Policy networks revisited: creating a researcher–policymaker community

Abstract

The need for better linkages between evidence and policymaking has been well established in the literature, with a heightened focus on the relationship between researchers, research utilisation and policy development. However, fostering such linkages using a policy network approach has seldom been discussed. This article revisits a key framework in the policy network literature: the policy community, to shed further light on such linkages. Using an empirical approach built on the experience of the Social Policy Research Centre, this article discusses the utility of a policy community network between academic researchers and policymakers. In doing so, the study makes clear that the establishment and strengthening of policy communities is time-bound. Furthermore, this paper argues the need to adhere to network conditions as interactions remain fluid and mature over time.

Network resilience and EU fisheries policy engagement in third countries: Lessons for post-Brexit governance

“…Resilience within, and between, networks as a response to EU policy processes is implicit within this work but no explicit conceptual framework has been developed in this field. This is surprising given that resilience and adaptability are key criteria for judging the success of policy networks (Agranoff and McGuire, 2001; Bevir and Richards, 2009; Ranchod and Vas, 2019). Bakker et al (2012) provide an overview of the definitions of resilient networks and conclude that the most common elements of the definitions are the ability of networks to remain operational in the midst of perturbations or shocks and have ‘rebounding capacities’ in the face of exogenous change.…”

Taking a step back for a leap forward: policy formation for the digitalisation of schools from the views of Swedish national policymakers

“…National policymakers are sometimes described in policy research as important stakeholders who are hard to reach. For example, researchers have discussed how to access (Beyers & Braun, 2014) or how to collaborate with policymakers (Ranchod & Vas, 2019). Nevertheless, here, I explored the stated views of text producing policymakers engaged in the digitalisation of school policies.…”

Networks and network analysis in evidence, policy and practice

“…2. Reasons for -and human labour involved in -creating networks: There is evidence that initiatives aiming to create communities and ties between academics and policymakers help support evidence-informed policymaking (Cooper, 2014;Traynor, Dobbins and DeCorby, 2015;Ranchod and Vas, 2018). However, policymakers draw on broader forms of evidence and expertise, and this diversity must be reflected in future research agendas (as identified in Oliver et al 2016).…”

“…Certain researchers use the word network as a heuristic or metaphor to describe a (relatively recent) organising principle or social architecture that is assumed to be more agile and less formal than a hierarchy of states or markets (Finnemore, 1996;Parker, 2007;Slaughter and Hale, 2004. Networks are also described as a means to bring policy and evidence communities together by creating links between individuals and organisations (Cooper, 2014;Ward, 2017;Ranchod and Vas, 2018) -still using network as a metaphor, rather than an analytical concept.…”