How to evaluate evidence: three simple tests Career Advice Not all experimental design evaluations and randomised control trials are created equal. Public servants need to be able to assess results' trustworthiness. Read more
Ten ways to optimise evidence-based policy Monday November 11, 2019 By Maria Katsonis Research Series It is time to move away from the ‘government are from Venus, researchers are from Mars’ narrative. Instead we should focus on the challenges both parties… Read more
Promoted Celebrating 45 years of the Australian Institute of Criminology library Monday October 28, 2019 By The Australian Library and Information Association Sponsored In 2019, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) library is celebrating 45 years of being Australia’s national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. Read more
Premium Insights and analysis Good money after bad: six reasons why governments ignore evidence of service failure — and how to do better Thursday October 24, 2019 By David Donaldson Features There are some pretty fundamental reasons why governments continue spending money on poorly performing programs, explains DJPR deputy secretary David Clements. But he also has… Read more
Best practice impact analysis — pursuing strong evidence-based policy Friday October 11, 2019 By Jason Lange Career Advice A memo to the APS from Jason Lange, Executive Director of The Office of Best Practice Regulation in the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet. Read more
Promoted The value in government libraries Monday October 7, 2019 By The Australian Library and Information Association Sponsored For every $1 invested, special libraries return more than $5-worth of value to their organisation – and that’s a conservative estimate according to independent economists… Read more
Premium Expert briefings Policy models are powerful decisionmaking tools, but backward-looking bias and lax application mean they can also be seductive and misleading Thursday August 1, 2019 By Claire Craig Career Advice Dr Claire Craig on the potential and the risks of using models in policymaking. Read more
Policy should target stigma of young motherhood, new research says Thursday July 4, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Community & Social Mothers aged 35 years and older receive less social support than those of other ages, according to a new study that argues its findings should… Read more
Premium Expert briefings Most people don’t have enough time in their lives. Here's how government can help them get some of it back Thursday July 4, 2019 By Lyndall Strazdins & Sean Innis Features The relationship between time and policy is complex. For the most part, policymakers do not consider time impacts for individuals and families. The use of… Read more
Does evidence still matter? What works now? Sunday June 23, 2019 By Maria Katsonis Research Series The idea of evidence based public policy has been fundamental to policy making since it first came to prominence over 20 years ago. Events around… Read more
Looking back to look forward: from ‘Twelve Actions’ to ‘Policy Profession 2025’ Sunday June 2, 2019 By Policy Profession Board (UK) Career Advice Five years ago, the UK's Policy Profession Board made a commitment to improve policy making across government, signing the Twelve Actions to Professionalise Policy Making… Read more
Former secretary: 'persuasion and trust' the keys to 'complex' role of leading a department Friday May 10, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal The most useful tools for senior public servants are “persuasion and trust” in the view of former Commonwealth secretary Gordon de Brouwer, who sits on… Read more
Mike Mrdak: public servants must ditch the business jargon, stop being scared of citizens Wednesday May 8, 2019 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Government agencies need to be more open, honest and direct with the public, come to terms with social media and realise that working with people… Read more
How do we ensure health policies are informed by evidence? Tuesday February 26, 2019 By Sax Institute Case studies A landmark study led by the Sax Institute has revealed a new way forward in helping health policy agencies build their capacity to use research… Read more
Flooded with criticism, MDBA finds a small island of common ground Thursday February 21, 2019 By Stephen Easton Community & Social The Murray-Darling Basin Authority says the recent South Australian royal commission produced some “useful analysis and insights” and notes a few “areas of agreement” in… Read more
