Science and innovation shape societies and drive economies in powerful ways. In the 21st century, the balance of global science is shifting to Asia and new technologies are creating both opportunities and risks. The role of government in relation to science and innovation has never been more important - to ensure maximum return from its significant investments, to support “evidence-based” policy-making and to lead to the achievement of a range of policy objectives including competitiveness, security, sustainability and wellbeing. Yet at the same time, public and political debates about science and innovation have become increasingly contentious.
This course provides an integrated approach to these different dimensions of the relationships between science, technology, innovation, policy and politics. It highlights the important connections between traditionally separate fields, including both “policy for science” and “science for policy”. It allows students to engage with a range of policy-makers and actual cases, while also examining leading international research and relevant theory from a range of disciplinary perspectives. The aim of the course is to empower students to address the challenges of science, innovation and policy in the 21st century with a new set of ideas and tools.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- An understanding of key ideas in science and innovation policy, and the limitations of these ideas.
- An awareness of the connections between different aspects of science, technology, innovation and policy, including to a range of other policy objectives and methods.
- An ability to evaluate specific cases and policies in light of relevant theory and insight from a range of academic disciplines.
- An ability to analyse new ideas about science, innovation and policy and convey these in a range of relevant ways.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment Task | Word Count | Assessment Value | Learning outcome to be assessed |
Contribution to Science, Innovation and Public Policy blog | TBD | 15% | 1, 2, 4 |
Presentation (20%) of case study and submission of case study paper (25%) | 2000 | 45% | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Major essay – questions designed to integrate across the main themes of the course | 3000 | 40% | 1, 2, 3 |
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
30 contact hours (15 weekly sessions x 2)
Assume same amount for reading, group work outside class, plus additional time for preparation of major essay.
Prescribed Texts
D. Sarewitz (2007), ‘Does Science Policy Matter?’, Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2007.
R. Pielke Jr. (2007), The Honest Broker: Making Sense of Science, Policy and Politics, Cambridge University Press
D. Stokes (1997), Pasteur’s Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovations, Brookings Institution Press
Assumed Knowledge
The course does not assume in-depth scientific knowledge.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3252 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4638 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
