canadian Society)Canadian Society)

In Porter’s sense, academic research is about gaining In Porter’s sense, academic research is about gaining understanding in order to provide people with participatory understanding in order to provide people with participatory resources.resources.

THE OSMOSIS STRATEGYTHE OSMOSIS STRATEGY

Conventionally, clinical and/or social research has been Conventionally, clinical and/or social research has been conceived as having osmotic properties – where it conceived as having osmotic properties – where it ‘naturally’ penetrates the membrane(s) of society – as a ‘naturally’ penetrates the membrane(s) of society – as a higher concentration of intelligence it equalizes the higher concentration of intelligence it equalizes the intelligence solution of society.intelligence solution of society.

A)A) Self-deprecating ‘lab ratting’ (under estimating Self-deprecating ‘lab ratting’ (under estimating import of work)import of work)

B)B) Self-denying “ivory towerism” (knowledge for Self-denying “ivory towerism” (knowledge for knowledge sake)knowledge sake)

C)C) Self-aggrandizing ‘scientism’ (unproblematic/ Self-aggrandizing ‘scientism’ (unproblematic/

authoritative discourse)authoritative discourse)

THE RECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE LENSTHE RECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE LENS

Today research is more and more recognized as one actor Today research is more and more recognized as one actor in the public policy-making processin the public policy-making process

Today most researchers understand it’s no longer enough Today most researchers understand it’s no longer enough to do research, write up the results and present them at a to do research, write up the results and present them at a conference of like-minded peers conference of like-minded peers

The work has to be mobilized–out of the ivory tower and The work has to be mobilized–out of the ivory tower and into the hands and minds of those who will use it to shape into the hands and minds of those who will use it to shape emerging policies and practices.emerging policies and practices.

Mobilize the forces of social change by mobilizing research Mobilize the forces of social change by mobilizing research out of its ivory tower out of its ivory tower

CONDISERING THE POLICY-MAKING SYSTEM TODAYCONDISERING THE POLICY-MAKING SYSTEM TODAY

As Carol Weiss notes, ‘‘instead of concentrating solely on As Carol Weiss notes, ‘‘instead of concentrating solely on the effect of research on individuals in policy-making the effect of research on individuals in policy-making positions positions [evaluators] have begun to take the policy- [evaluators] have begun to take the policy-making system as their canvas’’ (Weiss 2003: 5) .making system as their canvas’’ (Weiss 2003: 5) .

What does this mean? Two things, ‘process’ and ‘structure’:What does this mean? Two things, ‘process’ and ‘structure’:

1)1) Research is one actor in the public policy-making Research is one actor in the public policy-making process.process.

2)2) Build stakeholder considerations into your Build stakeholder considerations into your research [i.e., collaborative knowledge research [i.e., collaborative knowledge building models].building models].

WHO INFLUENCES PUBLIC POLICY:WHO INFLUENCES PUBLIC POLICY:THE POLICY-MAKING SYSTEM AS CANVASTHE POLICY-MAKING SYSTEM AS CANVAS

FISCALIZED NEOLIBERALISM AS A CONTEXT FISCALIZED NEOLIBERALISM AS A CONTEXT

Blending political views with emphasis on economic growth Blending political views with emphasis on economic growth and market reasoning – free market methods and profit and market reasoning – free market methods and profit motives.motives.

The elevation in the importance of this ‘fiscalized The elevation in the importance of this ‘fiscalized consciousness’ is often traced to the Johnson Administration consciousness’ is often traced to the Johnson Administration – 1960s – ‘– 1960s – ‘Great Society ReformsGreat Society Reforms’ – birth of “program ’ – birth of “program evaluation”. evaluation”.

Similarly in Canada – the 1990s is said to marked the rise of Similarly in Canada – the 1990s is said to marked the rise of ‘the debt, deficit, budgetary balance & surplus’ discourses ‘the debt, deficit, budgetary balance & surplus’ discourses that still dominate policy space.that still dominate policy space.

POLITICIANS AND SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS:POLITICIANS AND SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS: PUPLIC POLICY DECISION MAKERS PUPLIC POLICY DECISION MAKERS

They want research to be (1) collaborative (2) output-focused [service definitions and measures]

 

I. Bang for buck – fiscal / fiduciary responsibility

II. Reduce government ‘foot print’

III. Program evaluation with an outcome focus

In other words, researchers are often expected to be involved throughout the policy cycle – agenda-setting, option-formation, implementation & evaluation.

TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO POLICY AND TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO POLICY AND PRACTICEPRACTICE

To enhance the uptake of evidence-based interventions, To enhance the uptake of evidence-based interventions, several steps are needed to move science/ evidence-based several steps are needed to move science/ evidence-based research upstream:research upstream:

1)1) creating a research-use strategycreating a research-use strategy

2)2) place greater emphasis on workforce development/ place greater emphasis on workforce development/

outcome-focusedoutcome-focused

3)3) developing multi-format communication productsdeveloping multi-format communication products

4)4) breaking down barriers to usagebreaking down barriers to usage

5)5) using feedback effectivelyusing feedback effectively

POLICY SPACE TRENDS CENTRAL TO MODERN OR POLICY SPACE TRENDS CENTRAL TO MODERN OR POST-MODERN EPISTEMIC PRACTICE POST-MODERN EPISTEMIC PRACTICE

The reciprocity-exchange lens implies the authority of a more The reciprocity-exchange lens implies the authority of a more ‘collaborative market-based knowledge’ model for policy space‘collaborative market-based knowledge’ model for policy space

Collaborative knowledge management [in terms for the creation, Collaborative knowledge management [in terms for the creation, exchange, and transformation of knowledge] exchange, and transformation of knowledge]

Collaborative and out-put focused [service definitions and Collaborative and out-put focused [service definitions and measures]measures]

Cross-sector solutions to complex problemsCross-sector solutions to complex problems

Relationships and networks [as opposed to concentrating solely on Relationships and networks [as opposed to concentrating solely on the effect of research on individuals in policy-making positions’’]the effect of research on individuals in policy-making positions’’]

RECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE TOOLBOXRECIPROCITY AND EXCHANGE TOOLBOX

Knowledge Mobilization – process to make research matter more Knowledge Mobilization – process to make research matter more in policy and practice for the benefit of society in policy and practice for the benefit of society “…moving “…moving knowledge into active service for the broadest possible common knowledge into active service for the broadest possible common good.” (SSHRC, 2008, para 5)good.” (SSHRC, 2008, para 5)

Community Engagement – “The purpose of community Community Engagement – “The purpose of community engagement is to involve the public in decisions that will engagement is to involve the public in decisions that will ultimately affect their lives. This requires interaction and ultimately affect their lives. This requires interaction and communication between citizens, scientists and policy-makers.” communication between citizens, scientists and policy-makers.” (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 2003).(Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 2003).

Social Innovation – is a novel solution to a social problem that is Social Innovation – is a novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than present solutions more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than present solutions and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals. whole rather than private individuals. http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/social-innovation

SIX LESSONS HELPING RESEARCHERS BECOME SIX LESSONS HELPING RESEARCHERS BECOME POLICY ENTREPRENEURSPOLICY ENTREPRENEURS

1.1. Policy processes are complex and rarely linear or logical.Policy processes are complex and rarely linear or logical.

2.2. Many policy processes are only weakly informed by Many policy processes are only weakly informed by research-based evidence.research-based evidence.

3.3. Research-based evidence can contribute to policies that Research-based evidence can contribute to policies that have a dramatic impact on lives [careful combination of have a dramatic impact on lives [careful combination of pilot field-level projects, institutional research and pilot field-level projects, institutional research and proactive communication].proactive communication].

4.4. Policy entrepreneurs need a holistic understanding of the Policy entrepreneurs need a holistic understanding of the context in which they are working [social contexts of context in which they are working [social contexts of issues and solution].issues and solution].

5.5. Policy entrepreneurs need clear intent [building Policy entrepreneurs need clear intent [building multidisciplinary teams, multidisciplinary teams,

POLICY ENTREPRENEURSHIPPOLICY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A policy entrepreneur can be defined as “an individual who A policy entrepreneur can be defined as “an individual who exploits an opportunity to influence policy outcomes in exploits an opportunity to influence policy outcomes in order to maximize his/her self interests – without having the order to maximize his/her self interests – without having the resources required for achieving this goal alone” (Cohen, resources required for achieving this goal alone” (Cohen, 2011).2011).

Policy entrepreneurship can be understood within more Policy entrepreneurship can be understood within more encompassing theorizations of policy change: encompassing theorizations of policy change: incrementalism, policy streams, institutionalism, incrementalism, policy streams, institutionalism, punctuated equilibrium [spurt theory], and advocacy punctuated equilibrium [spurt theory], and advocacy coalitions. Recent applications of policy entrepreneurship as coalitions. Recent applications of policy entrepreneurship as a key explanation of policy change are presented as models a key explanation of policy change are presented as models for future work. Room exists for further conceptual for future work. Room exists for further conceptual development and empirical testing.development and empirical testing.

WHAT WOULD A SYSTEMATIC AND WHAT WOULD A SYSTEMATIC AND ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH LOOK LIKE? ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH LOOK LIKE?

Recognizing academic-based research is only one type of Recognizing academic-based research is only one type of evidence that informs government decision-makingevidence that informs government decision-making

Early and ongoing involvement of decision-makersEarly and ongoing involvement of decision-makers Build the desired outcome into the research designBuild the desired outcome into the research design Recognize research and decision-making linkages are less of a Recognize research and decision-making linkages are less of a

product or event, but are on-going social processes.product or event, but are on-going social processes. Partnering competency – ‘relational contracting’ competenciesPartnering competency – ‘relational contracting’ competencies Community engagementCommunity engagement Facilitate collaborative researchFacilitate collaborative research Knowledge mobilization [Knowledge transfer]Knowledge mobilization [Knowledge transfer] User -oriented program evaluation approach User -oriented program evaluation approach Knowledge brokers should be the prime focus for km and kt Knowledge brokers should be the prime focus for km and kt

activities by academics and community researchers.activities by academics and community researchers. Multi-formatted public communicationMulti-formatted public communication

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

Research has to be reciprocity-and-exchange centred to Research has to be reciprocity-and-exchange centred to ‘mobilized–out’ of the ivory tower and into the hands and ‘mobilized–out’ of the ivory tower and into the hands and minds of those who will use it to shape emerging policies minds of those who will use it to shape emerging policies and practices.and practices.

Researchers need to design and conduct studies that are Researchers need to design and conduct studies that are policy relevant and to develop outcome-strategies to policy relevant and to develop outcome-strategies to translate their research into policy and practice translate their research into policy and practice

I.I. stakeholder consultation – linkage with those most directly stakeholder consultation – linkage with those most directly affectedaffected

II.II. knowledge mobilization – build stakeholder’s knowledge mobilization – build stakeholder’s considerations into your researchconsiderations into your research

III.III. research accessibility – in multiple formatsresearch accessibility – in multiple formats