Paul Cairney

Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling

Profile

I combine insights from policymaking research and work with people to apply these insights to real world problems.

In doing so, I am struck by the difference between our perspectives. For example, when I work with colleagues in fields such as public health or climate change, they wonder why policymakers seem to ignore their evidence. In contrast, I assume that policymakers must find efficient ways to ignore almost all information, to make timely choices.

The politics of ‘evidence-based policymaking’

I apply two insights to interpret the use of evidence in policymaking: policymakers must ignore almost all information, and have low knowledge/ control of policy processes.

Uncertainty and ambiguity

We reduce uncertainty by providing more evidence. We reduce ambiguity by exercising power to assert one way to understand a policy problem.

Models of evidence-informed policymaking

There are several models of internally consistent evidence-informed governance, including (1) centralisation and evidential hierarchies, versus (2) localisation and storytelling.

Don’t miss out!

Join our online community to receive news on latest thinking, research, events, trainings, and our regular newsletter.