Deploying technological and engineering insights in infrastructure policy practice
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Science, Tech, Eng and Public Policy
Abstract
How are technological and engineering insights deployed in infrastructure policy practice? In answering this question, our research will also have to tackle the following points:
Why do interactions between engineering experts and other policy officials happen the way they do?
How can engineering experts communicate insights generated by advanced technological tools (like CAD software)?
How does technology mediate or translate engineering expertise into policy?
Where should engineering experts sit within the policy structure/network?
Are engineering experts trained (or not) to best influence policy making and get their evidence across?
What is the nature of the engineering insights shared by experts and how does it impact policy practice?
What can be learned from scientific insight deployment into infrastructure policy in other countries?
Why do interactions between engineering experts and other policy officials happen the way they do?
How can engineering experts communicate insights generated by advanced technological tools (like CAD software)?
How does technology mediate or translate engineering expertise into policy?
Where should engineering experts sit within the policy structure/network?
Are engineering experts trained (or not) to best influence policy making and get their evidence across?
What is the nature of the engineering insights shared by experts and how does it impact policy practice?
What can be learned from scientific insight deployment into infrastructure policy in other countries?
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/R513143/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2264956 | Studentship | EP/R513143/1 | 23/09/2019 | 22/09/2023 | Laurent-Olivier Liote |
| Description | - Successful mapping of the "intra-ministerial engineering-policy interface", i.e. how engineers and policy advisors collaborate to create energy policies. - Successful exploration of the differences between science advice and engineering advice for public policy. Allows research community to understand what can be transposed from the science advice academic literature to the emerging engineering advice debate. - Analysis of the impact of structural factors (ministerial institutional set-up and policy culture) on engineering advice for policy - Creation of a framework to understand intra-ministerial engineering advice in policy practice. The framework takes into account the advice process, the actors involved and the content drawn upon when making engineering-infused policy proposals. |
| Exploitation Route | These findings can be taken forward in multiple ways - they can be: 1) Used in policy to achieve successful governance and integration of engineering advice for/in policy 2) Used in international comparisons of engineering advice structures in governments 3) Used in cross-ministerial comparisons of engineering advice |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Transport |
| URL | https://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=LLIOT12 |
| Description | Cofounded the Engineering in Policy Network |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| URL | https://engineeringinpolicy.org.uk/ |
| Description | Host a workshop at the UK's Department for Energy (BEIS) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Helped BEIS understand the hurdles faced by engineers working within the ministry. |
| Description | Presentation of PhD findings to the UK Department for Transport (DfT) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Description | Presented a paper at MIT for the 29th ISTE Conference. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presented a paper on 'Modelling for the UK's utility-scale solar regulation change: Lessons for transdisciplinary engineering in policy practice' at MIT for the 29th ISTE Conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presented a paper at the International Public Policy Association winter school |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented a paper on 'The generation and communication of intra-ministerial engineering advice' at the International Public Policy Association winter school in Aussois (France) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Workshop on Climate Risks for Infrastructures in Deltas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited to share PhD insights at the Lorentz Center (University of Leiden), workshop on 'Climate Risks for Infrastructures in Deltas' with infrastructure policy professionals from the EU and the Netherlands. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |