Modeling and assessment for policy

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Some familiarity with concepts of science, technology and policy will be assumed in the class. The following are examples of classes that provide sufficient background:

For those who do not have this background, supplemental readings are available in the Readings section.

This course is designed to provide students with the critical tools necessary to perform technically-focused policy analysis. Students will gain understanding and awareness of policy considerations in scientific assessment, practice using quantitative tools to conduct policy-relevant analyses, and evaluate the effectiveness of quantitative and scientific information in decision-making contexts. This is an appropriate course both for students who conduct policy-relevant science and engineering work, as well as those who are potential users of scientific analyses or quantitative output. As this class is cross-listed between the Engineering Systems Division and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, several examples will be drawn from modeling of earth and environmental systems.

This course is a designed to be interactive and incorporate active learning. Problem sets will be assigned to develop your familiarity with class themes. We use a case study approach to identifying key lessons about the benefits and limitations of particular tools and best practices in technically-focused policy analysis.

Technically-focused policy analysis is complex. There are no easy answers or plug-and-play approaches that you need only learn and apply. To conduct effective analyses, one needs deep understanding of relevant analytical tools, their advantages and limitations, and a broad understanding of previous experiences: what worked, what didn't, and why. This subject will help you develop and practice these abilities. This subject is a survey catering to diverse backgrounds. Students should not expect to become advanced practitioners in specific modeling techniques, but rather to gain familiarity with quantitative methods, and their role in policy. For alternative or advanced subjects, please see the teaching staff for suggestions.

We will cover five themes over the course of the semester, each covering an important concept in technically-focused policy analysis.

The course is designed to be interactive: please come to class prepared and ready to engage in activities and discussions. Some questions have no "right" answers: be ready to develop and defend your own point of view while striving to understand the views of others–both important skills for future policy makers and advisors.

Readings will be posted on the course website and should be completed before class. You can expect several additional readings to be added for the class case studies: these will be chosen by your classmates.

There will be some opportunities for extra credit.

View the instructor's version of the syllabus (PDF).

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