LIST OF PANELS

This panel seeks to engage exchanges and discussions surrounding four core issues related to POLICY PROBLEMS.  First, this panel welcomes contributions focusing on the conceptualisation and the measurement of policy problems. Different definitions of what constitutes a policy problem create inevitable theoretical, methodological and epistemological tensions for the analysis of policy problems. Do these different definitions and interpretations complement each other? Can these tensions be reconciled, or they do act as barriers in the development of the policy problem literature? Second, this panel will consider the influence of existing of policy problems classifications on current research and their heuristic potential. Few contributions have developed elaborate tables isolating specific characteristics of policy problems. How do these inform current understanding of policy problems and do they facilitate research? Should existing classifications be modified? Papers could also examine the influence of existing classifications on policy work and activism in different contexts. Third, we encourage contributions on policy actors involved in the identification of policy problem that analyze their subsequent impact for the policy-making process. Potential correlations between actors involved in policy learning, and those that play a key role in identifying and constructing policy problems could be considered. In addition, the inclusion of non-traditional actors in subsystems or specific coalitions, following their role in problem definition should be addressed.  Fourth, the panel focuses on the connection between policy problems and policy instruments.  Can specific instances of problem definition break away from instrument-legacy in some policy sectors and, if so, under what conditions? How does problem definition centered on a particular instrument and its implementation impact subsequent instrument selection? Other types of contributions centered on policy problems will also be considered. Please note that although the organizers prefer comparative contributions, we welcome all kinds of empirical studies (case studies, qualitative/quantitative studies, textual analysis, etc…).

This panel addresses ongoing theoretical and empirical issues related to policy problems, which has recently experienced a revival. We seeks to engage exchanges and discussions surrounding four core issues.  First, this panel welcomes contributions focusing on the conceptualisation and the measurement of policy problems. Different definitions of what constitutes a policy problem, from social constructivist approaches (e.g.: Bacchi, 1999) to earlier approaches geared toward policy design and feasible solutions (e.g.: Déry, 1984), create inevitable theoretical, methodological and epistemological tensions for the analysis of policy problems. Do these different definitions and interpretations complement each other? Can these tensions be reconciled, or they do act as barriers in the development of the policy problem literature? Second, this panel will consider the influence of existing of policy problems classifications on current research and their heuristic potential. Few contributions have developed elaborate tables isolating specific characteristics of policy problems (e.g.: Rochefort and Cobb, 1994; Peters, 2005). How do these inform current understanding of policy problems and do they facilitate research? Should existing classifications be modified?  Papers could also examine the influence of existing classifications on policy work and activism in different contexts. Third, we encourage original contributions on policy actors involved in the identification of policy problem that analyze their subsequent impact for the policy-making process. Potential correlations between actors involved in policy learning, and those that play a key role in identifying and constructing policy problems could be considered. In addition, the inclusion of non-traditional actors in subsystems or specific coalitions, following their role in problem definition should be addressed.  More broadly, contributions that aim at connecting the literature on policy problems with other approaches geared towards enhancing our understanding of other phases of the policy process will be welcomed. Fourth, the panel aims to consider the connection between policy problems and policy instruments (e.g.: Peters, 2005).  Can specific instances of problem definition break away from instrument-legacy in some policy sectors and, if so, under what conditions? How does problem definition centered on a particular instrument and its implementation (e.g.: tax credit) impact subsequent instrument selection? Scholars active in the exploration of correlations between specific policy problems and a set of policy instruments, especially from a comparative standpoint, should also apply to present their results. Other types of contributions centered on policy problems will also be considered. Please note that although the organizers prefer comparative contributions, we welcome all kinds of empirical studies (case studies, qualitative/quantitative studies, textual analysis, etc…).