Professional skills and experience are essential for an effective policy practitioner. This course has been specially developed to offer Crawford School students the opportunity to develop and advance their skills in applied policy research and practical application through the Applied Policy Project (APP). As a course offering for all degrees in the Crawford School, APP offers the chance to work in multi-disciplinary teams to undertake and deliver policy research for a client organisation.

Develop your practical policy skills and experience

APP involves small project groups of Crawford School students undertaking applied research for real-world policy organisations. Each project is initiated by clients from the public or non-government sectors, for example government departments, think tanks, peak bodies, advocacy groups, and advisory institutions. The course is designed specifically to give students an opportunity to extend their academic skills into the professional world.

Working in groups, students learn about the inner workings of policy organisations through the process of designing and conducting research on their behalf. In each project, students are required to understand client research needs, define research problems, formulate research questions, gather and analyse policy relevant data, and structure and produce a research report for the client.

Throughout the course, students deepen their knowledge about a substantive policy area and gain exposure to the operations of policy organisations, as well as gaining professional skills in applied research methods, effective group work, negotiating client relationships, report writing and oral presentations.

Course coordination

APP is co-ordinated by an Academic Convenor who has overall responsibility for the course, including assessment. Each research group will be guided by an experienced Project Advisor with relevant skills and knowledge.

Application process

Participant numbers in the APP are limited and entry is based on an application process. Students are required to submit a 300 word application in which they outline:

• expectations of the course and how this fits with career goals
• experience and skills relevant to the course, and
• the names of two referees from Crawford faculty.

Successful applicants will be determined by the Academic Convenor.

Course overview

APP is a 6-unit course conducted over a 13-week period. Students work in groups to develop and deliver the research to the client organization. Formal meetings consist of:

• four skills based seminars throughout the semester (each three hours)
• two student presentations sessions
• group meetings with project advisers.

Successful completion of the course requires participation in all four seminars, and presentations sessions in addition to the assessment as outlined.

Further course information

For full course details visit ANU Programs and Courses