Enough hand wringing! Steps to bridge the academic-practitioner divide

Today's post is right in our sweet spot here at PTP - how to take practical steps towards better working relationships between sectors.

Donald P. Moynihan is Professor of Public Affairs at the La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of the National Academy of Administration, and the winner of theKershaw Award, provided every two years to one scholar under the age of 40 for outstanding contributions to public policy and management. He has presented his research to the OECD, the US Office of Management and Budget, and the World Bank. Follow him at @donmoyn. This post originally appeared on The Governance Blog.

Research with and for Marginalised Communities

In this article, Andrew Ryder outlines the thinking behind his new venture The Roma Research Exchange. This venture seeks to work with civil society and other community organisations to better identify priorities for research. Andrew outlines his thinking about emancipatory practice, knowledge construction, and the limitations of the traditional academic framework, all of which inform the development of this Exchange.

This article is a repost from the Policy and Politics Journal Blog.

Have you got the right? Putting human rights on the agenda (without putting people to sleep)

A new video series is helping to educate the public about human rights without putting them to sleep. Marius Smith from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University explains how and why

Advocacy, IssuesPower to Persuade19 May 2015communication, human rights

The invisible hand of Loki

Linda Tirado is the author of Hand to Mouth: The truth about being poor in a wealthy world. In this guest post she explores the vast gulf between the ultra-wealthy and the poor in the US and asks whether trickle-down economics has achieved anything other than deliver more wealth to those who are already wealthy.

400 heads better than one:Tales from a public management conference

With more conferences and events happening each year, deciding on where to share your practice and research findings and where to seek professional development is challenging. It can help to know more about key conferences and how they may inform your work or be a vehicle to share your insights. In this post, Sue Olney (@olney_sue) gives us an overview of the International Research Society of Public Management Conference, and provides some highlights as well as links to interesting sessions

How effective are NFP submissions to Parliamentary inquiries?

Public submissions to Parliamentary Inquiries are routine for many not-for-profit (NFP) organisations. These Inquiries provide an opportunity for NFPs to contribute to public life and to advocate for the communities they work with, however the impact of submissions and the efficacy of Inquiry processes are largely unknown. In this post, Jacqueline Williams examines these important issues and provides recommendations for improving interactions between NFPs and Parliamentary Inquiries.

AdvocacyDr Lara Corr7 May 2015communication

Women in the workforce: prizing open the part-time work trap

For many women, part-time work offers a chance to combine child rearing with employment. Unfortunately, part-time work 'has become a ghetto of low-paid, low-skill, low-productivity employment'. In this post, Professor Silvia Walby argues that poor quality part-time work is not inevitable and shares solutions to the 'problem of women becoming trapped in low-paid, low-skill work after childbirth'.

This article originally appeared in Australian Policy Online @apooline @policynetwork

Issues, AdvocacyDr Lara Corr4 May 2015employment, social justice

Women's rights in policy: Will they #destroythejoint?

What would it look like if policies were designed with gender equity and women's rights in mind? On a micro and macro level, would it help or hinder progress? A new report from UN Women calls for alternative policy and a human rights framework to support better outcomes for the whole of society, including the economy. @UN_Women @apoonline

Issues, AdvocacyDr Lara Corr4 May 2015gender, social justice

Why should we care about policy language?

For the uninitiated and even for those well established in the world of social policy, understanding the exact meaning of terms and how to use them precisely can stop you in your tracks and drive you to google.

Policy and governance, AdvocacyDr Lara Corr3 May 2015ideology, communication

Outer sight, out of justice

A new approach is needed to delivering justice in the growing outer urban areas. This article by Shorna Moore, Senior Policy Lawyer at Wyndham Legal Service Inc, challenges narrow definitions of justice and argues for a 'precinct model'. The Outer Sight, Out of Justice Project uses critical stakeholder engagement, innovative public-private funding models and thought-leadership to challenge current policy thinking and processes.

Advocacy, IssuesDr. Kathy Landvogt15 April 2015media, law

Door-to-door sales methods hurt vulnerable people

Unsolicited, door-to-door sales techniques have long been used to push pricey, often unwanted products onto unwary consumers. The latest industry to adopt the tactic are private vocational training providers. Gerard Brody, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre, explains how the techniques work and lays out the challenges for policy makers and regulators in protecting the public.

AdvocacyPower to Persuade20 March 2015social justice

The cost of youth homelessness in Australia

In this blog, Dr Monica Thielking, Research Fellow at Swinburne University, takes us through the recently released report, The Costs of Youth Homelessness in Australia: Snapshot Report 1: The Australian Youth Homelessness Experience. This ground-breaking study offers profound insights into the experience of young people in Australia who are homeless and presents clear challenges for policy makers.

The economics of abuse

Family violence is headline news in Victoria these days. The Victorian Labor Government has established a much-needed Royal Commission into the support system, including a review of the justice system, government, service organisations, police, corrections, and child protection, with the aim of decreasing instances, improving victim support, and ensuring perpetrators are held to account. Susan Maury, Policy and Research Specialist with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, argues that, as the least-understood form of family violence, economic abuse needs to receive significant attention.

Using International legal processes to influence government policy

Strategic participation in international legal processes can be extremely valuable for NGOs undertaking policy and law reform work. The Universal Periodic Review, a process of the United Nations Human Rights Council, is one method by which Australia’s human rights record is assessed on the international stage. Internationally and in Australia, the UPR is proving to be a useful mechanism for NGOs to engage with governments on issues of human rights and related law and policy. Anna Lyons, Senior Lawyer at Justice Connect Homeless Law explains.

Policy and governance, Advocacy, IssuesPower to Persuade26 February 2015policy making, data and evidence for advocacy, law

What's art got to do with it?

The arts are a great tool for connecting the community to policy making processes. Both communities and policy makers find artistic processes fun and engaging. If used correctly, artistic process can help communities manage the way their issues are presented to the wider community. It can also complement more traditional community engagement and research methods, adding depth and shine.

Zoe Dawkins from Storyscape Consulting discusses her experiences in using the arts as a tool to connect communities to people of influence.

AdvocacyPower to Persuade10 February 2015social justice

Using digital storytelling to include youth voices in evaluation (case study 2 of 3)

In this case study we talk about how we used digital storytelling in a longitudinal evaluation of a school-based orchestral music program.

Advocacy, Social Policy Whisperer, Creating using evidence, IssuesGuest User10 December 2014communication, young people

Social Policy Whisperer: Harnessing the economy to the Good Society - a policy strategy for the church and community activists 2015

This is an excerpt from a talk given last night to Social Policy Connections AGM by Dr Paul Smyth (full paper will shortly be available on the SPC website http://www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au/ ). It is a call to action for faith-based organisations and advocates, to come out unequivocally and assertively with the message that the Good Society is created in spaces and through narratives that the weakening PaleoLiberal rationale cannot reach or answer.

Does the language of complexity mix well with the language of public sector accountability

Complexity and systems science is getting a lot of interest in public policy, and related areas such as public health. But how well does it fit with existing public sector accountability structures? Below, Paul Cairney explores these issues in the UK context. This post originally appeared on his personal blog. Paul is a Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Stirling, you can follow him on twitter at @Cairneypaul.

Policy and governance, AdvocacyPower to Persuade26 November 2014accountability, communication

Doing Development Differently: Report back from the two mind- blowing days at Harvard

Duncan Green, strategic adviser for Oxfam GB and author of ‘From Poverty to Power’ offers some tips, observations and concerns about 'Doing Development Differently' that are likely to strike a chord for readers in the social and health sectors too.

Thanks to Duncan for permission to republish the article, originally published on his blog.

What it means to defund the Indigenous Law Centre

Dr Leon Terrill is a lecturer in the UNSW Law School and a Fellow of the Indigenous Law Centre (ILC). He outlines how Federal Government cuts tofunding mean the ILC is seeking community support to continue its important work – including the only two Indigenous-specific law journals published in Australia .It is rare for a week to go by in Australia without some Indigenous legal issue making the news. Just this week examples include the introduction of Koori Youth Courts in NSW, native title negotiations in Queensland, reforms to land rights in the Northern Territory and Constitutional recognition in Western Australia and at a national level. Complex issues, right? Complex and significant, which is why community legal education is so important.

Advocacy, Finance and economics, IssuesPower to Persuade14 November 2014social justice, funding models, indigenous issues

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