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POLI-D557

Innovations in policy evaluation

academic year
2023-2024
2024-2025

Course teacher(s)

Giovanni ESPOSITO (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

This course introduces students to innovative policy evaluation techniques that go beyond conventional methods, such as difference-in-difference, social experiments, and before-and-after approaches. Participants will explore novel approaches, including field experiments, strategic foresight, cognitive-behavioral techniques, participatory approaches, and citizen science.  The course begins by situating policy evaluation within the public policy decision-making cycle, highlighting the essential role of evidence in informed policymaking. Following an overview of the conventional evaluation techniques mentioned above, students will first gain foundational knowledge in policy design, then explore how these innovative approaches work and can be used to inform and strengthen policy design.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

The objective of this course is to familiarize participants with innovative approaches to policy evaluation, equipping them with the skills to apply these methods to improve policy design.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

- Proficiency in English

- Basic understanding of public policy and administration processes

- Basic understanding qualitative and quantitative research methods

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and Expert Insights: Ex-cathedra lectures complemented by guest presentations from international experts.

Interactive Sessions: In-class, student-led thematic discussions based on pre-assigned articles, with participants organized into small groups.

Contribution to the teaching profile

This course strengthens participants’ understanding of policy evaluation methods that are applicable in public administration contexts or by consultancy organizations working with government entities.

Other information

Contacts

Office:  S.15.127 (Building S)
E-mail: giovanni.esposito@ulb.be 

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • written examination
  • Group work
  • Other

written examination

  • Closed question with multiple choices (MCQ)

Group work

Other

Individual written examination
Multiple-Choice Questions: Assesses understanding of key concepts and methodologies covered throughout the course.

Group examination
In-Class Group Work: Student-led thematic discussions based on pre-assigned articles, encouraging collaboration and the practical application of novel policy evaluation approaches.

Other
Proactive Participation: Active engagement in class discussions and activities, demonstrating critical thinking and the ability to apply course concepts in real-time.

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes