[Press Release] Collaborated with Manchester Metropolitan University, CfDS UGM Unveils Insights into Social Policy Evaluation in the Digital Age | Difussion #108

Yogyakarta, 15/03/2023 – Social policy is a broad subject concerned with addressing the basic needs of citizens throughout their lives. This subject is specified in the context of global societies and the actions of national governments. Recognizing its vital role, especially in the digital context, social policy evaluation needs to be regularly conducted as it has important contributions to make policy’ programme design. Hence, CfDS initiated a collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University to held Difussion #108 entitled “The Interplay of Social Policy, Evaluation, and Digital Transformation”, presenting Kevin Wong (Community Justice and Associate Director Manchester Metropolitan University) as the main speaker and hosted by Hafiz Noer (Head of Research CfDS). 

Kevin Wong began by explaining how policy evaluation uses a range of research methods to systematically investigate the effectiveness of policy interventions, implementation and processes, and to determine their merit, worth, or value in terms of improving the social and economic conditions of different stakeholders. The evaluation rubric assesses whether the policy/program is plausible, whether it can work, if it does work, and if it’s worth it. 

“Along the process, evaluation struggles to provide ‘clinching evidence’. t does not offer a simple recipe or magic bullet, where doing A + B guarantees outcome C in all circumstances. However, over the last 10 years or more, efforts have been made to provide a recipe for systemic change,” Kevin stated.

The discussion later drew upon real-world insights, using the evaluation of “Routes2Change” as a case study. This program was designed to support prisoners and their families and implemented by a charity within a South East London prison, and serves as a tangible example to unravel the complexities often faced in social policy initiatives. As a digital support for education in prisons, “The Virtual Campus” is a secure internet platform aimed at facilitating online learning and job search activities for incarcerated individuals, replicating to some extent the resources available to those outside of prison. “It is designed to enhance the quality and flexibility of education for people in prison and can also be accessed post-release to retrieve documents such as CVs and certificates” said Kevin.

Furthermore, digital technology has the potential to support individuals in prison by providing access to educational programs and qualifications, simplifying tasks such as ordering food and scheduling health appointments for both prisoners and prison staff.

However, this also poses unintended consequences and risks, as the adoption of technology could replace important in-person relationships. Therefore, “It is imperative that digital programs implemented in prisons are accompanied by rigorous evaluation processes to maximize its potential benefits and opportunities,” Kevin concluded at the end of the discussion.