I want a POLICY BRIEF 2000 words
The Ethical Policy Brief Workshop
The Assignment
Write a policy brief (2,000 words) that applies you ethical principles to a specific area of your topic
This requires:
‘Designing’ an ethical think tank (i.e. an organization that conducts research/policy recommendations based on a set of moral principles)
Choosing a topic and case study
Choosing a moral framework
Applying your moral framework in both: critiquing current policy AND supporting your own recommendations
The Policy Brief
Outlines a certain policy area and makes recommendations as to what should happen think ethically!
Addresses the issue, criticises current policy, and makes a strong case for why your recommendations are ethical
A policy brief (2,000 words) consists of four sections:
Executive Summary
Problem/Issue Analysis
Critique of Policy Options
Policy Recommendations
Remember that the policy brief needs to reflect your organization’s brand and values (i.e. ethical principles)
Remember, the policy brief is a focused case study, not a marketing tool.
Criteria for the Policy Brief (aka How to do well)
Identification of policy issue
- Is the definition of the policy issue sufficiently analytical?
- Are the ideas made in a logical sequence?
- Are the policy brief’s ideas appropriately supported through ethical and/or theoretical debates within IR?
Use of Evidence
- Are the ideas put forward supported by evidence from cited sources?
- Are the range of sources drawn upon sufficient and appropriate?
- If empirical evidence is used, is it described clearly and in appropriate detail?
- Does the evidence presented support the objectives of the policy brief?
- Is the interpretation of the evidence presented appropriately qualified (i.e. avoiding overgeneralisations and sweeping statements)?
Substantive Content
- Is the policy put forward adequately backed up rather than just asserted?
- Are the sources used subjected to analysis and critical reflection?
- Has the student researched the topic sufficiently?
- Are there any important omissions?
- Has the student thought about what they have read or simply reproduced material from sources?
- Is there evidence of critical thinking or an original thesis?
- Has the student gone beyond the essential reading?
Writing and Presentation Skills
- Is the Policy Brief referenced correctly?
- Are quotations identified and fully referenced (with page numbers)?
- Are the ideas presented fully credited?
- Is there any evidence of plagiarism?
- Is the policy brief fluent and readable?
- Is the grammar and spelling adequate?
- Has the writer made an effort to use their own words? (i.e. paraphrasing rather than quotes)
What is a think-tank?
Putting ideas into practice
About advocacy and changing policy
Devises recommendations to bring change at an institutional level
Holds a distinct focus and set of principles
Principles distinguish one think-tank from another
Activities:
Research
Advocacy
Policy recommendations
Public awareness
Ethics Refresher
Ethics ≠ Morality
Morality is about what is right/wrong, how to gauge right/wrong, principles stating what is right/wrong
Ethics is about how to be right/wrong, what is right/wrong conduct, how ought we to be right/wrong
Ethics indicate something beyond self-interest.
Ethical considerations contrast with aesthetic, economic, political, religious considerations.
Ethical questions might be:
“What ought I to do?”
“How should we live?”
Integrating Ethics
Which topic/issue do you find interesting? Why is it important?
What are the problems commonly associated with this topic/issue? What should be changed?
What sorts of ethical considerations need to be taken into account? What is at stake?
How are we evaluating good/bad conduct? What sorts of moral foundations are we using to gauge right from wrong?
Are consequences or principles more important? Why/why not?
Which actors hold an ethical obligation to those affected by this issue/topic?
Packaging your Ideas
What is your identity? What does your think-tank aim to be?
Choose a name for your organization
Design a logo
Build your brand
We’re here for you!
This assessment can be quite daunting and requires a lot of creative thinking
The important thing is to get started early and not leave it to the last minute
If you need help or have any questions, you can always get in touch with Greg or Pierre
Greg’s office hours: Wednesday 11.00 – 12.30 (Wells St. Room 402)
Email: g.aasen@westminster.ac.uk