Policy Frames Research Articles

Critiquing ‘powerful knowledge’ in school geography through a decolonial lens

ABSTRACT The concept of ‘powerful knowledge’ has risen to prominence in the school curriculum in England, taking on a life both in educational policy and in the work of schools, teachers, teacher educators and students. This article conducts a decolonial critique of ‘powerful knowledge’ in school geography. We begin by reviewing research about ‘powerful knowledge’ in geography education before turning to its interpretation in education policy and curriculum framings. We then offer our decolonial critique. We argue that the concept adopts reductive binary frames and neglects the racialising politics of geographical knowledge production. In doing so, ‘powerful knowledge’ marginalises the everyday knowledge of people globally and glosses over their ‘hidden’ geographies and histories in ways that sustain racialised global inequalities. We conclude by explaining the reasons for the emergence of ‘powerful knowledge’ and arguing for its demise on account of lack of analytical rigour and inattentiveness to social justice.

Climate policy integration as a process: from shallow to embedded integration

ABSTRACT Across many policy areas, policymakers try to integrate new policy issues into old policy processes. This is challenging. Getting to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions requires radical change across a broad range of societal sectors; thus, climate policy integration is essential. This article develops a new processual perspective on climate policy integration, allowing assessment, classification, and comparison of various stages of integration across policy processes, and over time. The integration process can be shaped by differing institutional logics. In a study of Norwegian agricultural policy, we identify three logics: multifunctional, market failure, and socio-technological transition. These portray differing frames, objectives, instruments, and sector involvement as appropriate ways of linking climate concerns to agricultural policy. We suggest that a shallow integration process is characterized by a sector-specific logic that facilitates discussions of policy frames and goals. In an embedded integration process, multiple logics are mobilized, and a broader range of policy elements are discussed: frames, goals, instruments, and sector involvement in the process. Consistent and contested integration processes are intermediate categories. Climate integration in Norwegian agricultural policy had the hallmarks of a shallow process in 2006–2009 but changed to a contested process in 2016–2021.

Voice, access, and ownership: enabling environments for nutrition advocacy in India and Nigeria

What constitutes an enabling environment for nutrition advocacy in low- and middle-income countries? While a sizeable body of scholarship considers the enabling environment for nutrition policy, we focus specifically on the necessary conditions for advocacy. We argue that three factors—voice, access, and ownership—provide a useful lens into the advocacy enabling environment. These are operationalized, respectively, as the space to articulate and frame policy positions, entry points to interact with policy decision makers, and the existence of committed decision makers rather than those responding to pressures from external actors. These three factors are explored vis-à-vis a comparative analysis of two federal democracies—India and Nigeria—that each have vibrant advocacy communities confronting persistent malnutrition. Drawing on more than 100 structured interviews with nutrition advocates, government actors, donors, and researchers in the two countries, we highlight the ways in which voice, access, and ownership interactively shape advocacy efforts. In doing so, we find that Nigeria has a less ideological approach to certain nutrition issues than in India but also perceived to be more beholden to external actors in defining its nutrition actions. Recent restrictions on freedom of speech and association shrunk the civic space in India but these were less problematic in Nigeria. In both countries, the multi-tiered, multi-party system offers many different points of access into the policy arena, with sometimes negative implications for coordination. Overall, the paper contributes more broadly to the literature on enabling environments by highlighting potential indicators to guide nutrition advocates in other settings.

Editorial: Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis

This editorial serves as an introduction to <em>Media and Communication</em>’s thematic issue Policy Framing and Branding in Times of Constant Crisis. Crises cast challenges for political actors and concurrently create opportunities for policymaking, public reflections, and political competition. In times of crisis, when it comes to communicating policymaking but also framing the crisis itself, issues close to political communication (including political marketing and political branding) become of paramount relevance. The eight articles of this issue cover a broad array of subjects, expanding the understanding of the relevance of communication when it comes to policymaking in times of crisis, through the lens of policy framing and policy branding.

Policy Capacity for Urban Village Redevelopment in China: A Two-Case Case Study

Policy capacity is described as a determinant for effective policy implementation. Its contents vary according to modes of governance. Based on available academic studies, grey literature, and semi-structured interviews, this study empirically explores how urban village redevelopment has been carried out in two cities, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, through the lens of policy capacity. By contrasting policy outcomes and the manifestation of policy capacity at different levels in these two cities, we develop three arguments that contribute to our understanding of urban renewal and policy capacity. Firstly, the performance of any policy action is affected by the capacity of the central actor to develop and implement policies. Secondly, understanding the interactive logical between analytical, operational, and political capacities under different governance modes is the key to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of policy capacity in a specific sector. Shaped by local contexts and past experience, local governments are predisposed to path dependence in developing and deploying policy capacity in urban village redevelopment. Thirdly, the capabilities and resources needed to support policies are largely determined by policy problematization at the analytical level: the technique-based approach of policy capacity theory needs to complete the missing link between policy framing and ethical issues.

Oral Health Policy Framing For Thirumazhisai Town Panchayat, Thiruvallur District, Tamilnadu

Introduction Oral health is an integral part of general health and no individual can be considered fully healthy while there is active disease in the mouth as “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of oral diseases and treatment needs among 5 years, 12 years, 15 years, 35–44 years, and 65–74 years age group population residing in Thirumazhisai town panchayat, India. Materials and methods It is a Cross- sectional study conducted in Thirumazhisai town panchayat. Permanent residents with the index age group -5, 12, 15, 35- 44, 65-74 years were included. A systematic random sampling methodology is used to carry out a cross sectional study in Thirumazhisai. Sample size, N= 207. Data collection to be done using a pre-tested questionnaire and clinical examination of study participant. The first part involved collection of demographic information of participant. The dentition status, oral mucosal lesions and treatment needs were assessed based on WHO proforma. All the subjects were examined under adequate illumination using plane mouth mirror and CPITN probe. Results In this study, among 35 to 44 years age group 27%(56) were females and 19.4%(40) were males. Prevalence of dental caries was found to be high about 42% among 35-44 years age group. Prevalene of partial denture wearers ( lower denture about 5.3% and upper denture about 4.8%) among 35-44 years old age group population. Prevalence of complete denture (about 2.4% )was found to be more among 65-74 years age group of study population Conclusion In the present study, Preventive treatment was highly required among 12 years age group of study subjects.. Urgent treatment was highly required among 35-44 years old study population. Prevalence of dental caries and partial denture wearers was found to be high among 35-44 years old age group of study population.

Disconnected: Unpacking policy framing processes of energy exclusion in Spain

This paper examines the process of policy framing and narrative construction in the context of energy exclusion. Through qualitative analysis of case studies of collective, systematic, and recurrent electricity disconnections at the neighbourhood level in Spain, the study identifies two policy framings, the ‘criminalisation’ and the ‘degradation’ framing, in the process of building the phenomenon of energy exclusion as a policy problem. Highlighting the central role of problem construction in policy development, the research shows how this stage shapes the whole policy trajectory, not only determining the character of the problem but also how to solve it. The research uses textual material collected through in-depth qualitative interviews, news and press, and policy documents to critically analyse the framing process and narrative construction. The results show how conflicting interpretations of a policy situation can lead to different policy messages and the influence of structural elements, such as the dominant electricity model, in reinforcing these interpretations.

Frames and Issue Linkage: EU Trade Policy in the Geoeconomic Turn

AbstractTrading actors like the European Union (EU) are increasingly seen as geopoliticising trade policy, but such assertions may not capture the extent to which the Directorate General for Trade (DG Trade) uses this policy to achieve security objectives. This article investigates changes over time in justifications for trade policy by differentiating between how the EU and DG Trade use frames – articulated in four EU trade strategies with two DG Trade strategic plans and 10 annual management plans – to propose solutions in response to the geoeconomic turn. This article finds that, whilst DG Trade's discourse continues to reflect the dominant market liberal frame, geopoliticising pressures are encouraging the emergence of an EU counter‐frame linking trade to non‐trade issues and a reframing of the counter‐frame that increasingly links trade and security policy. As a result, the EU's framing of trade policy resembles deep geopoliticisation, whilst DG Trade's framing resembles reluctant geopoliticisation.

Same same but different: How policies frame societal-level digital transformation

The digital transformation (DT) is not only forcing companies to rethink their business models but is also challenging governments to address the question of how information technology will change society today and in the future. By setting the legal boundaries and acting as an investor and promoter of the domestic digital economy, governments actively influence in which ways this transformational process takes place. The vision and objectives how DT should be realized on state level is portrayed in well-crafted DT policies. Yet, little is known how governments, as strategic actors, see their role in the DT and how they frame these documents. In this paper, we argue that policymaking about DT is isomorphic in the global context, rather than a differentiator for countries to gain a competitive edge. Using machine learning to analyze a vast text corpus of policy documents, we identify the common repertoire of narratives used by governments from all around the globe to picture their vision of the DT and show that DT policies appear to be almost context-free due to their high similarity.

A Decade-Long Voyage of Gender Inclusion Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

During the past decade, the concept of diversity and inclusion has gained immense scope for the growth of organisations and the development of countries, thus attracting the attention of researchers and academicians. The purpose of this article is to better understand the concept of gender inclusion and provide a comprehensive review of the available literature from the past decade in this domain. The present study followed a bibliometric approach to draw inferences from 206 articles published in English over the time span of 2013–2023, retrieved from Scopus. The research methodology comprises four steps: data collection, data analysis, data visualisation and data interpretation. The research on gender inclusion has significantly increased from 2018 to 2023. The findings show the top contributing authors, prominent journals, significant keywords and dominating sectors in the research area. Despite the growing academic interest, the research in this area is still in its infancy and requires attention from researchers. The key constraint of the study is that it is based on the Scopus database, and the relevant studies that are not published in Scopus are being eliminated. This article provides useful information for managers as well as policymakers to make gender inclusion a key component while framing policies and practices. The article will provide insight on equality and sustainable goals.

The Evolution of Crisis Frames in the European Commission’s Institutional Communication (2003–2022)

Historical accounts of the EU recurrently turn to crisis as a periodizing or structuring concept, reflecting the observation made by scholars that crisis has become a permanent feature of the social construction of our social and political reality. The concept of crisis can also be exploited for strategic purposes by political actors pursuing various policy agendas. Our article analyzes the discursive uses of crises by one of the central institutions of the EU, the European Commission, based on a corpus of press releases that referred to crisis (<em>N = </em>4,414) going back two decades (2003–2022). Thus, our article examines crisis as a political language and its discursive uses. We ask: (a) how salient is the topic of “crisis” in the European Commission’s communication; (b) what are the main domains in which the crisis frame has been activated, from geographical scope to policy areas; (c) how did the deployment of crisis frames change in time along major policy areas like economy, migration, or climate change; and (d) in what terms has the crisis-frame been activated, and how does crisis word use vary by region and policy area. Methodologically, we pursue these research questions using text-as-data methods, combining natural language processing tools for identifying geographical scopes, actors, and policy areas with corpus methods for identifying keywords and collocates and manually coding the latter, relying on qualitative and quantitative reasoning. Our research contributes to understanding the dynamics of EU policy framing in times of crisis.

Astin의 모형을 활용한 대학기본역량진단 (2015~2021) 평가기준 분석

The purpose of this study is to analyze the evaluation criteria of the university basic competency assessment for universities based on Astin's learner-centered ease of use perspective. For this purpose, the I (Inputs) - E (Environment) - O (Outcomes) model of Astin (1993) and the analytical framework proposed by Kim Hyung-ran and Kim Seok-woo (2019) in their study on the analysis of evaluation indicators were reorganized according to the direction of the study. The main data for the analysis of the evaluation criteria are the indicators of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cycles of the university basic competency assessment, and the evaluation indicators are categorized into I (educational inputs), E (learning environment), and O (educational outcomes) processes and university functions and roles according to their nature. The policy implications derived from the analysis of the evaluation indicators of the basic competency assessment of universities are as follows. First, it is necessary to propose education policies that support institutional stability so that universities can invest in creating a learning environment and create value. Second, future university assessments should be conducted in a way that builds on the discourse of ease of access to education. Third, university assessment should serve as a support mechanism that leads to synergistic change by focusing on the learner-centered value of ease. Fourth, the policy frame and content of university assessment need to be harmonized. Fifth, future university assessment criteria should be used as a basis for providing directions for future university education based on the concept of learner-centered ease of use.

The Pillars of Power and Policy of Social Policymaking in Authoritarian Regimes

This article addresses the puzzle of the politics of social policy formation by two post-communist authoritarian regimes in China and Russia. It argues that two interrelated dimensions—which we term the pillars of power and policy—shape social policymaking and change in authoritarian regimes and support authoritarian regime stability. The pillar of power involves autocrats’ bargains with the public and elites, while the policy pillar includes bureaucratic and ideational processes. The latter are understood as the way policy actors perceive problems, choose solutions, and frame their policy choices. To demonstrate this empirically, the article analyzes and compares Chinese and Russian housing policies between 1990 and 2020. We find that despite bureaucratic competition within the policy pillar, neoliberal policy beliefs have guided policy while statist measures served to support—in China—and deepen—in Russia—the neoliberal approach focused on private homeownership. Yet, neoliberal measures have been channeled in ways that underpinned and adjusted the authoritarian regime bargains with different segments of the public and the elite within the pillar of power. Policy framing to match social cultural ideas was used in both countries to support public acceptance of the neoliberal measures while underlining the state’s care for people’s housing needs.

Will Artificial Intelligence be a Performance Booster to Agritech Start-Up?: Empirical Evidence from Emerging Economy

Indian agriculture is in the period of transition from traditional to modern agriculture. The role of various technologies in solving contemporary global issues is inevitable in any business sector, likewise in agriculture. This research work attempts to understand the impact of one such technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the agricultural value chain. Quantitative research methodology is followed in this research work and data is obtained from the agri companies that use AI for their operations and decision-making. A conceptual model is also developed for this purpose. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology is adopted to understand the relationship between barriers, benefits, and the future of AI and the performance of the agri value chain. Hypotheses are developed for this purpose and tested based on the data collected from agritech companies. The result obtained proves that the benefits of AI and the future of AI have a positive impact on the value chain performance which in turn have a positive influence on organizational performance. However, it is found that barriers to AI adoption do not have much influence on adopting it and on the value chain performance of agritech companies. One of the major contributions of this research work is that it would be useful to the practitioners/Government in framing policies on implementing technologies in the agricultural sector.

Urban Resilience Through Cognitive Computing Systems

ABSTRACT Global urbanization and heat-related fatalities are rapidly increasing, while the full potential of advanced information technologies to mitigate urban heat has not yet been used by city planners and policymakers. Cognitive computing systems (CCSs), which mimic human information processing and reasoning abilities, can transform how cities strategize and operate. In this commentary, we develop a framework and outline future research directions to understand the disconnect between a strategic and operational CCS, which can facilitate an effective interplay between urban policy (e.g., framing alternative policies) and urban technology (e.g., engaging local communities with data generated by sensor networks).

A Heteroglossic Lens on Washington State's Growing Dual Language for Multilingual Learners

This article examines Washington State's growing dual language program through the lens of heteroglossia. A heteroglosic lens is significant to understanding the contemporary linguistic landscape and framing language policies that will equitably serve multilingual learners and communities. With the increasing multilingual complexities of today's classrooms and the history of academic achievement gaps between monolingual and multilingual learners, heteroglossia illuminates the contextual ways in which language practices and policies hegemonize certain groups and create educational and social inequities. The article argues that unless the state's language policy is structurally revised and informed with a heteroglossic ideology and theorization of language education, its aspirational goals of equitable education for its multilingual learners may never be attained. It offers an overview of the theoretical lens of heteroglossia that must guide the planning of an equitable language policy/program that reflects multilingual learners' authentic fluid language practices.

MOOCs: Determinants of Enrolment and Completion Rate among Learners of Higher Education Institutions in India

Aims: The advancement and integration of technology in education made a dramatic change in the landscape of the teaching-learning process. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as one of the emerging trends in education removed the barriers of time, space, and pace throughout the world. Diverse lifelong learners irrespective of social, cultural, economic, age and gender identity are participating in the melting pot of MOOC. This study aimed to explore the present landscape of the participation and completion rate in MOOCs by learners from formal educational institutions in the eastern part of India specifically in West Bengal. The research also aimed to identify the underlying causes of the present landscape.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among the learners who enrolled in different programs in different Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) during the end of 2023.
 Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire in Google Forms was used to collect data from the learners. A total 298 samples have been collected. Collected data have been analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent samples ‘t’ test, ANOVA using SPSS and MS Excel.
 Results: The study depicted poor enrolment as well as completion rates in MOOCs among the learners. Lack of awareness and huge pressure on the present curriculum were the main factors behind non-enrolment. SWAYAM was the most popular MOOC platform among the students of West Bengal. Attaining knowledge, enhancing skills, and earning certificates were the main intentions of the students who enrolled in MOOCs. Lack of time, affordability, in-person proctored examination, non-cooperation of facilitators, length of courses, and uninteresting discussion forum were the major constraints to completing the MOOCs for the enrolled learners.
 Conclusion: Organizing awareness-building programs, institutional policy framing, and incorporating a credit transfer system into enrolled courses may be emphasized as immediate initiatives for re-thinking the present opportunities and challenges in higher education.

Responsibility and innovation for low waste and circular economy transitions: what roles for households?

ABSTRACT The need for waste policy to embrace CE principles through measures to avoid waste generation and improve recycling rates can be understood within the broader context of sustainability transitions. We analyze three Australian waste policies to understand how households are framed as framing policy actors. Using a governance rationalities framework inspired by Hajer (2005) and Dryzek’s (2013) work on environmental governance, we identified four discursive structures, i.e. four different problem frames with suggested solutions, measures and responsibilities. These problem frames reveal an expanding role for government and industry in waste management, alongside a more passive role for households. While anticipating that households will undertake more sorting and will reduce the amount of waste they generate, the policies lack a coherent conceptualization of the role of households as actors in circular economy transitions in Australia. Our analysis highlights and helps to understand the discrepancy between high-level CE and zero-waste policy ambitions and their implementation in practice. We conclude with suggestions on how waste policy could benefit from deliberative approaches that engage with agency for social innovation and transformation in norms and practices at the household scale.

Transgender persons and structural intersectionality: Towards menstrual justice for all menstruators in India.

Government policies concerning access to menstrual hygiene primarily focus on adolescent girls and women, leaving out transgender individuals. Addressing access to menstrual hygiene for transgender persons will require two key steps: first, their inclusion in current policies, and second, framing additional policies to address specific needs. Due to the absence of specific studies on this subject, this commentary relies on personal narratives and international studies. Improving access to menstrual hygiene among transgender individuals will require the enhancing of the availability of menstrual hygiene products, mitigating of stigma and fear of harassment, sensitising of healthcare workers, and ensuring the availability of proper washrooms. In addition, addressing the menstrual injustice experienced by transgender persons involves addressing socioeconomic factors such as caste, poverty, and access to education. Using the lens of structural intersectionality, this article undertakes a review of oppressive systems causing menstrual injustice. This approach is intended to enable policymakers and researchers to consider the multifaceted identities of menstruators, fostering a holistic understanding that will inform their approach towards achieving menstrual equality.

Janus-faced discourse in contemporary Norwegian policy framing for tackling educational inequality? A critical analysis of contemporary tensions and contradictions

This paper focuses on contemporary tensions and contradictions in current Norwegian educational policy discourse. Based on critical discourse analysis (CDA) of Norwegian governmental white papers our analysis reveals that contemporary Norwegian policy formulation is torn between an egalitarian and a selection discourse about how to tackle educational inequality in the Norwegian comprehensive school system. The egalitarian discourse is characterised by principles like inclusion, equity and recognising diversity in the education system with a stated aim to balance educational outcomes. The selection discourse advertises greater selection, competition, and outcome control in the light of international competition and calls for better correspondence between schooling, higher education, and labour market needs. Paradoxically, both discourses are advertising themselves as proper solutions for tackling and reducing educational inequality in Norway. Taking indications of growing social inequality in Norway into consideration we conclude that growing importance of selection and competition arguments in contemporary Norwegian educational policy have increased dissonance and inconsistency in discourse and have started to overpower egalitarian values. We conclude that this will, against egalitarian creed and rhetorical claim in Norwegian educational policy, rather foster than reduce educational inequality.