Contributors to this highly original book address the many questions raised by researchers and policymakers about the complex and often uneasy relationship between evidence and policy from an international and interdi... more abstractContributors to this highly original book address the many questions raised by researchers and policymakers about the complex and often uneasy relationship between evidence and policy from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. They explore both the institutions acting as evidence brokers and the different methods used to collect, assess and use evidence in a variety of national and international settings, by drawing on their experience of working in international contexts and in different disciplinary and policy environments, and in some cases analysing their own involvement in the evidence-based policy process. The policy areas covered range from national and state level economic and social policies more generally to specific areas of intervention, such as EU bio-fuels targets, the Active Ageing Index, mental health and media, the construction of second-language learning policies, microfinance and alcohol policy. The authors highlight the strengths and weaknesses, the use and abuse, or successes and failures, of different institutional and methodological approaches to evidence-based policy. They consider what elements of the lessons learned might be transferable across national and cultural boundaries, and if so under what conditions. This book was originally published as a special issue of Contemporary Social Science.

Evidence-based policy

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are increasingly powerful actors in the international political system and world economy. The current discourse often focuses on SWFs as political versus market actors. In this explorator... more abstractSovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are increasingly powerful actors in the international political system and world economy. The current discourse often focuses on SWFs as political versus market actors. In this exploratory article, however, it is shown that SWFs may be both. They may be employed as a means to increase a state's relative economic power, even when their individual investments are generally made on the basis of economic, market-driven, logic. After a brief overview of SWFs, and literature review of the issues that attend them, I examine the traditional neorealist understanding of internal balancing and argue that there is evidence to support the claim that SWFs can be employed as tools of this state strategy. Four methods, and two cases (Singapore and China), of internal balancing through SWFs are then examined. I find that some SWFs are used for internal balancing purposes in the conventional sense, but that the phenomena may be better captured by the newer concept of non-military internal balancing (in which a state's relative economic power is enhanced without damage to the overall relationship they currently maintain with the target state).

International Relations, International Relations Theory, International Security, Foreign Direct Investment, International Finance, and 1 more

Publication Date: Apr 29, 2013

Publication Name: New Political Economy

Numerous organisations act as ‘evidence brokers’, providing and translating research for use by decision-makers. The relationship between the supply and demand for evidence is far from linear, and whether these organi... more abstractNumerous organisations act as ‘evidence brokers’, providing and translating research for use by decision-makers. The relationship between the supply and demand for evidence is far from linear, and whether these organisations are self-professed evidence brokers or government appointed bodies, they face similar challenges in their quest to impact policy. This paper analyses the strategies of two organisations considered ‘exemplars’ of institutional knowledge brokerage: the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis and the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. The author posits that three primary factors help these organisations connect evidence successfully to policy-makers: the institution's credibility, based on independence, neutrality, reputation, trust, transparency and the quality of its methods and evidence; the utility of its research, based on transferability, timing, stakeholder involvement and resonance with policy-makers; and the communication of that research, in terms of effectiveness, dissemination, presentation and translation for policy-makers. Findings, and the possibility of applying these insights internationally, are then discussed and contextualised.

Knowledge Management, Evidence, Knowledge, Knowledge Mobilization, Knowledge Brokerage, and 3 more

The relationship between international evidence, politics and policy is never straightforward. Politicians sometimes cite comparative findings from social science evidence collected and analysed by international organ... more abstractThe relationship between international evidence, politics and policy is never straightforward. Politicians sometimes cite comparative findings from social science evidence collected and analysed by international organisations to support policy proposals without sufficient understanding of contextual factors. The media may exploit data from such studies to highlight national policy successes and failures. Academic literature on evidence-based policy is often more interested in identifying policies that work than in investigating the reasons why policy solutions might, or might not, be effective if transferred to other regions. This article explores some of the issues involved by examining the relationship between evidence producers and users in different institutional settings, drawing on case studies in health and social policy to illuminate the complexities of the policy process. In considering possible conditions for successful policy learning across time and space, the authors stress the critical need to take account of socioeconomic, political, cultural and disciplinary contexts.

Evidence and Evidence-based policy

Britain's vote on 23rd June 2016 to leave the European Union will result in uncertainty for the social science community, with implications for research funding, international collaboration, freedom of movement, and c... more abstractBritain's vote on 23rd June 2016 to leave the European Union will result in uncertainty for the social science community, with implications for research funding, international collaboration, freedom of movement, and capacity building. Until now, the UK social science community has outperformed in terms of EU research funding. We also benefitted from collaboration with our European colleagues and the freedom of movement afforded by our membership of the EU, which allowed UK Universities and research organisations to draw on a pool of international talent and students. This briefing note considers these factors in light of the UK referendum decision and looks at the scale of its implications for UK research. The Government will need to consider these issues carefully in its post-referendum negotiations if UK research excellence is to be protected.

Brexit

Publication Name: Alliance for Useful Evidence, Nesta

Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI )

Publication Date: Sep 2011

Publication Name: India Forum Paper Series, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

More Info: AcSS Seminar Series on Social Science Evidence and the Policy Process: International Insights

Publication Date: Feb 2014

Publication Name: Academy of Social Sciences: Professional Briefings

Brexit

Brexit

Publication Date: Jul 6, 2016

Publication Name: The Guardian

Publication Date: Jul 24, 2013

Publication Name: Research Fortnight

Publication Date: Jul 19, 2013

Publication Name: The Guardian - Political Science Blog

Publisher: The Gaurdian

Publication Date: Apr 9, 2013

Publication Date: Apr 28, 2011

Publication Name: Wall Street Journal

Publication Date: Mar 1, 2011

Publication Name: MarketWatch

Publication Date: Dec 8, 2010

Publication Name: South China Morning Post

Publication Date: Oct 27, 2010

Publication Name: City A.M.