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The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland

The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland. Diana Wilkinson Chief Researcher The Scottish Government. The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland (LARCI). Setting the scene Evidence based policy and practice Focus on outcomes Knowledge transfer

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The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland

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  1. The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland Diana Wilkinson Chief Researcher The Scottish Government

  2. The Local Authority Research Council Initiative in Scotland (LARCI) • Setting the scene • Evidence based policy and practice • Focus on outcomes • Knowledge transfer • Central and local government working together • LARCI • Future developments

  3. Impact of ‘Evidence based policy’ in Scotland • Since 1997 growth of analytical services within Scottish Government • Restructuring – the ‘one stop shop’ Analytical Services model combining research, economics and statistics • Diversification of research roles • Less project management; more in-house work e.g. reviews, secondary analysis • Knowledge transfer and use of ‘experts’

  4. Post 2007 – an outcome focused government • A different approach to policy making enshrined in the National Performance Framework, the Concordat and SOAs • Characterised by outcome focus, creating public value, use of intelligence and analysis • Move towards ‘co-production’ of policy e.g. through new policy frameworks • Role of national and local government and agencies in delivering on outcomes

  5. Post 2007 - implications for research and analysis National Performance Framework demands • Increased emphasis on performance measurement and performance analysis • In evaluation, stronger focus on outcomes, impact and VFM; understanding drivers of change; logic modelling • Greater exploitation of longitudinal research resources • Emerging use of new techniques and approaches, for example contribution analysis • Multi- and cross-disciplinary approaches to address cross-cutting policy agendas e.g. migration; families with multiple, complex needs

  6. Post 2007 - implications for research and analysis Operation of the Concordat and the NPF underpinned by • New relationships and more engagement with key stakeholders. • A co-ordinated approach within the wider analytical community - central and local government and other stakeholders. • Office of Chief Researcher and Office of Chief Statistician working collaboratively with Local Government, LARIA, Improvement Service, etc. • Formalise liaison arrangements, improve information flow, share resources and grow capacity. • And … continued engagement with the academic sector

  7. The Local Authority Research Council Initiative

  8. What is LARCI? LARCI is a knowledge exchange initiative bringing together the local government sector and the UK Research Councils • Purpose • To facilitate communication, and co-production of new knowledge, between the Research Councils and local authorities at both a strategic and operational level • Vision • Better informed research, policy and practice for the local government sector and partners

  9. LARCI history • Established 1997 by Research Councils to address a ‘gap’ in user engagement • 2007 Concordat supported by: • All Research Councils • Local government (LGA, CLG, IDeA, LARIA, Audit Commission, SOLACE) • Central government (CLG) • Devolved governments (Scotland, Wales) • Structure: • Guided by LARCI Strategic Board • Actioned by LARCI Operational Group and Secretariat • Informed by members

  10. The Research Councils • Arts and Humanities Research Council AHRC • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EPSRC • Economic and Social Research Council ESRC • Medical Research Council MRC • Natural Environment Research Council NERC • Science and Technology Funding Council STFC • Technology Strategy Board TSB • Plus Umbrella organisation Research Councils UK RCUK

  11. LARCI objectives • To promote the value of Research Council funded research to inform and evaluate public policy in local government • To support local authorities to meet their challenges through access to quality research • To help Research Councils, local authorities and representative organisations to develop strategic partnerships • To facilitate two-way knowledge exchange between Research Councils and local authorities • To increase capacity and profile for research in local government

  12. LARCI Activities ‘Core’ Work • Seminars, workshops and events • Electronic newsletter (quarterly) • Website • Information brokering • Mining existing research outputs • Developing networks and nodes to support R&D • Emails alerts to registered members

  13. LARCI – opportunities for local authorities • Use results from Research Council projects to inform policy and practice • Access academics through LARCI’s brokering service • Input directly to research projects by collaborating on research grants • Access information through LARCI website, newsletter, e-bulletins, events • Work with academic researchers as partners via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, CASE studentships etc.

  14. The ESRC/SFC/LARCI ‘Engaging with Scottish Local Authorities’ Scheme • 5 projects, commissioned in 2009, each lasting up to 12 months, to enhance knowledge exchange between Scottish-based academics and local authorities in Scotland. • Project partnerships involve eleven local authority partners as well as the Scottish National Community Safety Network (covering all local authorities) and Save the Children Scotland.

  15. Engaging with Scottish Local Authorities’ Scheme • Building safer communities (Jon Bannister, University of Glasgow) • Building capacity for evidence-informed practice in rural and remote island service delivery (Professor Jane Farmer, University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute) • Coordinating service provision an improving life chances for children in severe poverty: a knowledge exchange programme (Dr Daniela Sime, University of Strathclyde) • Enhancing local authorities' community engagement: co-designing and prototyping strategies for carbon emission reduction (Dr Rehema White, University of St Andrew's) • Engaging with involuntary service users in social work (Dr Heather Wilkinson, University of Edinburgh)

  16. LARCI – new developments • Strategic research themes: • New scenarios for local governance • Local leadership and integrated public service budgets • Co-production of services; personal, community and efficiency aspects • Promoting engagement between councils and academics • Placement fellowship scheme (Aug 09) • Rapid review competition (Nov 09) • Seminar competition (Nov 09)

  17. LARCI contact details www.rcuk.ac.uk/innovation/partnership/larci LARCI Research Co-ordinator: Andrea Turner LARCI Communications Manager: Victoria Morrisroe c/o Economic and Social Research Council, Swindon Andrea.Turner@esrc.ac.uk Victoria.Morrisroe@esrc.ac.uk

  18. The future - new ways of working • Capacity building • Training and development • Knowledge exchange networks

  19. Capacity Building • Scottish Government working with Improvement Service, LARIA, SFC and other stakeholders to put in place arrangements for co-ordinating analytical activity • Mapping exercise to collate information about the current research capacity of LAs/ CPPs in order to help us plan and target capacity-building activity. • Visits to 6 local authorities to develop a detailed understanding of the issues facing LA analysts in order to help us identify priority areas for action

  20. Training and Development • Sharing analytical guidance (through SCOTSTAT / Social Research website) • Providing training (e.g. Contribution Analysis) • Opening up SG CPD training to LG researchers • Improving accessibility / dissemination of Social Research • Research Seminars (e.g. ESRC Public Policy Seminar on the transferability of successful interventions)

  21. Policy Impact Knowledge Exchange Network (PIKEN) Pilot • Partnership initiative developed by the SG and the University of Edinburgh • Opportunity for early career researchers in academia, the public and third sector to improve understanding of policy making process • Participants encouraged to interact with peers to develop more effective networks / communities of practice • Series of 5 workshops: May 2009 - February 2010

  22. Feedback welcome • Ideas for shared training • Ideas for Social Research methods guides • Ideas for collaborative working • Key evidence needs in short term (6-12 months) • Key evidence needs in long term (1-3 years)

  23. Contact details Diana.wilkinson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tom.lamplugh@scotland.gsi.gov.uk http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/About/Social-Research

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