Why wellbeing matters in the policy debate
Why wellbeing matters in the policy debate

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.

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Creating using evidence, Policy and governance, Social Policy WhispererDr Susan Maurypolicy research, politics and democracy, susan maury
Targets, Quantification and Moral Deliberation

Christina 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/ .

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Creating using evidence, Policy and governanceDr. Kathy Landvogtoutcome and impacts, ideology
Could I work for you part-time?

In today's post, Amanda Walsh, PhD candidate, University of Wollongong, explores the stark contrast between the public service's pronouncements of supporting family-friendly work environments and what happens whena prospective employee asks the one question that should never be spoken out loud: ‘Could I work for you part-time?’ 

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IssuesPower to Persuadeemployment
Environmental advocacy: what's the risk if tax status changes?

The advocacy work undertaken by civil society bodies including environmental organisations to create benefit for the whole society has long been recognisedin the charitable status given for taxation purposes. However, this status is periodically contested and in the current era is potentially facing new threats from the Inquiry commissioned by the Minister for the Environment. St Vincent de Paul’s Research and Legal Officer Rik Sutherland outlines the debate, and argues for the continuation of charitable status for environmental advocacy organisations.

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Advocacy, Finance and economicsDr. Kathy Landvogtdata and evidence for advocacy, tax reform, environment
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.

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Policy and governance, AdvocacyPower to Persuadecross-sector relationships, communication
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.

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Creating using evidence, Advocacy, IssuesPower to Persuaderesearch, social inequalities, communication
Collaboration Lessons from the Tour De France

What does cycling have to do with collaboration? A lot, it turns out. Today's contribution comes from Professor Robyn Keast is the  Chair of Collaborative Research Network Policy and Planning for Regional Sustainability, and located at the Southern Cross University. Dr Brent Moyle works in Sustainable Tourism and Climate Change,  Griffith University.

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Policy and governance, Social Policy WhispererPower to Persuadecross-sector relationships, professor robyn keast
Hidden crisis of liberal democracy creates climate change paralysis

We often tend to blame our failure to address issues like climate change on the idiosyncrasies of leaders and bad leadership, say Mark Triffitt and Travers McLeod from the University of Melbourne in the article below (originally published at The Conversation). Instead, they suggest, we should look to the system itself and its "growing pattern of policy gridlock and dysfunction."

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Policy and governancePower to Persuadepolitics and democracy
Is a constitutional principle making states too cautious with law and order policies?

The so-called Kable principle has imposed constitutional restrictions on the way States can use their courts and judges when designing law and order policies. In the article below, Dr Anna Olijnyk and Dr Gabrielle Appleby say the principle has been able to achieve important protections for individual rights, in a roundabout way. But they ask whether a lack of certainty and understanding about how it works is also making States too cautious in the justice arena.

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Policy and governance, IssuesPower to Persuadepolitics and democracy, law
Social Policy Whisperer: 'Having a Go' in the 21st Century

Last Monday I was lucky enough to get along to the John Freebairn Lecture in Public Policy at the University of Melbourne delivered this year by John Quiggin. On ‘Economic Policy for the 21st Century’ it was a great primer on current thinking about economic growth and provided an excellent preparation for making sense of the budget speeches later in the week.

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Policy and governance, Social Policy WhispererProfessor Paul Smythideology, professor paul smyth
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

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Creating using evidence, Policy and governance, AdvocacySue Olneypolicy research, cross-sector relationships, communication
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. 

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AdvocacyDr Lara Corrcommunication