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Centre for Science and PolicyA theoretical framework for evidence based policy making?

10 December 2010

Dr Chris TylerExecutive Director

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Eugene Bardach’s “Eightfold Path” (2009)

Define the problem

Assemble some evidence

Construct the alternatives

Select the criteria

Project the outcomes

Confront the trade-offs

Decide!

Tell your story

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Evidence based clinical practiceSicily statement on evidence-based practice (Dawes et al, 2005)

Translation of uncertainty to an answerable question

Systematic retrieval of best evidence available

Critical appraisal of evidence for validity, clinical relevance and applicability

Application of results in practice

Evaluation of performance

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UK’S NICE – cost effectiveness analysis

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SOURCING DATA ON DIRECT COSTS

SOURCING DATA ON INDIRECT COSTS

EQUALITY ISSUESAFFORDABILITY

PUBLIC OPINION PUBLIC BEHAVIOURPOLITICSPRACTICAL ISSUES

UK advisory system

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Science advisory system

Guidelines on Scientific Advice in Policy Making (the Guidelines)

Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (CoPSAC)

Statement on the treatment of scientific advice, now in the Ministerial Code (the Statement)

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Government respect academic freedom

Advisers respect democratic mandate

Advisers free from political interference

Advisers free to publish

Advisers free to comment publicly on how they advised govt

Scientific advice should be public

Govt not prejudice or criticise advice

If govt reject advice, minister and chair should meet and govtshould publicly explain policy decision

Clear roles and responsibilitiesClear roles and responsibilities IndependenceIndependence Transparency

and opennessTransparency and openness

The Statement

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Centre for Science and Policycsap.org.uk

Dr Christopher TylerExecutive Directorcptyler@csap.cam.ac.uktwitter.com/cptyler

CSaP organisational structure

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Centre Centre Interest Interest GroupsGroups

UniversitiesUniversities

IndustryIndustry

GovernmentGovernment

Policy FellowsPolicy Fellows

CSaPCSaP PEOPLEPEOPLECLIENTSCLIENTS

Executive Executive CommitteeCommittee

Associate Associate FellowsFellows

AssociatesAssociates

Distinguished Distinguished Lecture SeriesLecture Series

Policy Policy WorkshopsWorkshops

Professional Professional Development Development

SeminarsSeminars

PRODUCTSPRODUCTS

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People

300+ Associates and growing

Associate Fellows

Professor David MacKay, Chief Scientific Adviser at DECC and Professor of Physics, University of Cambridge

Professor Ben Martin, Professor of Science and Technology Policy Studies, University of Sussex

Professor William Sutherland, Miriam Rothschild Professor in Conservation Biology, University of Cambridge

Professor Susan Owens, Head of Department of Geography, University of Cambridge

Professor David Spiegelhalter, Winton Professor of Public Understanding of Risk, University of Cambridge

Dr Miles Parker, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser at Defra

Dr Graeme Reid, Deputy Director, Economic Impact at BIS

Mr David Howarth, Reader in Law, University of Cambridge; United Kingdom Electoral Commissioner, and former MP for Cambridge

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Government tends to be very wary of Rumsfeld’s third challenge (unknown unknowns) but forgets his unstated fourth – unknown knowns, i.e. the things other people know about but we don’t (and don’t know what questions to ask). Cambridge is supremely well positioned to help Government become aware of emerging issues but needs itself to develop the skills to catch the attention of policy makers, which are not simply about telling but also about listening and understanding. CSaP is just the right initiative to make a difference in this communication.Dr Miles Parker, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra

Government tends to be very wary of Rumsfeld’s third challenge (unknown unknowns) but forgets his unstated fourth – unknown knowns, i.e. the things other people know about but we don’t (and don’t know what questions to ask). Cambridge is supremely well positioned to help Government become aware of emerging issues but needs itself to develop the skills to catch the attention of policy makers, which are not simply about telling but also about listening and understanding. CSaP is just the right initiative to make a difference in this communication.Dr Miles Parker, Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra

Policy Fellows

Current Policy Fellows

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Government Office for Science

Welsh Assembly Government

BP

Pfizer

Comac Capital

Future Policy Fellows

Department for Communities and Local Government

Department of Health

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Department for Transport

Department for Work and Pensions

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Spending time with the Centre provided me with an excellent perspective on the expertise and research that Cambridge has at its fingertips. I found my meetings with members of the university to be both interesting and informative, and my colleagues and I have already followed up with several people having identified clear linkages between our areas of work... I look forward to engaging further with the Centre.Dr Joanna Dally, Government Office for Science, June 2010

Spending time with the Centre provided me with an excellent perspective on the expertise and research that Cambridge has at its fingertips. I found my meetings with members of the university to be both interesting and informative, and my colleagues and I have already followed up with several people having identified clear linkages between our areas of work... I look forward to engaging further with the Centre.Dr Joanna Dally, Government Office for Science, June 2010

I found the time I spent with CSaP immensely valuable. It gave me the opportunity to gain in-depth exposure to the University and its engagement with the wider science community. It also allowed me to gain a clearer picture of how the EU research agenda impacts on researchers at Cambridge – providing real insights that will inform my ongoing policy work.Lucia Costanzo, BIS, May 2010

I found the time I spent with CSaP immensely valuable. It gave me the opportunity to gain in-depth exposure to the University and its engagement with the wider science community. It also allowed me to gain a clearer picture of how the EU research agenda impacts on researchers at Cambridge – providing real insights that will inform my ongoing policy work.Lucia Costanzo, BIS, May 2010

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Centre Interest Groups and Policy Workshops

Centre Interest Groups The Value of Ecoystems

– Workshops in September 2009 and October 2010 (with Cambridge Conservation Initiative)

Innovation

– Workshop in November 2010 (with UK Innovation Research Centre)

Behaviour Change

– Workshop in September 2010

Genomics

– Five workshops between November 2009 and February 2010; another planned for July 2011 (with the PHG Foundation)

Science and Policy Studies

– Research Questions programme commenced October 2010

– Two day symposium in April 2011

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This well facilitated and helpful workshop was very timely as we develop proposals for the Government's flagship Green Deal. For DECC this is the start of an essential dialogue with the academic social science community to help develop practical policies that will deliver the changes that we want to see.Nafees Meah,Head of Science, DECC

This well facilitated and helpful workshop was very timely as we develop proposals for the Government's flagship Green Deal. For DECC this is the start of an essential dialogue with the academic social science community to help develop practical policies that will deliver the changes that we want to see.Nafees Meah,Head of Science, DECC

The workshop was an enjoyable and stimulating event, and it was fascinating to hear the differing perspectives of civil servants and expert academics on matters of common interest. The academics have the deep knowledge of the issues and problems; the civil servants have to convert this knowledge into workable policy proposals for ministers and the wider public, whilst meeting multiple wider objectives.Graham Pendlebury, Director, Environment and International, DfT

The workshop was an enjoyable and stimulating event, and it was fascinating to hear the differing perspectives of civil servants and expert academics on matters of common interest. The academics have the deep knowledge of the issues and problems; the civil servants have to convert this knowledge into workable policy proposals for ministers and the wider public, whilst meeting multiple wider objectives.Graham Pendlebury, Director, Environment and International, DfT

Professional Development and Dissemination

Professional Development Policy Seminar

Pilot ProDPol Seminar November 2010

Informative and positive feedback

Planning large scale roll out

Distinguished Lecture Series

Professor David MacKay, January 2010

Professor Ben Martin, March 2010

Ms Sarah Muckherjee, June 2010

Dr Evan Harris and Dr Julian Huppert, November 2010

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I appreciated the thoughts of the panellists – they provided great detail on the policy process and tips on how be involved and engaged. I now have a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the relationship between academics and policy makers.Seminar attendee

I appreciated the thoughts of the panellists – they provided great detail on the policy process and tips on how be involved and engaged. I now have a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the relationship between academics and policy makers.Seminar attendee

I was impressed with the quality of the panels and attendees. The discussion over lunch was both friendly and enlightening, and good for networking. I’ll be searching for more information on the basis of this seminar’s scope.Seminar attendee

I was impressed with the quality of the panels and attendees. The discussion over lunch was both friendly and enlightening, and good for networking. I’ll be searching for more information on the basis of this seminar’s scope.Seminar attendee

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A research programme

Research on the relationship between science and policy

Building on CSaP’s strategic position and the work of the Science and Policy Studies CIG

Research in two areas:

– meta relationship between science and policy

– relationship between science and policy in domain-specific areas

Application has been made to the Isaac Newton Trust

Application in process for the Leverhulme Trust

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The interface between good science and good policy making is important, complex and not well explored. Today’s governments face more complex issues and higher risks, needing not only strong and interdisciplinary sources of advice but advisers who understand how policy works and can communicate effectively. I have been enthusiastic about the CSaP development from its inception, seeing it as a great opportunity to use Cambridge’s own strengths and considerable convening power both to engage scientists with policy makers and to explore how to make the processes that govern that interface more efficient.Professor Robert Watson, Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra

The interface between good science and good policy making is important, complex and not well explored. Today’s governments face more complex issues and higher risks, needing not only strong and interdisciplinary sources of advice but advisers who understand how policy works and can communicate effectively. I have been enthusiastic about the CSaP development from its inception, seeing it as a great opportunity to use Cambridge’s own strengths and considerable convening power both to engage scientists with policy makers and to explore how to make the processes that govern that interface more efficient.Professor Robert Watson, Chief Scientific Adviser, Defra

I am delighted to hear that the Centre for Science and Policy isplanning to conduct research at the intersection between scienceand policy. I believe that science and technology are such central activities for societal wellbeing that education and research for those who set policies is crucial. The University of Cambridge should be taking a lead in the UK and the Centre for Science andPolicy is providing a timely opportunity to do so.Professor Venky Narayanamurti, Director of Science, Technology and Public Policy Program, Belfer Centre, Kennedy School, Harvard University

I am delighted to hear that the Centre for Science and Policy isplanning to conduct research at the intersection between scienceand policy. I believe that science and technology are such central activities for societal wellbeing that education and research for those who set policies is crucial. The University of Cambridge should be taking a lead in the UK and the Centre for Science andPolicy is providing a timely opportunity to do so.Professor Venky Narayanamurti, Director of Science, Technology and Public Policy Program, Belfer Centre, Kennedy School, Harvard University