Policy Team Research Articles

Briefing: What does the new Labour government mean for infrastructure – and what are the ICE’s priorities for engagement?

Laura Cunliffe-Hall is Lead Policy Manager in the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Policy and External Affairs team. She discusses the Institution’s plans for engaging the new government and the announcements of note for infrastructure and development.

ТОВАРНА ПОЛІТИКА ПІДПРИЄМСТВА ЯК ОБ’ЄКТ МАРКЕТИНГОВОГО АНАЛІЗУ І ПЛАНУВАННЯ

Introduction. For the effective organization of marketing activities of the enterprise, it is important to rationally build a product policy, which is the basis for making marketing decisions related to the features of the product purchase and the mechanism of its promotion from the manufacturer to the end consumer. The purpose of the article is an in-depth study of the theoretical and methodological aspects of the analysis and planning of marketing product policy (PMP) by developing the structure of the enterprise's PMP strategic plan and building a product management model. Methods. Using the method of analysis and synthesis made it possible to propose an own approach to marketing planning of product policy. Results. The article provides a theoretical analysis of literary sources regarding the interpretation of the concept of PMP by various authors, the expediency of marketing analysis and product policy planning is substantiated. Based on the study of foreign experience, the structure of the enterprise's PMP strategic plan was developed. The relationship between the formation of the PMP «roadmap» and the need to check the maturity of the marketing product policy team, which is represented by such entities and processes as management, employees, PMP implementation tools, business processes and production organization, is presented. Conclusions. Improving MTP planning is one of the most important ways to increase the efficiency of the enterprise. It is important to carry out such marketing planning, which helps to substantiate the impact of the enterprise's general corporate strategy, business strategies on the product strategy.

The Donald Trump Factor and US-Ukrainian Relations (2017-2020): From Strategic Friendship to Cold Partnership

This article analyses the dynamics of relations between Ukraine and the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump, covering the approaches of the parties to bilateral cooperation, key events and issues. It describes in detail the main features of Washington’s policy towards Ukraine during this period, the factors that shaped it and the reasons for any contradictions involved. It is noted that the course of the Trump administration’s foreign policy towards Ukraine has been shaped by three factors: strong pressure from Congress, contradictions between the president and his foreign policy team, and public suspicions of collusion between Trump’s entourage and the Kremlin in the 2016 US presidential election, which was accompanied by a bitter domestic political struggle. With no room for manoeuvre in such circumstances, the Trump administration chose the safest course of action – to continue the policy of the Obama administration with certain tactical changes designed to demonstrate a more decisive stance than its predecessor. These involved a significant increase in economic and military assistance to Ukraine, including the provision of lethal weapons and the appointment of Kurt Volker as US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations. Based on extensive empirical evidence, this paper also highlights the progress made and achievements with regard to cooperation in four areas that made up the Ukrainian-US relations agenda during the period covered: political dialogue, security, energy projects and the fight against corruption. The author shows that the contradictory nature of US policy towards Ukraine under Trump comprised a combination of a significant increase in military assistance and a decrease in the intensity of high-level political contacts.

A self-assessment maturity matrix to support large-scale change using collaborative networks in the New Zealand health system

BackgroundA maturity matrix can be a useful tool for organisations implementing large-system transformation (LST) initiatives in complex systems. Insights from implementation of a local LST initiative using collaborative networks, known as Alliances, highlighted a tool was needed to help health system leaders prompt discussions on how and where to focus their change efforts. In the New Zealand (NZ) health system, Alliances were introduced to integrate the planning and delivery of health care between primary and hospital care.MethodsThe aim of this research was to use insights from Alliance members to develop a learning tool that collaborative networks could use to assess and improve their readiness for change. We constructed a maturity matrix using the knowledge of senior NZ health system leaders, in a workshop setting. The maturity matrix was empirically tested and refined with three Alliances and with feedback from the NZ Ministry of Health Māori Health Strategy and Policy team.ResultsThe maturity matrix described the 10 key elements that had been found to support successful implementation of LST initiatives in the NZ health system, along with success indicators and different stages of maturity from beginning to excellence. Testing of the maturity matrix with three Alliances suggested that it functioned as a learning tool and stimulated collective thinking and reflection. The Māori Health Strategy and Policy team commented on the importance of such a tool to increase health system leaders’ responsiveness to improving Māori health outcomes. Comparisons with similar international matrices revealed common elements with ours. A strength of our maturity matrix is that it is specific to the NZ context and is the first practical tool to implement large-scale change in the health system that incorporates principles of the Government’s treaty with Māori, the indigenous people of NZ.ConclusionsThrough a regular self-assessment process, use of the maturity matrix may create feedback loops to support deliberate learning and knowledge sharing for senior health system leaders and collaborative networks. The maturity matrix fills an important gap in the NZ health system and contributes to implementation science literature internationally.OtherThis study was approved by the Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee (Ethics Approval Number 27,356). The research was supported by the Victoria University of Wellington research grant (222,809) and from the University of Auckland Department of Medicine research fund (H10779).

Briefing: Closing the climate resilience infrastructure gap

Laura Cunliffe-Hall has been leading the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Policy and External Affairs team’s work on climate resilience and adaptation. She discusses the role of resilience and adaptation in developing a stronger and more innovative infrastructure system.

BCS in the News: February to April 24

Abstract From deepfakes and professional standards to AI's electoral impact and the spring budget, the BCS Policy and Press team have worked tirelessly on all of this and more throughout spring 2024. Claire Penketh reports.

UFPEL’S INTERNATIONALIZATION AT HOME

This paper builds on the concept of Internationalization at Home (IaH) to describe five initiatives implemented at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) from 2021 to 2022. Aligned with UFPel’s Strategic Plan for Internationalization (2018) and the institutional Language Policy (2020), these initiatives were conceived and implemented by the International Office’s Language Policy Team seeking to create an academic environment that promotes international and intercultural understanding. The work offers an analysis of the challenges and outcomes of these initiatives, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data. The results highlight the impact of these initiatives in terms of improved language skills, enhanced academic literacy, and the integration of languages into curricula.Keywords: Linguistic Policy, Initiatives, Academic Practices

BCS News, Impact and Influence

Abstract The BCS Policy and Press team had their finger on the pulse during autumn and the beginning of the year commenting on top technology stories ranging from the Post Office scandal to the AI Summit. Claire Penketh reports.

Learning From International Comparators of National Medical Imaging Initiatives for AI Development: Multiphase Qualitative Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic drove investment and research into medical imaging platforms to provide data to create artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the management of patients with COVID-19. Building on the success of England's National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database, the national digital policy body (NHSX) sought to create a generalized national medical imaging platform for the development, validation, and deployment of algorithms. This study aims to understand international use cases of medical imaging platforms for the development and implementation of algorithms to inform the creation of England's national imaging platform. The National Health Service (NHS) AI Lab Policy and Strategy Team adopted a multiphased approach: (1) identification and prioritization of national AI imaging platforms; (2) Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) factor analysis deep dive into national AI imaging platforms; (3) semistructured interviews with key stakeholders; (4) workshop on emerging themes and insights with the internal NHSX team; and (5) formulation of policy recommendations. International use cases of national AI imaging platforms (n=7) were prioritized for PESTLE factor analysis. Stakeholders (n=13) from the international use cases were interviewed. Themes (n=8) from the semistructured interviews, including interview quotes, were analyzed with workshop participants (n=5). The outputs of the deep dives, interviews, and workshop were synthesized thematically into 8 categories with 17 subcategories. On the basis of the insights from the international use cases, policy recommendations (n=12) were developed to support the NHS AI Lab in the design and development of the English national medical imaging platform. The creation of AI algorithms supporting technology and infrastructure such as platforms often occurs in isolation within countries, let alone between countries. This novel policy research project sought to bridge the gap by learning from the challenges, successes, and experience of England's international counterparts. Policy recommendations based on international learnings focused on the demonstrable benefits of the platform to secure sustainable funding, validation of algorithms and infrastructure to support in situ deployment, and creating wraparound tools for nontechnical participants such as clinicians to engage with algorithm creation. As health care organizations increasingly adopt technological solutions, policy makers have a responsibility to ensure that initiatives are informed by learnings from both national and international initiatives as well as disseminating the outcomes of their work.

A policy impact case study using real world data from Welsh government fuel poverty schemes to inform scheme design

ObjectivesTo reduce fuel poverty in Wales: the Welsh Government developed schemes to provide energy efficiency improvements to lower income households.
 To inform scheme design: investigate health impacts by linking scheme data to health records.
 Presented objective: to demonstrate how research findings using real world data can impact policy focus.
 ApproachThe research was conducted by an independent researcher at Swansea University who co-produced research questions with the Welsh Government Fuel Poverty Policy Team.
 A longitudinal dataset was created linking anonymised ‘Warm Homes: Nest’ improvements data to residents’ routine health records in the SAIL Databank at Swansea University. We examined recipient health before and after intervention compared with controls.
 A high-level policy briefing and research report were published in the Welsh Government Social Research – Analysis for Policy series.
 Findings were used to design and pilot new eligibility criteria to capture low-income individuals with a respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition.
 ResultsThis presentation will describe the policy impact pathway from initial discussions with policymakers to real world change, including:
 
 securing ESRC funding for a Knowledge Transfer Fellowship, which included a 2013 data linking demonstration project…
 …which allowed funding to be secured for a 2015-18 research project on the impact of improvements on recipient health…
 …which published emerging findings in 2016…
 …and substantive findings in 2017, showing a significant positive impact of improvements on recipient health…
 …which policymakers used to design a pilot to test ways to widen eligibility criteria to include individuals on a low income with a respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition…
 …which led to scheme criteria being widened in 2019.
 
 By 2021, 25% of recipients entered the scheme via the ‘health route’.
 ConclusionBy delivering research findings generated using linked real world data, and focused on questions co-produced with policymakers, researchers can successfully impact the design and implementation of government policy, thereby improving the lives of people in the real world - in this case, the health of the citizens of Wales.

From film to philanthropy

From film to philanthropy

Finding common ground: Co-producing national soil policy in Wales through academic and government collaboration

Several agricultural reforms are in progress in the UK following its withdrawal from the EU. This is an opportunity to formulate a Welsh Soils Policy Statement (SPS) that raises the status of soils and ensures that their protection and sustainable management are integrated into future policy. We share and reflect on our novel approach at co-producing a SPS for Wales involving academic researchers and policy teams and provide clear insights into soil policy development. Building consensus among the various government departments and agencies formed the basis of our approach. For pragmatic reasons, it was decided to focus on agricultural soils, which cover 85% of Wales. A rigorous evidence review and synthesis formed the foundation for the development of the SPS, which devises a vision, and primary and secondary objectives for Welsh agricultural soils. A first draft was conceived by the researchers, with further iterations developed between the researchers and the policy team. The researchers were embedded into the policy teams, and this proved to be an effective mechanism for evidence-based policy development that also enhances the science-policy relationship in the longer term. New structures and incentives that promote the engagement between researchers and policymakers should be developed to support environmental policymaking across the board.

Lessons learned about policymaking: Moving an emergency department-initiated screening protocol to systemwide input in the development and implementation process.

Lessons learned about policymaking: Moving an emergency department-initiated screening protocol to systemwide input in the development and implementation process.

Mongolia becoming a permanent neutral nation? Focusing on the debate and challenges of the permanent neutral nation policy

Mongolia found itself increasingly under pressure to back Russia over Ukraine and China in its disputes with Japan and in the South China Sea. In this emerging scenario, taking sides would be extremely costly for a small state. However, since September 2015, when Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and his foreign policy team launched a campaign both domestically and abroad to institutionalize a ‘permanent neutrality’ status, foreign policy pundits in Ulaanbaatar had been intensively debating whether or not Mongolia should enact such a policy. But finally, on May 6, 2020, the Mongolian government decided that ‘Resolution No. 375 ratified in September 2015 will be nullified, and we will take measures not to promote Mongolia’s policies related to a permanent neutral nation’ through resolution No. 162. As the concern that Mongolia's promotion of the permanent neutral nation policy could eventually significantly reduce the flexibility of its multi-pillar foreign policy, the Mongolian government nullified its permanent neutral nation policy.

Introduction to indoor air quality

Editors-in-Chief Neil Donahue and Kristopher McNeill, and Daniel Korbel and Hannah Macdonald from the RSC's Policy and Evidence team, introduce the themed issue on indoor air quality.

Research on the strategies of scientific research feeding back teaching in mechanical engineering

With the increasing attention paid to the concept of scientific research back-feeding teaching in colleges and universities, the mechanical engineering has put forward higher requirements for the cultivation of applied talents in the new era. This paper analyzes the problems existing in scientific research back-feeding teaching of the mechanical engineering, and puts forward improvement measures from the aspects of policy support, mechanism operation, reward incentive and team building, so as to promote the role of scientific research in promoting teaching and improve the talents cultivation quality.

NHS policy team designing menopause referral service for community pharmacy

NHS policy team designing menopause referral service for community pharmacy

Внешнеполитическая стратегия администрации Юн Сок Ёля и американо-южнокорейский альянс

The article studies new foreign policy of South Korea after the administration change in Seoul in May 2022. Over the last period, the external environment for the country has become more complex. That was due to the growth of rivalry between the USA and China, COVID‑19 pandemic implications as well as the Ukrainian crisis, which resulted in increased global and regional instability and disruption of previously established supply chains. Along with that, the confrontation on the Korean Peninsula has become deeper and more protracted with no way forward to break that impasse. All previous attempts to engage North Korea into the dialogue, made by the Moon Jae-in administration, have failed. Those factors affected the priorities chosen by the new administration in foreign affairs. The author concentrates on the concept of the “global pivotal state” announced by the Yoon Suk-yeol’s government. With the criticism of the previous government’s approach that was narrowly focused on Inter-Korean agendas, the new foreign policy team is going to pursue the brand of a “value diplomacy”, emphasizing South Korea’s role in promoting “liberal democracy” and “rules-based regional order”. As for North Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol has shifted his strategy to a hard-line approach which implied strengthening deterrence and raising credibility of the U.S. assurances to provide a nuclear umbrella to defend its ally. The article highlights Seoul’s new policy aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the “comprehensive global alliance” between the ROK and the USA that presupposes cooperation on a wide range of international and regional agendas beyond the Korean Peninsula. The paper explores some emerging political dimensions of South Korea in the Indo-Pacific region. It is shown that Seoul wishes to be an active participant of the U.S. – led minilateral arrangements to ensure its expanded economic and security interests in the region.

OP78 Taking A Societal Perspective In Health Technology Assessment: Is Environmental Impact A Special Case?

IntroductionA source of debate among the health technology assessment (HTA) community is what perspective should be taken in health economic evaluations. Many stakeholders advocate that a societal perspective is taken in order to include a comprehensive range of costs and outcomes and (in theory) make societally optimal decisions. The Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine recommended that a societal perspective be presented alongside a health sector one. The Second Panel included environment as one item on its impact inventory—alongside productivity, education, and others—intended to support the use of a societal perspective. However, many HTA agencies, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), have continued to use health sector-specific evaluations to inform decision-making. The presentation seeks to examine whether consideration of the environmental impact of healthcare requires/implies the formal adoption of a societal perspective in health economic analyses.MethodsThe presentation will provide an overview of the societal perspective, explaining how it differs from a health sector perspective and describing its main strengths and weaknesses. We then present policy analysis undertaken by NICE’s Science Policy and Research team to identify reasons for measuring environmental impact in HTAs and examine whether these align with the broader arguments for or against adopting a societal perspective in economic analyses.ResultsThree reasons for considering environmental impact are identified: (i) to support parallel policies which demand healthcare system transformation against emissions targets; (ii) to ensure planetary and human health, in the future as well as the present; and (iii) to offset future healthcare resource use. We show that only the third reason aligns with arguments related to the choice of perspective for economic analyses. Moreover, this reason is arguably better aligned to maintaining a (potentially modified) health sector perspective. The implications of the results will be discussed with reference to updating reimbursement decision-making frameworks, such as those used by NICE, to account for the environmental consequences of healthcare.

Opportunities and Challenges of Municipal Planning in Shaping Vertical Neighbourhoods in Greater London

Production of housing in London is driven by three factors: a housing crisis that requires the construction of more than 1.6 million homes by 2025, a model of social housing production mainly delivered through private developers’ contributions, and a metropolitan governance structure through which housing targets are allocated to municipalities with highly unequal pressures, being inner London boroughs the ones with the highest targets to meet. In the context of a non-prescriptive and liberalised planning system, this threefold scenario has resulted in the construction of unprecedented residential landscapes, dominated by high-density and high-rise buildings. Tower Hamlets Council is at the forefront of this challenge both in the UK and Europe and is trying to develop planning tools to shape them. This article discusses three innovative supplementary planning documents (SPDs) produced by the policy team that have had unequal success in shaping different aspects of this form of development: the South Quay Masterplan SPD, the High Density Living SPD, and the soon-to-be-adopted Tall Building SPD. A comparative analysis of these planning documents and the perception of urban planners working at different stages of the planning process on the effectiveness and limitations of these SPDs in shaping vertical neighbourhoods shed light on the key factors influencing the role municipal planning can have in delivering a built environment that supports residents’ quality of life. By doing so, this case study illustrates the limitations of municipal planning and planners in local government, pointing to more structural and strategic issues of metropolitan governance.