Central Policy Unit and Research Grants Council “Promoting Public Policy Research in Hong Kong’s Higher Education Institutions: Potential, Possibilities ad Policies” Julia Tao City University of Hong Kong 6 th November 2009

Three Questions A. Informing Policy: 1. Which Model to adopt? – Commissioned Research Model : Close/customer - oriented – Think Tanks Model : Loose/exchange – oriented – Knowledge Transfer Model : Collaborative/partnership - oriented

Three Questions B. Realizing Potentials: 2. What potential values will be realized? – Outcome Values – Pattern Values (Yehezkel Dror, 1968)

Outcome Values To improve policymaking systems: by uncover the underlying causes of policymaking inadequacies in the current system – built in “incapacities” in the policymaking process To improve policy choices: by supporting values researchers believe in and advancing their impact on policies To improve policy strategies : by innovative thinking and challenging received ideas

Pattern Values Promotes participation and open government Improve processes and institutions for policymaking

Three Questions C.Realizing Benefits: 3. How to design our infrastructural support? –Administration – oriented : to administer –Facilitation - oriented : to coordinate –Sustainability – oriented : to connect and to develop

Final Thoughts Models of Knowledge Transfer for a Knowledge- driven Society 1. Commercial transfer of Knowledge – Commercialization of research products, R & D for industrial development, patents creation, etc. Bridge between academic world and commercial world 2. Non-commercial transfer of Knowledge – Impact on policy, society, and governance Bridge between academic world and government