This course introduces Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Higher Degree Research (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.
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 sessions led by Crawford School scholars across the four 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 MPhil 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 MPhil students.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critique competing understandings of public policy.
- Exhibit fluency with key concepts and paradigms of public policy scholarship.
- Develop and apply questions, methodological approaches, and practices of public policy research across key disciplines and contexts.
- Clarify how their MPhil research aligns with the public policy discipline or public policy concerns.
Indicative Assessment
- Critical reflection paper (1) (500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Short Class Presentation (10 mins) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Student research statement on public policy (800 words) (40) [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
This is an intensive course. Total contact time is 15 hours, 2.5 hours x 6 meetings. Outside of contact hours: Preparation time of no less than 3 hours for every 2.5 hour session.
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
- Weimar, David L. (2008). Theories of and in the Policy Process, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 36, No. 4.
- Meier, Kenneth J. (2009). Policy Theory, Policy Theory Everywhere: Ravings of a Deranged Policy Scholar, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1.
- Lea, Tess. (2020). Wild Policy: Indigeneity and the Unruly Logics of Intervention, Stanford University Press.
- 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. In The Asia Foundation. Built on Dreams, Grounded in Reality: Economic Policy Reform in the Philippines. Makati City: The Asia Foundation (pp1-16).
- Russell-Smith, J. et al. (2015). Moving Beyond Evidence-Free Environmental Policy. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 13(8) (pp. 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 (pp. 30-51).
- World Bank (2008). The Political Economy of Policy Reform: Issues and Implications for Policy Dialogue and Development Operations. Social Development Department. November.
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.
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
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