DCSF and its research centresStephen WittResearch Strategy, DCSFPresentation at DCSF Conference: The Use of Evidence in Policy Developmentand Delivery, 9 February 2010

Considering the existing centres Internal ‘stock-take’ looked at:

• the role and cost-effectiveness of centres within wider research commissioning

• their fit with policy objectives (especially with creation of DCSF)

• their synergy with DCSF’s other analytical work (internal and external)

• policy influence (early intervention, school effects, lifecourse perspective)

A review of centres •The value and overall contribution of the suite of centres, not individually

•Looking forward not just retrospective

•Broad questions:

•what does the Dept gain from centres?

•how could they best support Dept in future?

•improvements to governance and management?

•what value relative to ad-hoc commissioning?

Process and conclusions

• Involved internal & external stakeholders, centres • Broad summary of findings:

• respected / seen as valuable by all stakeholder groups

• important asset – future opportunities to capitalise on expertise, data, methods, concepts, tools from earlier phases

• help to re-conceptualise and develop policy, and provide important research-based tools

• policymaker engagement important but varies considerably; management of research-policy relationship is the key issue for the future

http://www.sfre.ac.uk/resources/england/

Taking new centres forward• Debating – and accepting – the principles: - centres have an important role - need to refresh themes and re-tender

• Considering number, scale and focus

• Tackling the policy engagement issue - structure and functions of planned centres - policy input to scope and initial work programmes

• Competitive commissioning, with much interest

• Led to → → → →