This course introduces HDR students to the main paradigms, concepts, and approaches to researching public policy, and establishes the present and potential role of applied public policy interventions in effectively responding to key problems in the contemporary world. The course offers training and knowledge in the production, assessment and communication of research in public policy. The course provides a common introductory grounding in public policy as a multi-disciplinary field of research in both Australian and international contexts.
Fostering Public Policy Research orients students to the meaning of research excellence in public policy, from a variety of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. The course critically engages with public policy research methodologies and practices across key sub-disciplines.
Student engagement will be promoted through a series of lecture-discussions led by the Crawford School Director, and the four HDR programs in the Crawford School. The course will feature plenaries or roundtables with public policy experts and practitioners. Case studies of public policy interventions and outcomes will be presented and discussed. Students will reflect on how their HDR program will align with and engage with the concerns and methodologies of public policy research in Australia and/or internationally.
This is a compulsory course for all Crawford School PhD students.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain what public policy is, and why it matters.
- Exhibit fluency with key concepts and paradigms of public policy scholarship.
- Understand questions, methodological approaches, and practices of public policy research across key disciplines and contexts.
- Clarify how their PhD research aligns with the public policy discipline or public policy concerns.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation and discussion (35) [LO 1,2]
- Critical session or reading reflection papers (2) (250 words each) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Short Class Presentation (10 mins) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Student research statement on public policy (500 words) (25) [LO 4]
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
Total contact time is 15 hours, conducted in person, 2.5 hours x 6 meetings. This is an intensive course.
Outside of contact hours: Preparation time of no less than 3 hours for every 2.5 hour session.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Crawford School of Public Policy to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Will be flexible based on specific sessional conveners
Preliminary Reading
- Theories of and in the Policy Process, David L. Weimer, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 36, No. 4, 2008,
- Policy Theory, Policy Theory Everywhere: Ravings of a Deranged Policy Scholar, Kenneth J. Meier, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2009
- Wild Policy: Indigeneity and the Unruly Logics of Intervention, Tess Lea, Stanford University Press, 2020
- Patton, C. D. Sawicki, and J. Clark (2013). Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. London: Routledge. Read Chapter 2 The Policy Analysis Process & Chapter 3 Cross-cutting Methods. (pp. 21-133)
- Evans, D. (2015). Bridge the Gap between Research and Policy, One Panel Discussion (and 145 Studies) at a Time.
- https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/bridge-gap-between-research-and-policy-one-panel-discussion-and-145-studies-time
- Connelly, S. and C. Anderson (2007). “Studying water: reflections on the problems and possibilities of interdisciplinary working.” Interdisciplinary Science Reviews. 32(3): 213-220.
- Faustino, J. and R. Fabella (2011). “Engendering Reform.” pp. 1-16. In The Asia Foundation. Built on Dreams, Grounded in Reality: Economic Policy Reform in the Philippines. Makati City: The Asia Foundation.
- Russell-Smith, J. et al. (2015). “Moving Beyond Evidence-Free Environmental Policy.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 13(8): 441-448.
- Sutton, Rebecca (1999). The Policy Process: An Overview. Working Paper No. 118. Overseas Development Institute: London.
- Wedel, J. et al. (2005). “Toward an Anthropology of Public Policy.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 600: 30-51.
- World Bank (2008). The Political Economy of Policy Reform: Issues and Implications for Policy Dialogue and Development Operations. Social Development Department. November 2008.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 0 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00000 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1607 | 16 Feb 2022 | 18 Feb 2022 | 18 Feb 2022 | 18 Feb 2022 | In Person | View |
