The 'new' nanny trial has been hailed as a solution for flexible child care by the Federal government. But is it a solution and for whom? What do children, families and nannies need to make this 'solution' work well? Our guest today, Elizabeth Adamson (@eama221) from the Social Policy Research Centre, explores these issues as she takes us through details of the nanny trial.
Read MoreWhere does evidence stand in the war on ideas within government? What are the barriers to evidence-based policy-making and what does a strategic, innovative, evidence-based policy system look like when you’ve got one?
Read More
Government policy ought to be designed to help its citizens flourish in a sustainable environment (in all its manifestations). When considering policy changes, it’s helpful to use evidence from a range of disciplines. Psychology tends to be an under-utilised area, yet it is rich with explorations into human motivation. Susan Maury, Policy Researcher with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, has written previously about motivation research and changes in unemployment payments. Here she discusses why policy should be crafted to support creative thinking – particularly for those who struggle.
Read MoreChristina Boswell, Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh, explores the use of quantitative knowledge in policymaking and politics. In this article, previously published on her blog, she analyses the dangers of one such tool, the policy 'indicator' or 'target', which is increasingly used as shorthand for policy goals and outcomes. Further articles on Christina's blog can be found at https://christinaboswell.wordpress.com/about/ .
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreWith 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
Read MoreThe Australian Council of Social Service is one ofthe few regular community sector voices in the tax debate in Australia. Dominated by tax experts and hip pocket commentary, those who know much about the social consequences of tax and spending, the communtiy sector, often don't speak up. This post from the Council to Homeless Persons @CHPvic, makes the case for other social policy experts to enter into the rhelm of taxation.
Read MoreIn the latest Evidence Base journal of the The Australian and New Zealand School of Government Professor Jeff Boreland investigates the effectiveness of active labour market programs, like Work for the Dole.
Read MoreThere is plenty of debate about outcomes in the social services sector at the moment: how to identify them, how to measure them, how to use them for continuous improvement, and how to report back on them. Recently, Susan Maury, Policy & Research Specialist with Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand @GoodAdvocacy @SusanMaury, presented on an unusual approach to developing outcomes. Here she expands on the possibilities.
Read MoreI have been working in the field of evaluation for the past eight years and I think what I have learnt most about evaluation in this time is that it is a crowded market. A lot of people are involved in the practice of evaluation. And while I have never conducted a scientific study, I have found it truly shocking how many practising evaluators know little to nothing about evaluation theory. Or know a lot about applied research methods and consider this an acceptable substitute for knowledge about evaluation.
Read MoreAs a professional evaluator, nothing gets my goat like reading the phrase: 'Randomised Control Trials (RCT's) are the gold standard of evaluation'. When I read this I always yell 'NO THEY ARE NOT' to my cat. (She doesn't care as she is a supporter of RCTs.) RCTs are a good evaluation method, but they are NOT the gold standard! There is no such thing as an evaluation method that is best and most appropriate across all contexts.
Read MoreFollowing on from our post last week, below Jon Altman offers his thoughts on Indigenous Work for the Dole policies. Jon Altman is an emeritus professor of the Australian National University based at the Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet), College of Asia and the Pacific, ANU. From 1990–2010 he was foundation director of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research.
Read MoreSpeeding up the “evolution” of policy could help promote the survival of the fittest in policy solutions, argues Stephen Muers, Director, Sentencing and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Justice, United Kingdom, in this post originally published on Civil Service Quarterly.
Read MoreDo we have the 'right' to a job, with decent working conditions, and to be protected from unemployment? In this post, social policy researcher Dr Veronica Sheen explores the humans rights implications of Australian labour market policy and activation schemes.
Read MoreBelow, Leon Feinstein provides further background on the longitudinal data discussed and defends the findings against some key misunderstandings of the data. This post first appeared on the LSE Impact Blog.
Read MoreThere's a broad consensus that the NLP's loss in Queensland and rumours of a leadership challenge can be sheeted back to poor policy choices by both governments. Below, a timely piece from Paul Cairney (@Cairneypaul) on whether personal beliefs can in fact be separated from facts when making policy. Paul Cairney is Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Stirling.
This piece originally featured on Paul's personal Blog.
Read MoreThis case study explains how I used an outcomes framework to help design an Indigenous youth program.
Read MoreIn this case study we talk about how we used digital storytelling in a longitudinal evaluation of a school-based orchestral music program.
Read MoreThis is the first of three case studies I will be posting about evaluation this week.
Read MoreThis week is all about practical case studies in evaluation. In particular, this week is all about how I do on-the-ground evaluations with programs.
Read More