Some%20Political%20Context(s)%20of%20Research%20Evaluation

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Some Political Context(s) of Research Evaluation

• J.Adam Holbrook, P.Eng.
• Centre for Policy Research on Science and
  Technology,Simon Fraser University
• Vancouver, BC

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CPROST
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Centre for Policy Research on Science and
Technology

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Evaluation and Transparency

• the need for instant gratification
• Question Period Australian rules House
  Committee hearings
• the role of unelected opposition e.g. the media
• perceived need for zero failures

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People and Evaluation

• a mixture of policy, forecasting, resource
  allocation and classic evaluation
• equality of opportunity (not employment),
  particularly based on location
• increasing importance of life-style/location
  issues. (culture and tolerance)

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Regional issues in evaluation

• the OECD notes national systems of innovation
  paradigm offers new scope for government
  policies/programmes. Previously government ST
  policies/programmes focused on market failures.
  Studies of innovation systems can identify
  systemic failures
• national systems of innovation are usually the
  sum of several regional systems. Sometimes these
  regional systems of innovation are often weak.
• evaluation studies are usually carried out at the
  national level. But what happens in areas where
  manufacturing is not the predominant sector?
  Industrial demographics often skew results
  tending to mask regional effects

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Regional issues in evaluation (continued)

• non-metropolitan areas usually have more
  government ST activity simply because regional
  systems are weak simply because they lack the
  richness of connections usually found in the
  major industrial clusters
• in non-metropolitan areas federal agencies are
  frequently asked to assume a leadership role as
  knowledge suppliers.
• is there a corresponding pull from the region
  - clearly identifiable community-based technology
  forums which can articulate local demands for
  technology

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Assisting Political Choices

• deciding what not to do
• identification of competitive advantages
• identification and intervention in market failure
• identification and intervention in ST/innovation
  systems failure
• the role of publicly funded ST in infrastructure
  development