Policy Bites Lunchtime Talks: Professor Brian Head

The crisis of evidence-informed policymaking – and implications for engaged researchers

The current challenges to the quality of policymaking are well known - short-termism, populist rhetoric, anti-intellectualism, media misinformation, role of consultants, powerful hidden interests, crisis management, global conflicts, etc.

Remedies for these diverse trends are not readily available, whether at local or international levels.

In the university sector, what are the implications for engaged researchers who want to provide expert assistance for improving public policymaking, with a focus on bridging the gap between research and practice?

Discussion will focus on three areas – problem selection; relationship-building; and processes for policy innovation.