Blog Post Uncategorized Methods How might lower-ranking officials have a greater impact on policy development than previously assumed? How can small-territory, subnational governments make the most of their position? Subnational governments like the devolved governments in the UK combine some of the opportunities and limitations of the national and the local governments between which they sit. They have some ‘national government’-type responsibilities and resources, like legislative authority and funding powers, although those resources […] Read more Topics: Local government April 20, 2020
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods The role of KBOs Increasing the reach of the What Works network At Wales Centre for Public Policy we’re part of the UK’s What Works network. It’s a group of 13 (and counting) Centres aiming to improve the use of evidence in decision-making in various policy areas from education, to policing, to wellbeing. We think we’ve got a lot to share with the rest of the What […] Read more March 10, 2020
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods 5 things we learned about procurement The Wales Centre for Public Policy has been exploring the case for a more strategic approach to public procurement for nearly two years. In July 2018 we hosted an event that considered the lessons from the collapse of Carillion. Earlier this year we published reports on contracting, stewardship and public value and on sustainable public […] Read more Topics: Economy December 5, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods The role of KBOs Mobilising Meaningful Connections between Evidence and Practice At the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), we are continually reflecting upon our role as a ‘knowledge brokerage organisation’ (KBO). We see ‘knowledge brokerage’ as the practice of connecting researchers and decision makers to help inform public policy and professional practice. Although knowledge brokerage has great potential, we also recognise the complexity inherent in […] Read more November 29, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods The role of KBOs What works in getting evidence used? One of the Early Intervention Foundation's (EIF) core functions is to see that evidence on early intervention is actually being used in policy, decision-making and practice. Jo Casebourne and Donna Molloy summarise some of the varied approaches we have taken to tackling this particular challenge, and our commitment to making ongoing improvements in how we […] Read more November 26, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods The role of KBOs Researching the Use of Evidence in Policy Making What does it mean to be a ‘knowledge broker’? What impact does knowledge brokerage have on government policymaking? Why might evidence use at the local level require different approaches, and how would this be implemented? Here at the Wales Centre for Public Policy we recognise that the relationship between evidence and policy is complex and […] Read more November 18, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Impact Methods How did we get here and how can we build on it? Across Wales a lively debate surrounds both the health of the Welsh economy and its future prospects. It is widely accepted that the performance of the Welsh economy lags behind the UK average and a range of comparator regions in other parts of Europe. There is some good news. In recent years unemployment has been […] Read more August 21, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Methods Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times On 24th May 2019, the Wales Centre for Public Policy and the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) organised a conference called ‘Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times’ which brought together 45 academics, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss present and future challenges facing Wales, notably in relation to Brexit […] Read more Topics: Local government July 8, 2019
Blog Post Uncategorized Impact Methods Our Theory of Change There is widespread agreement across diverse policy and research communities that evidence can play a vital role in processes of democratic deliberation on the aims, design and implementation of public policy interventions. The challenge for everyone working at the interface of policy and research is how to assess the value (impact) of what we do. […] Read more June 25, 2019
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Methods The role of KBOs Evidence, practice and philosophy: How can we undertake effective evidence-informed practice in Wales? Wales is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of educational reform. Along with a distinctive approach to curriculum development comes an emphasis on transforming schools into professional learning organisations (PLOs). This results in stakeholders not only debating curricular concerns about what knowledge pupils need to know and how, but also what teachers need to know and […] Read more June 6, 2019
