International Centre for Public and Social Policy (IcPSP)
ICPSP brings research into social policies and public policies together. The Centre is unique as Social and Public Policy are often located in separate university departments. A particular advantage of the Centre is that it enables closer collaboration between academics and researchers, doctoral students and taught Masters students from both disciplines.
We investigate a range of the many local, national, cross-national and global developments, issues and social problems which are relevant to contemporary societies.
Our aim is to alert a diverse audience of users, practitioners, voluntary organisations and policy-makers to our research in order to help shape discussions of the policy reforms crucial to the future prosperity and wellbeing of society.
We also have a longer statement of our research aims (pdf).
Our international focus is reflected in many of the research studies and evaluation projects that we conduct. Our research applies the Centre’s distinctive strengths in theory, research design and methodology to the analysis of policy formulation, implementation, outcomes and impacts. Over the last 7 years our projects have included the following themes and activities:
Cross-national comparisons
For example:
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A study of policy developments in South Korea and Turkey
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The impact of global forces on labour markets in China
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An analysis of income inequality, gender and intra-household resource allocation in China
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Policies for parental leave, childcare and work-family reconciliation in European countries
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Young carers in a global context (USA, Australia, sub-Saharan Africa and the UK)
Policy evaluations
For example:
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‘Accessing Customer Services in Jobcentre Plus’, a qualitative study for the Department of Work and Pensions
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A review of the interaction between the Income Support benefit system and employment
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Review of the impacts for children of family breakdown and the effect welfare systems have on family structure
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An examination of public expenditure cuts and their impact on Nottingham
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A review of the Incapacity Benefits System for the States of Jersey
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Policy evaluations of adult carers assessments for two local authorities in the UK
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Evaluation of the UK’s New Deal for Disabled People
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Analysis of the UK’s Social Fund, with recommendations for its reform
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Analysis of policy networks in policing in the UK
Conferences, Workshops & Seminars
In recent years we have organised and hosted several major conferences, including ‘From Third Way to Which Way?’, the annual conference of the Social Policy Association. We also co-organised the 2010 Policy & Politics conference at Bristol University, ‘Politics of Austerity or the Austerity of Politics?’
We hosted the Founding Workshop for The Astarte Programme, a joint initiative between the ICPSP and the Public Management and Policy Association; see http://astarte.uk.net/?page_id=2
We hosted the following workshop on research opportunities in public and social policy:
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‘Research Opportunities – the voluntary sector and beyond’ Angus Anderson and Sharon Clancy
We also organise a seminar programme. Recent presentations include:
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How should we understand science policy and where can we find it?
Dr Sujatha Raman
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Academic Publishing in the 21st century: A guide for the perplexed
Alison Shaw, Director of the Policy Press
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“The third way is dead, long live the third way”. The strange death of New Labour’s welfare reforms.
Professor Alan Deacon
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Conservative social policy: A coalition of Conservatives?
Professor Hugh Bochel
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”Credit Crunch”: We are missing the point
Richard Minns
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State welfare and political legitimacy
Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby
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Financialization ‘off-plan’: The displacement of UK buy-to let
Professor Andrew Leyshon
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What (if anything) is wrong with inheritance tax?
Dr Stuart White
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Joined up (good) governance? Links and missing links between evidence and policy
Dr John Turnpenny
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Trust: The first casualty of partnership working
Professor John Diamond
The Next Generation of Researchers
The ICPSP’s international nature is also reflected in the students it attracts. In recent years we have taught postgraduate and research students from Canada, China, Ghana, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea, UK, USA, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
The Centre houses a number of research students undertaking doctoral research and also offers the following:
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MA in International Social Policy
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MA in Public Policy
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MA in Public Administration (MPA)
The Professional Doctorate Programmes are in Public Policy and Public Management and are aimed at practitioners in the public and not-for-profit sectors who are keen to combine further academic study with developing their professional practice.
Finally, the Centre houses a long-established undergraduate degree in Social Policy. We also contribute to the joint honours BA Sociology & Social Policy, and to the BA Social Work & Social Policy.
Membership
Staff members currently contributing to the ICPSP include:
Further information
For further information please contact:
Taught masters degrees
Doctorate programmes
Alison.Haigh@nottingham.ac.uk
Undergraduate and evaluations
Tony.Fitzpatrick@nottingham.ac.uk
Research and evaluations
Bruce.Stafford@nottingham.ac.uk