Policy & Politics Journal Blog

Special issue blog series on Policy Expertise in Times of Crisis

Marleen Easton, Jennifer Yarnold, Valerie Vervaenen, Jasper De Paepe & Brian Head

Introduction: 
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role of expert advice in shaping policy responses globally. Beyond health implications, these measures significantly impacted education, economy, law, and various societal aspects. Understanding how expertise was harnessed and adapted during the crisis provides valuable insights for improving policy advisory systems to effectively respond to future challenges. Our research study, just published in Policy & Politics delves into the dynamics of COVID-19 policy advisory systems in Belgium and Australia, drawing on interviews with 34 experts involved during the initial two years of the crisis. 

Policy Advisory Systems in Action: 
In both Belgium and Australia, intergovernmental forums played a key role in aligning national and regional interests within policy advisory systems advising on responses to COVID-19. While Belgium experienced more rapid changes and adjustments in expert advisers, Australia maintained a relatively stable system with occasional additions of non-health sub-groups. The diversity of expert opinions was more pronounced in Belgium, on contrast with Australia where experts tended to be more cautious in expressing critical perspectives publicly. 

Policy Learning and Expert Advice: 
As the pandemic unfolded, policy learning evolved, necessarily drawing on a broader range of expertise beyond the initial health-centric focus. Institutional contexts shaped the provision of expert advice, influencing the actions of policy advisors and decision-makers. Our study sheds light on the evolving priorities within advisory bodies, the relationships between different types of experts and policymakers, and the challenges of communicating scientific knowledge amid uncertainty and stress. 

Key Findings and Implications: 
The ‘web of knowledge’ at the heart of COVID policy responses were informed by expert advisory bodies, highlighting the importance of network relationships in linking different institutions, issues and a broad range of expertise. Experts, often acting as ‘boundary spanners,’ connected different spheres, emphasizing the need for a broad span of expertise and interests to tackle complex issues. The challenges of policy learning in fast-paced crisis conditions were evident, with experts facing pressures such as time constraints, lack of data, and the demand for real-time science. 

Recommendations for Adaptive Governance:
Our findings emphasise the need for adaptive frameworks and principles tailored to specific contexts rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Crisis advisory bodies, particularly in complex systems, should incorporate diverse forms of expertise and enhance boundary-spanning capabilities. The capacity of governmental systems to adapt and learn rapidly from experience is crucial in crisis situations. The findings suggest that enabling adaptive and responsive approaches with strong communication and broad participation are essential. 

Conclusion: 
In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of how policy advisory systems coped with the stress, uncertainty, and need for adaptation during the initial years of the COVID-19 crisis. The insights gained emphasise the importance of flexibility, communication, and broad participation in crafting effective policy responses to future crises. 

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Table of contents for special issue blog series on Policy Expertise in Times of Crisis

Policy expertise in times of crisis
Peter Aagaard, Marleen Easton, and Brian W. Head

Analysing expert advice on political decisions in times of crisis
Peter Aagaard, Sevasti Chatzopoulou, and Birgitte Poulsen

Mapping the changing role of expertise in COVID-19 politics in Europe
Kennet Lynggaard, Theofanis Exadaktylos, Mads Dagnis Jensen, and Michael Kluth

Expert perspectives on the changing dynamics of policy advisory systems: the COVID-19 crisis and policy learning in Belgium and Australia
Marleen Easton, Jennifer Yarnold, Valerie Vervaenen, Jasper De Paepe, and Brian W. Head

Investigating the scientific knowledge–policy interface in EU climate policy [Open access]
Claire Dupont, Jeffrey Rosamond, and Bishoy L. Zaki

The promise and performance of data ecosystems: Australia’s COVID-19 response [Open access]
Cosmo Howard and Bernadette Hyland-Wood

The challenges experts face during creeping crises: the curse of complacency
Ahmad Wesal Zaman, Olivier Rubin, and Reidar Staupe-Delgado