Enrollments open: An Introduction to R for Policy Analysis

A long-time ago, in the midst of a global pandemic, I launched the first online version of 'R Programming for Policy Analysis'. Although I'd run several workshops on applied policy analysis in the past, these sessions were usually for teams that worked exclusively on data analysis and modelling. But, the unexpected chord struck by a short listicle I wrote on R, indicated there was wider interest in an accessible introduction to the R programming for policy generalists, consultants and researchers. I therefore launched the first version of the course at the Microsoft Reactor Hub in Sydney, before delivering it as…

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R Programming for Policy Analysis – 2021 Course Resources

Note: Registrations for 'An Introduction to R Programming for Policy Analysis' are now open at PolicyAnalysisLab.com. A long-time ago, in the midst of a global pandemic, I launched the first online version of my 'R Programming for Policy Analysis' course with a motley crew of consultants, policy analysts and researchers. Despite being cobbled together using a combination of teleconferencing and duct-tape, the course was rated highly by participants. So much so, that I still receive requests from people interested in accessing session recordings and course resources. And while having people reaching out to me directly has its advantages - such…

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Composite indices: comparing apples with oranges

'A composite index' is a common approach for tracking and/or measuring a particular concept or idea by combining multiple data series into a single measure. Global indices, that attempt to compare and rank a nation's performance, typically try and measure something that can't be observed. You'll likely have seen these before in the form of Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, the Fund for Peace's Fragile States Index and the UNDP's Human Development Index (HDI). With each of these composite indices attempting to measure a broad idea or concept that is difficult to measure directly, such as the level of corruption,…

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Economic Policy is a Wicked Problem: It Needs Generalists

I remember being told by a mentor that the problem with my skill set was that I was a 'generalist'. Being early in my career, I didn't think too much about the feedback; as I really hadn't worked long enough to build a specialty even if I knew what I wanted that to be. But, I did find it confusing. After all, didn't the field of economics actively poke its nose into nearly every area of human existence - whether it be the links between abortion and crime or how to start a city? And weren't the intellectual giants of…

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R Programming for Public Policy Analysis

Early in 2019 I posted a short 'listicle' with some of the key reasons I think Python and/or R should become essential tools in a modern policy analyst’s toolkit. The full article is here, but the headline points in the article were; R programming’s use across disciplines fitting in well with multidisciplinary policy analysis teams; the greater reproducibility/transparency written code provides; and the practical advantages that can come from automating repetitive bits of policy analysis (such as reporting results of policy analysis across multiple scenarios). While the article didn’t end in me getting a book deal, it did result in…

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