Learning Policy, Doing Policy: Interactions Between Public Policy Theory, Practice and Teaching (Australia and New Zealand School of Government

by Trish Mercer (Editor), Russell Ayres (Editor), Brian Head (Editor)

When it comes to policymaking, public servants have traditionally learned ‘on the job’, with practical experience and tacit knowledge valued over theory-based learning and academic analysis. Yet increasing numbers of public servants are undertaking policy training through postgraduate qualifications and/or through short courses in policy training. Learning Policy, Doing Policy explores how policy theory is understood by practitioners and how it influences their practice. The book brings together insights from research, teaching and practice on an issue that has so far been understudied. Contributors include Australian and international policy scholars, and current and former practitioners from government agencies. The first part of the book focuses on theorising, teaching and learning about the policymaking process; the second part outlines how current and former practitioners have employed policy process theory in the form of models or frameworks to guide and analyse policymaking in practice; and the final part examines how policy theory insights can assist policy practitioners. In exploring how policy process theory is developed, taught and taken into policymaking practice, Learning Policy, Doing Policy draws on the expertise of academics and practitioners, and also ‘pracademics’ who often serve as a bridge between the academy and government. It draws on a range of both conceptual and applied examples. Its themes are highly relevant for both individuals and institutions, and reflect trends towards a stronger professional ethos in the Australian Public Service. This book is a timely resource for policy scholars, teaching academics, students and policy practitioners.

352 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2021

About the author

This is the uncomfortable part where I have to write about myself. So here goes.
I have loved, absolutely LOVED writing this series! I started writing it because I couldn't find a book quite like it, and it just grew and grew, dragging me willingly along. It's brought me incredible joy, and although writing is agonizing, it's also fun. Agonizing fun. Yeah, that's it.
I don't claim to be an author, just a tinkerer of story lines and a jumbler of ideas.
If you've enjoyed these books, great!
If you haven't, well . . . that's awkward. Let's just smile stiffly at each other and slowly go our separate ways.
Oh, you're still here? Well, if you want to know more about me, here's the list. I'm married. I have nine kids.
I like my stories because that's the only place where people do exactly what I tell them to.
I worry about America, and I worry about our future.
I'm a Mormon (LDS). I believe in educating my children according to what I feel God wants them to know.
I believe in freedom of religion for all people, and I fear we're losing that freedom.
I'm a lot goofier than I sound.
I dance at random moments and sing in the van when no one can hear me.
I love Yellowstone National Park, God's playground.
I love orchestral soundtracks and trailer music, and walking at twilight and writing scenes to fit the music.
I worry immensely about the world my grandchildren will grow up in, and I hope I'll become that Muggah who sits with her grandchildren telling them that the sky is not really blue.
But I probably won't be weeding.