Work

When does evidence-based policy turn into policy-based evidence? Configurations, contexts and mechanisms

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Many studies on evidence-based policy are still clinging to a linear model. Instead, we propose to understand expertise and evidence as ‘socially embedded’ in authority relations and cultural contexts. Policy-relevant facts are the result of an intensive and complex struggle for political and epistemic authority. This is especially true where science and policy are difficult to distinguish and the guidelines for validating knowledge are highly contested. To understand the mechanisms leading to policy-based evidence and the long-term consequences of these transformations more comparative research on the cultural and institutional ‘embeddedness’ of epistemic and political authority is needed.

Source: Evidence & Policy

DOI: 10.1332/174426514x13990433991320

Authors: Holger Strassheim, Pekka Kettunen

Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, University of Jyväskylä

Language: English

Topic: Evaluation and Performance Assessment

Subfield: Public Administration

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: Volkswagen Foundation, Economic and Social Research Council