1 CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology Some Political Context(s) of Research Evaluation J.Adam Holbrook, P.Eng. Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology,Simon Fraser University Vancouver, BC

CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology Evaluation and Transparency the need for “instant gratification” Question Period – “Australian rules House Committee hearings” the role of unelected opposition – e.g. the media perceived need for zero failures

CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology People and Evaluation a mixture of policy, forecasting, resource allocation and classic evaluation equality of opportunity (not employment), particularly based on location increasing importance of life-style/location issues. (culture and tolerance)

CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology Regional issues in evaluation the OECD notes national systems of innovation paradigm offers new scope for government policies/programmes. Previously government S&T policies/programmes focused on market failures. Studies of innovation systems can identify systemic failures national systems of innovation are usually the sum of several regional systems. Sometimes these regional systems of innovation are often weak. evaluation studies are usually carried out at the national level. But what happens in areas where manufacturing is not the predominant sector? Industrial demographics often skew results tending to mask regional effects

CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology Regional issues in evaluation (continued) non-metropolitan areas usually have more government S&T activity simply because regional systems are weak simply because they lack the richness of connections usually found in the major industrial clusters in non-metropolitan areas federal agencies are frequently asked to assume a leadership role as knowledge suppliers. is there a corresponding “pull” from the region - clearly identifiable community-based technology forums which can articulate local demands for technology

CPROST SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology Assisting Political Choices deciding what not to do identification of competitive advantages identification and intervention in market failure identification and intervention in S&T/innovation systems failure the role of publicly funded S&T in infrastructure development