Resolving Complex Policy Problems - the role of social science. This project will show how social science research can enhance policy decision-making on complex social issues. Factors which help or hinder productive use of social research will be identified, and models for improving these relationships will be examined. The project investigates complex case-studies to develop richer explanations of how social research findings could be more fully utilised in resolving complex policy problems. Th ....Resolving Complex Policy Problems - the role of social science. This project will show how social science research can enhance policy decision-making on complex social issues. Factors which help or hinder productive use of social research will be identified, and models for improving these relationships will be examined. The project investigates complex case-studies to develop richer explanations of how social research findings could be more fully utilised in resolving complex policy problems. The project builds on international research to provide a deeper understanding of the direct and indirect impacts of social research in policymaking. It will develop new approaches to how social science researchers demonstrate ‘value’ and benefits to government and other partners. Read moreRead less
The utilisation of social science research in policy development and program review. This project will enhance the use of evidence in social policy and improve the relevance of applied social research. It will produce new insights into factors affecting the success of evidence-based decision-making by examining social research utilisation within various agencies at federal and state levels. National and community benefits centre on how to improve the policy uptake of social research. This will c ....The utilisation of social science research in policy development and program review. This project will enhance the use of evidence in social policy and improve the relevance of applied social research. It will produce new insights into factors affecting the success of evidence-based decision-making by examining social research utilisation within various agencies at federal and state levels. National and community benefits centre on how to improve the policy uptake of social research. This will contribute to the development of improved support systems to enhance the consideration of evidence-based policy. Outcomes will be applicable to governments, policy-makers and academics in Australia and abroad. Ways to improve research partnerships between academic social scientists and public sector agencies will be identified. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100562
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,974.00
Summary
International virus regulation: a novel legal framework. COVID-19 highlighted the fragmented and poorly defined state of international virus regulation. This project aims to investigate the range of international institutions, structures, laws and stakeholders that regulate virus samples and viral genetic sequence data. The project expects to generate a comprehensive understanding of the international legal landscape and will recommend reforms to create a cohesive approach to international virus ....International virus regulation: a novel legal framework. COVID-19 highlighted the fragmented and poorly defined state of international virus regulation. This project aims to investigate the range of international institutions, structures, laws and stakeholders that regulate virus samples and viral genetic sequence data. The project expects to generate a comprehensive understanding of the international legal landscape and will recommend reforms to create a cohesive approach to international virus regulation. Expected outcomes include a robust legal framework to help stakeholders navigate the complex web of international laws about viruses. Benefits include improved access to viruses and viral genetic sequence data for scientists and the more equitable dissemination of the results of virus R&D.Read moreRead less
Assessing and addressing tax system complexity in Australia. Tax reform and simplification are highly topical in government, business and the wider community, with many initiatives proposed or under way. This project will identify the key factors in tax system complexity, measure the costs it imposes upon taxpayers and develop complexity indices that can test new policy measures and monitor improvements.
Redistribution and Risk in Contracting Out Government Services. Governments across Australia spend billions of dollars per year on contracting out of their services, yet there is very knowledge of the costs and benefits of contracting out. The existing research on contracting out tends to focus narrowly on issues such as cost. This research will examine a much broader range of consequences associated with contracting out including changes in the distribution of resources, changes in political ....Redistribution and Risk in Contracting Out Government Services. Governments across Australia spend billions of dollars per year on contracting out of their services, yet there is very knowledge of the costs and benefits of contracting out. The existing research on contracting out tends to focus narrowly on issues such as cost. This research will examine a much broader range of consequences associated with contracting out including changes in the distribution of resources, changes in political power between groups and changes in the nature of service delivery. The research will have three outcomes: testing of a systematic framework for evaluating contracting out, new knowledge on the impacts of contracting out across a wider range of outcomes, and an analysis of the distributive relationships associated with contracting out.Read moreRead less
Decision making in international organisations: who and what shapes decisions? This project explores the working of seven international organisations (IOs) to ask who or what shapes what IOs do. Using public policy concepts to analyse the contributions of state representatives, chief executives and staff within IOs, this project seeks to provide more realistic appreciation of what IOs can achieve.
Evaluating and developing the evidence-base and data mining approaches to strengthen the consumer product safety system in Australia. Consumer product-related injuries cause over 173,000 injuries per year though there is limited evidence about the causes and risks to enable early identification and warnings for consumers. This project will evaluate the evidence-base and develop new methods to support an early identification and surveillance system for product-related injuries.
Mapping the policy advisory capacity of the Australian federal government: assessing transformations in the policy advising role of the Australian Public Service. Governmental effectiveness depends to a significant extent on the availability of high quality information, analysis and advice. This project therefore addresses a matter of crucial national importance, namely the ability of the Australian Public Service to support decision-making through its policy advising functions. The project is s ....Mapping the policy advisory capacity of the Australian federal government: assessing transformations in the policy advising role of the Australian Public Service. Governmental effectiveness depends to a significant extent on the availability of high quality information, analysis and advice. This project therefore addresses a matter of crucial national importance, namely the ability of the Australian Public Service to support decision-making through its policy advising functions. The project is significant for both its theoretical and practical contributions. Its findings will inform better understandings of the policy advising role of the public service and its relationship to decision-makers in an increasingly pluralised governance context. The project will be the Australian contribution to a larger comparative project examining policy advisory capacities in four Westminster-style governments.Read moreRead less
Preventing Early Academic Problems By Improving Working Memory: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,085.00
Summary
Learning difficulties are common and can cause school failure and poor self-esteem. They are associated with specific problems with temporarily remembering and using information (‘working memory’). Research suggests that improving working memory might improve academic achievement. We will study this intervention in a large group of primary school children who have poor working memory. If successful, the intervention will provide a way to improve the learning skills of these high-risk children.
Resistance to pediculicides in head lice, Pediculus humanus var. capitis. The number of children with head lice in countries like Australia is increasing. One factor that promotes lice is resistance to pesticides. Yet until now resistance has not been studied in Australia. We propose a new approach to studying resistance: "field" tests by school nurses and other health workers. Existing tests require lice to be sent alive to labs in cities. Our test will, if successful, allow people in the ....Resistance to pediculicides in head lice, Pediculus humanus var. capitis. The number of children with head lice in countries like Australia is increasing. One factor that promotes lice is resistance to pesticides. Yet until now resistance has not been studied in Australia. We propose a new approach to studying resistance: "field" tests by school nurses and other health workers. Existing tests require lice to be sent alive to labs in cities. Our test will, if successful, allow people in the "field" to test lice. Expected outcomes are: (i) scientific information on resistance to pediculicides in head lice, and thus, improved control of head lice; (ii) reduced exposure of children to pesticides; and (iii) a strategic alliance between six organisations that should outlive the project.Read moreRead less