Evidence-Based Policy
The relation between research and policy has been the subject of scientific and political debates for decades. The debates also revolve around how knowledge generated using scientific methods can help politicians to anticipate problems, can aid decision making, and can support policy assessment. The possibilities and limits of this kind of policy advising have been under intensive discussion in recent years and have gained new relevance under the title "evidence-based policy." Andreas Balthasar has studied the relation between research and policy for years. In a project in the Swiss National Science Foundation’s National Research Programme "Gender Equality" (NRP 60), he and a team of co-researchers at the University of Lucerne and at Interface Policy studies Research Consulting are currently examining whether evidence-based and gender-sensitive information was available to cantonal policy makers for decisions in the tax and social transfer policy area, and what influence this information had on policy making. As to methods, the project has both quantitative and qualitative parts. As a starting point of the quantitative analysis, an inventory of relevant family policy decisions at the cantonal level will be drawn up first. The next step is to examine whether the policy making was based on evidence-based information, and whether differences among the cantons can be explained by the language and cultural context, legal regulations, political balances of powers, or other factors. In addition, selected decision-making processes in six cantons will be investigated as case studies with the aim to compile a detailed analysis of the effects.
Projects and Publications
Binder, Claudia R.; Fritz, Livia; Balthasar, Andreas; Hansmann, Ralph; Roose, Zilla (im Erscheinen): Increasing the relevance of science for practice & practice for science: Quantitative empirical insights. Science and Public Policy.
Balthasar, Andreas; Schalcher, Hans-Rudolf (2020): Forschung für die Schweizer Energiezukunft : Resümee des Nationalen Forschungsprogramms «Energie». Hrsg.: Leitungsgruppen der Nationalen Forschungsprogramme «Energiewende» (NFP 70) und «Steuerung des Energieverbrauchs» (NFP 71). Schweizerischer Nationalfonds, Bern.
Balthasar, Andreas; Müller, Franziska (2016): Gender equality and evidence-based policy making: Experiences from social transfer and tax policy reforms, in: Liebig, Brigitte; Gottschall, Karin; Sauer, Birgit (Hrsg.): Gender equality in context : policies and practices in Switzerland (pp. 87–108). Opladen, Berlin, Toronto: Barbara Budrich Publishers
Project: Balthasar, Andreas; Müller, Franziska; Maisenbacher, Julia (2010): Wie evidenzbasiert und gendersensibel ist die Politikgestaltung in Schweizer Kantonen? Das Beispiel der Steuerpolitik und der Sozialtransfers zugunsten von Familien. Soziale Sicherheit CHSS, Nr. 6/10, S. 305–309.
Project: Science and Politics – What policy actors believe in.