Several class sessions focus on case studies that include urban form and design, anti-poverty policy and research, and the role of science in environmental policy disputes. (Image courtesy of chamarisk on Flickr.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Frank Levy
Prof. Martin Rein
Prof. Xavier de Souza Briggs
MIT Course Number
11.800
As Taught In
Spring 2007
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This is a course about how research knowledge and other types of knowledge come to be actionable and influential in the world — or not. The course explores ways to make research knowledge more accessible, credible, and useful in the realm of public policy and practice, a project in which the course faculty collectively bring decades of professional experience, in both academic and non-academic roles.
The course addresses the politics of the policymaking process, the power of framing and agenda-setting, fads and paradigms in the design professions and society in general, how knowledge diffuses along knowledge and influence networks, and how varied types of knowledge (rational, craft, other) and deliberation shape decision-making and action. The course engages a number of guests to present case studies of research in use (and abuse) in varied fields, highlighting rich areas for potential research contributions, along with major conflicts in public values, political interests, ethical obligations, and more. The resulting dilemmas confront scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and others as they look to research — sometimes — for useful guidance, influence, or both.