• Learning
• ATN Frontiers

Level 2

Policy and Impact Futures

Explore the skills needed to develop fit-for-purpose policy. Introducing the Australian policy cycle – and the frameworks and context surrounding policy – you will learn to navigate real-world policy challenges and complex decision-making environments.

Policy and Impact Futures: Understanding Contemporary Policy Making in Practice

This 4-week module is based on the premise that evidence-based policy is at the core of all reform; and that quality government and public policy emerges from, and is formed in, the analysis of key internal and external forces.

It offers you a foundation in the principles, knowledge and skills needed for policy formulation, strategy, implementation and review. Contextualising key policy frameworks, you will explore their impact, real-word challenges and opportunities.

Accompanying the two workshops are pre-readings and reflection tasks, helping you develop a contextual understanding of the topics explored in class. You will complete both an individual and group assessment, exploring a policy challenge and developing a solution.

Module topics:

• What is policy and the context and threats to effective public policy in a complex and changing environment.
• The policy cycle and a staged approach to policy design and implementation.
• The challenges of evidence-based policymaking and influencing decision makers.
• Measuring success and the issues and challenges of evaluating policy impacts.

Over two live online workshops you will explore:

• the critical factors influencing successful policy
• the need for designing results-focused approaches to policymaking
• the importance of getting the evidence base right
• how successful policies can respond to current and emerging circumstances
• how volatile and changing reform agendas shape contemporary challenges into successful policy
• the role of capability uplift in core policy making competencies.

Assessment: This module includes two group assessment tasks, the final of which is due towards the end of Week 4.

Orientation and group allocations: Before the official start of the module, you will be asked to complete a short form that will help the team to get to know you a little better and assign you to a group.

Learning hours: Total of approximately 15 hours of learning across 4 weeks. Your learning will consist of approx. 9 hours of asynchronous online learning within the OpenLearning platform + 6 hours and 45 minutes of synchronous learning in a series of live online facilitated workshops with your expert facilitators (dates and times in the 2024 Delivery Dates section below).

Facilitation team: UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance

Edwina Deakin

Senior Manager Advisory, UTS

Tish Creenaune

Senior Manager, UTS