Policy Ontologies is an intellectual project that thinks critically about policy; what it is, how it is made, and how it links to practice.
Lead by Dr Rachael Dobson, the project is supported by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship 2021-22 for 'Where is the power? Policy Ontologies in Theory and Practice'.
Popular and political debates about contemporary social problems, and policy responses to these, demonstrate certainties about where, and with whom, power lies. These intensify where harms to vulnerable people and social 'groups' are at stake.
Such debates reflect realist, normative and projective conceptions of policy phenomena (e.g., policy, institutions, the state, social problems, policy actors, social problems) as singular, unitary, linear and coherent.
Contrastingly, ontological approaches understand policy phenomena as multiple, relationally organised and shifting. In that, power is not located within a singular entity, person or external force.
These approaches are theoretically sophisticated and recognise the complexity of policy and state worlds. However, they make it hard to pin down questions of power and resistance, analytically, practically and in writing.
The project explores these dynamics and the challenges of researching, thinking and writing ontologically when working for social change.
Find out more:
Lead by Dr Rachael Dobson, the project is supported by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship 2021-22 for 'Where is the power? Policy Ontologies in Theory and Practice'.
Popular and political debates about contemporary social problems, and policy responses to these, demonstrate certainties about where, and with whom, power lies. These intensify where harms to vulnerable people and social 'groups' are at stake.
Such debates reflect realist, normative and projective conceptions of policy phenomena (e.g., policy, institutions, the state, social problems, policy actors, social problems) as singular, unitary, linear and coherent.
Contrastingly, ontological approaches understand policy phenomena as multiple, relationally organised and shifting. In that, power is not located within a singular entity, person or external force.
These approaches are theoretically sophisticated and recognise the complexity of policy and state worlds. However, they make it hard to pin down questions of power and resistance, analytically, practically and in writing.
The project explores these dynamics and the challenges of researching, thinking and writing ontologically when working for social change.
Find out more:
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Dobson, R. (2020) Local Government and Practice Ontologies: sector speaks in housing and homelessness services, Local Government Studies. Themed edition, ‘The Logics of Local Government & Austerity’.
Dobson, R. (2019) Complex Needs in Homelessness Practice; a review of ‘new markets of vulnerability’, Housing Studies Dobson, R. (2017) Recollection-As-Method in Social Welfare Practice: experience, theory & practice, Qualitative Research Journal, 17 (3), 164-176. Themed edition, ‘Bordering, exclusions and necropolitics’ Dobson, R. (2015) Power, Agency, Relationality and Welfare Practice, Journal of Social Policy, 44(4), 687-705 |
Activities
'Where is the power?' comprises a range of activities: two virtual events series (Policy Ontologies, Critical Conversations), writing projects, and empirical research.
The Understanding Policy project uses qualitative methods to investigate how people working with policy conceive of the interventions they are involved with, and their own sense of place and power in policymaking processes.
The Understanding Policy project is supported through an Advisory Group involving (in alphabetical order): Shona Hunter (Reader, Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University), Sarah Keenan (Reader, Department of Law, Birkbeck College, University of London) and Sarah Neal (Professor, Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield).
'Where is the power?' comprises a range of activities: two virtual events series (Policy Ontologies, Critical Conversations), writing projects, and empirical research.
The Understanding Policy project uses qualitative methods to investigate how people working with policy conceive of the interventions they are involved with, and their own sense of place and power in policymaking processes.
The Understanding Policy project is supported through an Advisory Group involving (in alphabetical order): Shona Hunter (Reader, Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University), Sarah Keenan (Reader, Department of Law, Birkbeck College, University of London) and Sarah Neal (Professor, Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield).
About Rachael
Rachael's research contributes to critical and cultural approaches to policy-making, with a focus on process and implementation.
She theorises the role of policy actors in the making-of welfare state practices like policy, legislation and institutions. This involves thinking about relationships between these phenomena, and human agency, to understand potential for resistance and social change through everyday, conscious and unconscious, social practices and actions.
To date, Rachael's research has explored interventions with vulnerable adults with ‘complex needs’, encompassing policy, legislation, models of support and everyday practices.
It has focused on public service cultures, identities and practices in lower status, under-professionalised, materially fragmented and ‘dirty work’ sectors, across social policy and welfare fields. This has included housing, homelessness and adult social care.
Rachael's research contributes to critical and cultural approaches to policy-making, with a focus on process and implementation.
She theorises the role of policy actors in the making-of welfare state practices like policy, legislation and institutions. This involves thinking about relationships between these phenomena, and human agency, to understand potential for resistance and social change through everyday, conscious and unconscious, social practices and actions.
To date, Rachael's research has explored interventions with vulnerable adults with ‘complex needs’, encompassing policy, legislation, models of support and everyday practices.
It has focused on public service cultures, identities and practices in lower status, under-professionalised, materially fragmented and ‘dirty work’ sectors, across social policy and welfare fields. This has included housing, homelessness and adult social care.
Photo used under Creative Commons from jetheriot
