Course Description

Introduction

Policy analysis provides a systematic process to analyze public policy options to respond to a societal challenge such as COVID-19, climate change, and homelessness.  It involves identifying the underlying problem, key decision makers, stakeholders, policy question, and policy options.  These options are then analyzed to identify which is likely to be the most effective, efficient, equitable, and ease of political acceptability.  Once that analysis is concluded, the analyst makes a recommendation based on those criteria.  The analyst then communicates the results to policymakers and the public.  

Educational Outcomes

In this “learn by doing” class, students will enhance their understanding:

What policy analysis is and why it is important

The eight-step process to do a public policy analysis based on the 4Es (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability)

An overview of ways to communicate that message through 1-pagers, op-eds, presentations, videos, and infographics.

Schedule

Class Hours: Class will meet virtually from 10AM to 4PM Eastern Time.

Office Hours (Optional): At students' option, they may participate in office hours, which will be scheduled at a day/time convenient for students. During office hours, students may receive feedback on the work they developed during the class, ask for advice about applying the lessons learned to their work, and request career advice about working in science and technology policy. The plan for the office hour activity will be discussed with students at the end of each class day.

Day 1

• What is policy analysis and why is it important?
• Eight step process to do a public policy analysis
• Step 1.  Define the problem in the form of a question
• Step 2. Assemble some evidence
• Step 3. Construct the Alternatives

Day 2

• Step 4. Analyze the Alternatives based on the 4E Criteria (Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, Ease of Political Acceptability)
• Step 5: Project the Outcomes
• Step 6: Confront the Tradeoffs
• Step 7:  Decide
• Step 8. Tell Your Story

Related Public Policy Workshops

This series of workshops on science and technology (S&T) policy will enhance your understanding and analysis skills that can enhance your ability and eligibility for policy-related fellowships, positions and promotions.  For those already in policy-related positions, they will enhance the analytical tools you have to address both the needs of your programs and asses the programs your organization funds.

You will receive a digital badge for each class and an additional digital badge if you complete all workshops in the series.  This digital badge can be placed on your LinkedIn profile, personal webpage, and resume/CV.

The workshops will be taught by Dr. Deborah D. Stine, who has conducted public policy analysis for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; the Congressional Research Service; the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Carnegie Mellon University. She is the founder and chief instructor for the Science & Technology Policy Academy.

PPOL 071 | The Role of the White House, Congress, Federal Agencies, and Judiciary in Science & Technology Policy

PPOL 073 | Public Policy Analytical Methods for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals: Understanding and Evaluating Benefit-cost, Cost-effectiveness, and Risk Analysis

PPOL 074 | Program Evaluation for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals

PPOL 075 | Equity Analysis and Science and Technology Policy

Credit
Although no grades are given for courses, each participant will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) based on the number of contact hours.   One CEU is equal to ten contact hours. Upon completion of the course each participant will receive a certificate, showing completion of the workshop and 1.4 CEUs. Attendees will also earn a digital badge that can be displayed on a digital resume or CV, LinkedIn and other social media.

Refund Policy
100% tuition refund for registrations cancelled 14 or more calendar days prior to the start of the workshop.

50% tuition refund for registrations cancelled between 4 to 13 calendar days prior to the start of the workshop.

No refund will be issued for registrations cancelled 3 calendar days or less prior to the start of the workshop.

Notification
All cancellations must be received in writing via email to registrar@faes.org.

Cancellations received after 4:00 pm (ET) on business days or received on non-business days are time marked for the following business day.

All refund payments will be processed by the start of the initial workshop.