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Implementation science for strategic policy development

Crawford School of Public Policy | Executive course
Policy Essentials

Summary

Improve strategic policy design through a greater understanding of implementation science.

This course will step through a framework for strategic policy development, with a specific focus on the latest research and information on implementation science, using engaging practical activities exploring real-world policy problems, to translate knowledge into understanding and action. This course may be taken as part of the Strategic policy fundamentals series , designed to equip current and aspiring public policy makers with a range of tools essential for strategic policy design, development and implementation.

Contemporary public policy makers need to be well informed, responsive, collaborative and innovative to deliver effective, evidence-based policy. This requires a strategic approach to policy design, development and implementation.

This course will step through a framework for strategic policy development, with a specific focus on the latest research and information on implementation science, using engaging practical activities exploring real-world policy problems, to translate knowledge into understanding and action.

This program is part of a strategic policy fundamentals series, designed to equip current and aspiring public policy makers with a range of tools essential for strategic policy design, development and implementation.

See related:
- Systems thinking and behavioural insights for strategic policy development
- Strategic policy fundamentals series
This course will run as an online and distance program in 2024. It is scheduled to run for two and a bit weeks, 14 - 18 March and 3 - 11 April 2024, with a course orientation / meet and greet on Thursday 14 March 2024. Dates and times for the live sessions to note in your diary are below.

  • 10:30am-11:30am Thursday 14 March 2024 – Meet and greet session
  • 11am-12:30pm Monday 18 March 2024 – Session 1
  • 11am-12:30pm Wednesday 3 April 2024 – Session 2
  • 11am-12:30pm Friday 5 April 2024 – Session 3
  • 11am-12:30pm Tuesday 9 April 2024 – Session 4
  • 11am-12:30pm Friday 12 April 2024 – Session 5

Note: Dates and times are in Canberra time AEDT/GMT+11 until 6 April 2024, then AEST/GMT+10 after that. The calendar invite for each session should automatically adjust to your timezone when you add it to your calendar. You can check at a site like this to be sure.

Course date: 
14–18 March 2024
3–12 April 2024
Venue: 
Online and distance
Cost: 

Before/by 3 March 2024: $1,195

After 3 March 2024: $1,495

Group discounts available.

Course overview

Implementation science for strategic policy development – part of the strategic policy development fundamentals series, will provide participants with a framework to develop their strategic policy skills. Participants will work through the implementation aspects of the strategic policy development framework in detail, engaging in techniques that will help to build a practical approach to strategic policy co-design and implementation.

The course will include both theoretical components, case studies and practical activities to facilitate learning, considering the latest information and evidence relevant to each topic. Participants will be required to work in small groups on a real-world policy problem. Activities undertaken are likely to include application of policy co-design techniques, development of a theory of change approach and a high-level implementation plan. Participants will also engage in role playing to understand behaviour change and games to explore systems thinking and mental models.

Participants will be provided with a workbook that will contain some of the theoretical elements discussed and materials to support the practical exercises.

Topics to be covered:

  • Introduction to the strategic policy framework, including a brief overview of systems thinking and behavioural insights
  • Implementation science – designing evidence-based policy; communicating with influence; theory of change and creating evaluation frameworks; engaging end-users in policy design; flexible policy implementation; benefits and pitfalls of pilot projects and scaling up; measuring success and intervention impact

Learning outcomes:

Public policy development in Australia exists in a highly complex and contested environment. In order for the public sector to be a leader in policy design and development, there needs to be greater understanding of the interdependent structures of public policy systems, of how human behaviour can influence and drive policy change and why we need a greater focus on the nuances of policy implementation.

This course will provide participants with tools to improve their strategic policy thinking, linking and analysis capabilities, to support policy development and delivery in a holistic, collaborative, innovative and focused way. Developing these skills across organisations in the public sector, or through MPA students, will facilitate and enable the delivery of a strategic public policy work agenda.

  • Understanding the need to take a big picture approach to policy design in order to avoid assumptions and unintended consequences and to be disciplined in defining policy problems before jumping to solution design
  • Experience using co-design and consumer engagement techniques for policy development, theory of change and high-level evaluation frameworks and implementation approaches that can be applied in the work place

Anticipated behavioural and business impacts include:

Participants will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental capabilities required for strategic policy development and the ability to employ practical strategies for developing these capabilities in the work place
  • Experience using some of the tools designed to strengthen strategic policy development, particularly the application of systems thinking, behavioural insights and implementation science
  • Participate in policy design, development and implementation in a more informed, deliberative, joined-up, innovative and cohesive manner

Who should attend?

This course is aimed at current and aspiring public policy officers/specialists (APS 6-EL1).

It is not a pre-requisite to attend Day 1 of the Series: Systems thinking and behavioural insights for strategic policy development.

Online training: How it works

This is a real-time, date-specific course, in which you will join live classes, engage and connect with experts, other course participants and the Executive Education team. Here’s how it works:

  • Pre-course live session. This is an opportunity for you to grab a cuppa and join our meet and greet before the course commences.
  • Practice + Study. Set aside up to 2 hours per day – this time commitment will vary depending on how deeply you choose to engage with the material. It is up to you.
  • Course pack. Each participant will receive a carefully curated workbook, which includes everything you need to guide you through the course.
  • Live sessions with presenter. This is a specified date and time for you to come together with the presenter and other participants to consolidate your learning.
  • Post-course. On completion of the course, you will receive your post-course resources for your reference and further learning.

Why choose online training?

  • No time off work – study and practice when you can.
  • Busy schedule? No problem, you can go at your own pace, join just the live classes, and do the course work whenever suits you best. We know that work and family obligations can be overwhelming. Mix and match the schedule to fit your life.
  • No travel. This is a course right at your fingertips. With no travel expenses, this is a very affordable option for high-level training with world-leading experts.
  • Live interaction with world-leading experts. You’ll have direct access to all the best resources and trainers.
  • Working remotely? With the online and distance format, we welcome participants from around the world to join us.

FAQs

What if I can’t make a live session? No problem, we understand you are busy. Live sessions are recorded for you to catch up in your own time.

What if I’m in a different time zone? All advertised course times from 1st October 2023 to 6th April 2024 are scheduled in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) otherwise known as GMT+11. From 6th April 2024 scheduled times are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) or GMT+10. Convert for your time zone here.

What if I am not tech savvy? As long as you have access to a phone or computer, you will have no problems. Our online courses require a working laptop, desktop or smart device with good internet connection. Bring your headset. Join the tech-check session for support and insider tips.

I would like to purchase multiple courses, are there any discounts available? Yes, discount offers are available if you would like to book multiple courses throughout the year. You may contact us to discuss further options.

I work for a company or organisation that would like to enrol multiple employees in the same time. Is it possible? Yes, discounted rates are available for groups attending from the same organisation. Get in touch with us if you want to register as a group.

Can’t find the answers are you looking for? Contact our team for support at csee@anu.edu.au.

Course presenter(s)

Erin Bowen

Erin Bowen is an experienced senior policy specialist in health and public administration, with over twenty years working at executive levels across both Commonwealth and state governments and now as a public policy consultant. She has provided leadership on whole of system strategic policy and integration, program formulation and people capability development.

Erin has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation, developing relationships with professional and community organisations to achieve outcomes. She has been integral in delivering a number of projects for government and non-government organisations, including national strategies and plans, significant Commonwealth/state joint projects, major health reform initiatives, operational and health system analysis and service re- design.

Her career experience includes a range of corporate, strategic and organisational leadership and management roles, at Commonwealth and state levels in Canberra, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

As a public policy consultant, Erin has worked in partnership with Commonwealth and state governments, non-government organisations, universities and think tanks. Key achievements include the development and delivery of a number of national health policy strategies, delivery of strategic policy training courses, facilitating policy forums and a national symposium and implementing a range of innovative public policy projects.

Erin has an Executive Masters in Public Administration from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and ANU with a specialisation in social policy, and a Bachelor of Applied Science with studies in communications and media. Erin is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Previous positions include:

  • Director, Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Health (2015-2017)
  • Director, Commission on Delivery of Health Services in Tasmania, Department of Health (2013-2014)
  • Director of Human Capital, Northern Area Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services Tasmania (2010 – 2012)
  • Director, Acute Care Policy, Acute Care Division, Department of Health (2009 – 2010)
  • A/Assistant Secretary, People Branch, Department of Health (2008 – 2009)
  • State Manager, Northern Territory Office, Department of Health (2007 – 2008)

Updated:  6 December 2024/Responsible Officer:  Crawford Engagement/Page Contact:  CAP Web Team