The Policy Lab

What shapes public attitudes toward immigrants and refugees

Ongoing conflict in Syria and a crisis of displacement has placed issues of refugee and immigration policy on the agenda of wealthy countries. Public debate has also been catalysed through the media, most notably with the…

The emerging role of innovation labs. Canberra Workshop October 15

At The Policy Lab at The University of Melbourne we have been studying the rapid growth of public sector innovation labs around the world. These labs employ a range of social science and other methods and are seen…

Thinking Creatively, Acting Routinely?

On Wednesday June 6, Director of The Policy Lab Professor Jenny Lewis will give a public lecture on ‘Thinking Creatively, Acting Routinely? Innovation, Design and Experimentation in the Policy Process’.

Can experts freeze public deliberation?

Expert advice, particularly around issues such as health, is widely drawn on to improve public policy. Experts can steer public deliberation about policy and help to reduce the risk of policy failure.

What you need to know about Public Sector Innovation Labs in Australia and New Zealand

Exciting new job opportunities at The Policy Lab

We have three new job opportunities at The Policy Lab.

Research Coordinator at The Policy Lab

In collaboration with the Director, the appointee will assist in developing and coordinating the…

Is co-design a policy unicorn?

There has been a plethora of claims in recent years about what co-design can do and why we should be using it, especially in the public sector.

Co-design, we are told, can help us to generate more innovative ideas, ensure policies and services match…

New research projects for The Policy Lab

2017 has been an exciting year for The Policy Lab. We have turned one year old, begun several new research projects and landed some prestigious competitive grants.

What is stopping social scientists from collaborating more?

Research collaboration, broadly meaning teams of researchers working together on a common topic, is being encouraged within countries, between countries, within regions, and globally. Research teams and institution-wide…