SRA Course ‘Research into policy and practice’ What policy makers and practitioners want: an...
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Transcript of SRA Course ‘Research into policy and practice’ What policy makers and practitioners want: an...
SRA Course ‘Research into policy and practice’
What policy makers and practitioners want: an
insider view
Though there are similarities....
Perspectives can be quite different
or....
Or even ......
Perspectives can be quite different
• Minister• Senior Gov’t official• Local politician• Local Gov’t officer• Opposition politician• Delivery Charity (eg Housing Association)
• Campaigning charity• Media editor/journalist
Some Pressures on Ministers• Need to make an impact (short shelf life)• Manifesto commitments• Press campaigns• Pressure groups• Prime Minister• Chancellor• Party • Events/Headlines• Convictions
What do Ministers need?
Information and advice that is – * timely
* concise* clear* sets out facts and pressures* offers options* evaluates* recommends
What do policy officials need?
• Data as up to date as possible• Especially trends and projections• Good analysis of impact of existing policies• ‘Best is enemy of good’ – universities pursue
the advancement of human knowledge; government manages aspects of the economy and society to improve our quality of life in the short, medium and long term
What should you give them?
• Obviously the best analysis, based on the best material you have, in the time available.
• But also your best judgement of:– what that analysis is telling you – what policy conclusions you would draw – what the analysis is not telling you – what more analysis should/could be done/by
when/how much would it improve decision-making• And you should give a heads-up when your analysis is
picking up potential issues, which have not yet reached policy makers
The Local Councillor• Councils have many statutory duties, which
they are under pressure to deliver• Additional services are more marginal – but
often important to voters• What Councillors do affects the people who
directly vote for them• So does the Council Tax they set – (which can be
capped by Gov’t)
• Will want influence Gov’t policy in its favour
The Local Gov’t Officer• Is subject to much more detailed control by
politicians than in central gov’t• And more likely to affected by a change in the
local wind• And more likely to be personally blamed for
delivery failures• But is more likely to be a service specialist
than Councillors or civil servants• And will be just as keen to influence policy of
councillors & government
The service delivery charity• Has many similarities with local government
and statutory service providers• Will have contracts to deliver and grant
conditions to fill• Will have to remain solvent year on year• Is more likely than LG to be able to control
the number of clients it has to deal with• But will always want to do more delivery and
to influence policy
The Opposition Politician• National or local, will want to prove that the
parties in Government don’t have it right• Will be looking for evidence of policy failures• But will also be looking for new ideas (clear
blue water)
• Some with no hope of office will support evidenced positions, regardless of cost
• But the closer to office they are, the more future costs will press on them
The Campaigning Charity
• Will always want to push the boundaries along• Won’t always be scrupulous about the
inferences it draws from research (or may just be over-enthusiastic)
• Won’t necessarily balance opportunities and costs
• But could be very good at highlighting the results of your research
Media editor/journalist• Will have some principles and a regard for
truth (and lawyers to ensure this)• But is operating in a highly competitive
environment• So will look for headlines and scandals• And will always tend to oversimplify –
(especially in headlines/front pages)• Your caveats may well get lost in the short
term