ASSESSMENT 1 Option 2: POLICY PAPER
Due: Tuesday 8 September, 10pm
Word Count: 1200 words (not including references) +/- 10%
Submission via the LMS link
Introduction and Aims
Policy papers are a standard form of professional writing. Written for non-academic audiences, this format is commonly used in governance, advocacy, and organizational settings. A policy paper is a piece of analytical and evidence-based writing designed to provide clear, logical, and effective recommendations for policy makers.
In their full format, policy papers typically include the following sections
1. Problem Statement: a brief outline of the issue or topic that is being examined.
2. Approach: a discussion of the approach and methods adopted
3. Background: an overview the relevant history or context of the topic.
4. Current Status: an overview the relevant current state of the topic or issue.
5. Analysis of Evidence: an in-depth analysis of current data
6. Key Considerations: a summary of the key considerations for evaluating courses of action.
7. Options: a brief overview of the most appropriate options for action. The option to “do nothing” is also a viable option to consider.
8. Conclusion: a concise summary of the most important take-away from the research 9. Implications (OPTIONAL): an acknowledgement of the implications of the research
10. Recommendation: the best, informed recommendation for action.
While policy papers need to be concise in order to be effective, a typical policy paper significantly exceeds the word limitations of our exercise. For our purposes, you will be asked to produce an abbreviated version of a policy paper (details below). This assessment task is designed to enable you to develop this professional skill in a supportive environment. In doing so, you will also be able to demonstrate your progress toward subject ILOs and to test your understanding of key concepts.
Your task
In our hypothetical scenario, you have been approached by your local council and asked to investigate ways to improve food security within the Council. The Council has asked you to produce a policy paper providing evidence-based recommendations for how Council can best improve the food security of its residents and ensure a sustainable, accessible, and just food system. The Council wants you produce a policy brief and provide a single recommendation (a policy or activity) that if adopted and funded is likely to have the greatest impact on food security for Council residents.
Your policy brief must include the following required components:
1. Problem statement (50 words approximately) 2. Background (150 words approximately) 3. Current Status (150 words approximately)
In this component please state what you see as the primary barrier(s) to food security in the Council.
Provide essential demographic and/or historical information relevant to the problem.
What is the current status of this problem? Are there any relevant initiatives or pressing problems relevant to the problem?
Be specific.
4. Analysis of Evidence (300 words approximately) 5. Key Considerations (200 words approximately) 6. Options and Implications (300 words approximately)
Summarize and analyze key evidence relevant to the problem.
Here identify the factors that you think need to be taken into account
List no more than three of the best options for improving food security. Include a very brief explanation for each and summary of the implications of pursuing each.
7. Recommendation: (50 words approximately)
Make a single recommendation, drawn from the options above, for the BEST course of action to address food security in your Council.