“Science and technology (S&T) affect—and insights rooted in understanding of S&T therefore are germane to formulating policy about—practically every issue on the agenda of governments: the economy, public health, education, energy, agriculture, environment, defence, diplomacy, and more" (Professor John Holdren, former Assistant to President Obama for Science & Technology and Director, White House Office of Science & Technology Policy). Australia is no less in need of understanding the interactions of science and technology with policy. This understanding includes the evidence S&T can provide to underpin policy, and the areas where science and technology could influence the directions of Australia in the absence of effective policy.

This course provides a comprehensive approach to exploring the interactions between science, technology and public policy across a suite of policy areas. It is built on a novel teaching collaboration between two ANU Colleges (Asia and the Pacific; and Science), bringing together expertise from the Crawford School of Public Policy and the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS).

It will be interactive, and every session will use policy experts along with academic staff to ensure relevance and depth in the analyses. The course will be flexible, and arranged to maximise access by students who may be either full or part-time. It will consist of two 6-unit components; the first will be a prerequisite for the second. The first 6 units will be split between sessions exploring theoretical and practical underpinnings of how science, technology and public policy are undertaken and case studies exploring how these underpinnings play out, and might need to be revised, in real-world public policy situations. The second 6 units will consist entirely of case studies of increasing complexity as students hone their skills in extracting lessons and developing deeper understanding from examples presented by experienced academics and practitioners of public policy.

Students will be allowed to take its first 6 units or the full 12 units as contributions towards a postgraduate qualification, the 12 unit option contributing to a Science, Technology and Public Policy specialization.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand major themes in studies of the relationship between scientific/technical evidence and other inputs into policy-making
2. Develop robust ways of assessing diverse sources and forms of evidence for policy analysis and policy-making
3. Understand key challenges in governing scientific and technological research and innovation, and the salient frameworks put forward for coping with these issues
4. Critically reflect on lessons from a series of case studies at the interface of science, technology and public policy
5. Recognise demands for transparency in STPP and develop better ways of engaging at the interface of science, technology, the public and other stakeholders

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to key knowledge and cross-cutting issues	500 word reflection on key issues for science, technology and public policy
2	Case study: Transformation potential of applied Augmented Intelligence (AI) to government-to-citizen service delivery (co-convened with the Australian Government Department of Human Services)	500-word reflections on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators + 500 word policy brief based on case study
3	Case study: Data analytics and social trust, bias and ethical implications of transforming to an intelligently automated delivery organisation (co-convened with the Australian Government Department of Human Services)	500-word reflections on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators + 500 word policy brief based on case study
4	Case study: Environmental Biosecurity in Australia (co-convened with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources)	500-word reflections on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators + 500 word policy brief based on case study
5	Case study: Australian Space Agency: A case study of priority-setting in R&D and technology policy (co-convened with the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science)	500-word reflections on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators + 500 word policy brief based on case study
6	Synthesis	500-word reflection re-assessing the key issues for science, technology and public policy in light of the course and the case studies

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflection on Introduction to STPP	10 %	03/04/2019	17/04/2019	1,2,3,5
Case study 1 - Augmented intelligence - Pre-workshop submission	5 %	27/03/2019	02/05/2019	4
Case study 1 - Augmented intelligence - After-workshop policy brief	15 %	11/04/2019	02/05/2019	4
Case study 2 - Data analytics - Pre-workshop submission	5 %	03/04/2019	09/05/2019	4
Case study 2 - Data analytics - After-workshop policy brief	15 %	18/04/2019	09/05/2019	4
Case study 3 - Env. Biosecurity - Pre-workshop submission	5 %	10/04/2019	30/05/2019	4
Case study 3 - Env. Biosecurity - After-workshop policy brief	15 %	16/05/2019	30/05/2019	4
Case study 4 - Space Agency - Pre-workshop submission	5 %	22/05/2019	20/06/2019	4
Case study 4 - Space Agency - After-workshop policy brief	15 %	06/06/2019	20/06/2019	4
Final synthesis	10 %	13/06/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Attendance in-person at the Introductory workshop is a requirement for completion of this course. If illness or other exceptional circumstances make this impossible, a student may apply for permission to review a recording of this workshop and submit the assessment from that viewing. Enrolled students must complete this workshop to proceed to the case studies. Public service participants taking only part of the course are encouraged to take this Introductory workshop before taking part in case studies, but, if that is not possible, they may view an on-line summary of the Introductory material to allow them to take part in one or more case studies. In the latter case, participants must eventually take part in a face to face Introductory workshop and assessment to complete this course.

Assessment Task 1

Reflection on Introduction to STPP

Prepare a 500-word synthesis of the topics covered in the Introductory workshop, identifying key themes and issues and posing a set of questions to be addressed in case studies

Assessment Task 2

Case study 1 - Augmented intelligence - Pre-workshop submission

Submit, prior to the case-study workshop, a 500-word reflection on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators, based on your own experience and the set readings (5%). Due 1700 on 27 March

Assessment Task 3

Case study 1 - Augmented intelligence - After-workshop policy brief

Submit, after the workshop, a 500-word policy brief for a Minister on the case study, explaining the nature of the issues, how science and technology appears to be[SR1] advancing, and what the implications are for policy (15%). Due 1700 on 11 April

Assessment Task 4

Case study 2 - Data analytics - Pre-workshop submission

Submit, prior to the case-study workshop, a 500-word reflection on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators, based on your own experience and the set readings (5%). Due 1700 on 3 April

Assessment Task 5

Case study 2 - Data analytics - After-workshop policy brief

Submit, after the workshop, a 500-word policy brief for a Minister on the case study, explaining the nature of the issues, how science and technology appears to be[SR1] advancing, and what the implications are for policy (15%). Due 1700 on 18 April

Assessment Task 6

Case study 3 - Env. Biosecurity - Pre-workshop submission

Submit, prior to the case-study workshop, a 500-word reflection on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators, based on your own experience and the set readings (5%). Due 1700 on 10 April

Assessment Task 7

Case study 3 - Env. Biosecurity - After-workshop policy brief

Submit, after the workshop, a 500-word policy brief for a Minister on the case study, explaining the nature of the issues, how science and technology appears to be[SR1] advancing, and what the implications are for policy (15%). Due 1700 on 16 May

Assessment Task 8

Case study 4 - Space Agency - Pre-workshop submission

Submit, prior to the case-study workshop, a 500-word reflection on the case study issues and questions for the expert facilitators, based on your own experience and the set readings (5%). Due 1700 on 22 May

Assessment Task 9

Case study 4 - Space Agency - After-workshop policy brief

Submit, after the workshop, a 500-word policy brief for a Minister on the case study, explaining the nature of the issues, how science and technology appears to be[SR1] advancing, and what the implications are for policy (15%). Due 1700 on 6 June

Assessment Task 10

Final synthesis

Submit a 500-word reflection re-assessing the key issues for science, technology and public policy in light of the course and the case studies

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students