Understanding Public Policy Concepts

Identifying and Influencing Policymakers

• Policy is a set of ideas or a plan of action agreed upon by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party.
• Policy is about decisions made about various circumstances.
• Policy decisions can often involve starting, stopping, or changing existing activities or the way things are done.
• Occasionally, policy decisions involve preventing a change that someone is considering.
• Policymakers are interested in evidence regarding their decisions.

Policymaking Theory

• Policymaking involves a cyclical process.
• The process begins with a rationale and objectives.
• Evaluation and appraisal are crucial parts of the process.
• Implementation and monitoring ensure effective implementation of the policy decision.
• Feedback helps refine policies based on outcomes.

Winning at Policy

• Identifying the decision to influence is crucial.
• Identifying those who influence the decision is critical.
• Deploying tools to influence influencers is necessary.
• Conducting academic research and speaking to experts is needed when the decision is difficult to identify.
• Specificity in the decision to influence and in influencing the decision is key.

Finding Policymakers

• Policymakers include UK National Government, National Parliament, Local Government, Devolved Assemblies, International organizations, and governments in other countries.

Identifying Influencers

• Key influencers include civil servants, directors/deputy directors, learned bodies (like RCGP), people affected by the decision, and parliamentarians (APPGs, select committees).
• Public policy staff (PPS) can aid in identifying influencers.

UK Government

• The UK government makes policy decisions at the national level.
• The government also creates regulations, proposes new laws, and delivers services.

Typical Government Department

• The Secretary of State is the most senior politician, responsible for the entire department.
• Other ministers handle specific aspects of the department's work.
• A Permanent Secretary is the most senior civil servant.
• Directors, deputy directors, and other civil servants are also involved.

What to do with Gov.uk

• Gov.uk provides details about ministers, senior civil servants, latest news, and areas of responsibility for each government department and agencies.
• Gov.uk also provides postal and email addresses and a list of government consultations and policies.

UK Government and AI

• The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT).
• The Office for AI (part of DSIT).
• AI Safety Institute (established 2023) with key industry players like OpenAI, DeepMind, etc.

UK Parliament

• The UK Parliament scrutinizes government work, creates new laws, and makes policy recommendations to the government.
• This includes bodies like select committees, bill committees, all-party parliamentary groups, individual MPs, the libraries of both houses of parliament, and the parliamentary office of science and technology.

What to Do with Parliament.uk

• This website provides information about select committees, all-party parliamentary groups, and individual MPs.
• It also includes information on bills and Hansard, as well as parliamentary offices of science and technology and ways to reach out to others involved, including managers and clerks.

Local Government

• Local governments make policy decisions at the sub-national level.
• Local governments deliver services.

Navigating Local Government

• Local government websites focus on services, making contact information less readily accessible.
• Ask Public Policy | Southampton is a resource for finding contact information.

International Organizations

• The United Nations appointed Dame Wendy Hall to an advisory body on artificial intelligence in 2023.
• Several global opportunities exist to engage with these organizations.
• Websites vary but usually include ways to sign up to mailing lists.

Communication with Policymakers

• When communicating with policymakers, consider affordability, practical workability, value for money, time constraints, and possible unintended consequences.
• Plan your interaction by identifying stakeholders, gathering evidence, and preparing concise and accessible policy briefs, developing good pitches, planning your engagement method, knowing your audiences' counter-arguments, and knowing how to talk to the next person.

Alternatives to the Direct Approach

• Contacting the government through consultations, select committees, all-party groups, your local MP, or an intermediary.

Recap

• Understand the decision you want to influence.
• Gather supporting evidence.
• Prepare concise policy briefs; easily readable and engaging.
• Be aware of counter-arguments.
• Be ready to adapt your message.
• Be aware the process may take several conversations.

Exercise at Home

• Research the policy issues being addressed.
• Determine who should be engaged in order to influence the decision.
• Start designing an engagement plan to implement and follow through to influence policymakers.

Final Thoughts and Suggestions

• Policymaking takes time, patience, and connections building.
• Consider connecting with someone to build your influence.
• Public policy can help with supporting your efforts.

Writing a Policy Brief

• Policy briefs are concise, standalone documents that summarize and highlight evidence.
• They present an argument for a particular issue, including recommendations and strategies for addressing the issue at hand.
• Policy briefs aim to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of an issue, providing solutions, evidence behind the recommendations, and resources to understand more about the issue.

Policy Brief Structure

• A policy brief should have: a title and strapline, a summary, key recommendations and findings, context, importance, pullouts (quotes/infographics), author's bio, and references.

Policy Brief Language

• Use accessible language and avoid jargon or acronyms to ensure straightforward understanding.
• Use brief sentences to ensure clarity.

Tips for Policy Brief Visual Appeal

• Use impactful titles.
• Create an abstract.
• Use key messages.
• Use subheadings and text boxes
• Use illustrations, charts and infographics
• Use visuals appropriately to increase engagement.

Planning, Preparing, and Implementing

• Consider what policymakers or stakeholders might look for when planning and preparing a policy brief. Consider what questions you want to prepare to answer. This includes preparing and knowing the evidence, determining the best approach for communication, and considering the possible follow-up questions.

Communicating and Disseminating

• Proactive engagement strategies include holding a webinar or seminar to engage policy actors directly, capitalize on existing discussions and news.
• Utilize social media and other platforms to communicate effectively.

Engage with Public Policy | Southampton

• The website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and email address are for contacting Public Policy.
• Consider joining PPS membership for insights into policy engagement.

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts and definitions related to public policy. You will learn about the various types of policy decisions, stakeholder considerations, and methods for effectively influencing and communicating with policy makers. Test your knowledge on the key aspects of public policy in contemporary contexts.