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Academia's influence on public policy discussed

14 December 2005

A new book conceived by the Director of the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements, Professor John Nieuwenhuysen AM, has been launched at the annual symposium of the Academy of Social Sciences.

The book focuses on how research and analysis in the social sciences has influenced public opinion and government policy. It was co-edited by Monash politics professor and Fellow of the Academy Professor James Walter and provided the framework for the symposium.

In launching the book, Head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Dr Peter Shergold AO, also a Fellow of the Academy, said the book brought a welcome sense of history to the uncomfortable tension that often existed between academic researchers and policy makers.

He said the relationships between social science and public policy, and between academics and public servants, were crucial but not in "particularly good shape".

"If this book can help improve the workability of the 'scholarship policy interface', it will have made a major contribution," Dr Shergold said. "We need to build bridges based on empathy and agreement."

Professor Nieuwenhuysen said the volume was a challenging and important analysis of current practice and an argument for how communities might achieve a more workable policy of broad social -- as well as political -- benefit.

"This shows that expert knowledge can shape better futures," he said.

It was the first occasion in the academy's history on which a single volume formed the foundation for the full day of an academy symposium.