The Research Policy Nexus

This subject is designed to develop research skills for those students who wish to undertake academic, industry or government-based research projects. Students will explore contemporary research strategies, differing methodological approaches to research and practical issues concerned with designing, conducting and commissioning research projects on or for policy. They will investigate the relationship between research and policy (broadly conceived to include public policy, public management and governance), and develop understanding of the research and policy nexus. The subject gives special attention to setting research questions based on gaps in the literature or real-world policy problems, managing research ethics, and communicating research to policymakers and wider audiences. Students will design and perform independent research of their own, including interrogating theory, methods, and analyses. The subject will assist students to develop skills in research project preparation and development, in the context of wider exploration of the research policy nexus.