Overview
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Aims
The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) fosters discussion, research and publication of current issues of domestic and foreign policy. We particularly link academic research and public policy by providing opportunities for independent and detached study, and for neutral and informed discussion of important and relevant issues. Our goal is to engage the broadest possible range of informed opinion, particularly in drawing people together from the universities, the public service, the business community and the wider public community. Our three catchwords might be summed up as study, engage, inform.
Structure
The IPS was established in 1983 as part of Victoria University of Wellington. Over the decades the university environment has changed dramatically. When the School of Government was formed in 2002, the IPS became its ‘window’ for applied research, discussion and publication.
Five other research centres operate alongside the Institute in the School of Government - the Health Services Research Centre (HSRC), the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS:NZ) and the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute
How the Institute Works
Forum
Since 1983, the IPS has consolidated its position as a significant and useful forum for discussion and debate within the policy community and also hosts distinguished visitors for discussions on policy issues. We generally run seminars and discussions under the Chatham House Rule.
Research and publication
The IPS's role within the School of Government provides a focus for public policy research, discussion and dissemination. We explore aspects of public policy and present the findings to the wider policy community. IPS funding comes from the university and from institutions and enterprises in both the public and private sectors in the form of grants for projects or fellowships, or arrangements for secondments to the IPS.
The IPS is a significant publisher of policy-relevant work, generally resulting from projects conducted within the Institute. A full, searchable list of publications with information about each book is available on this website and orders can be made online. The IPS also publishes the Policy Quarterly, a journal reflecting research and thinking within the School of Government. The IPS also has a working paper series which can be downloaded here.
IPS staff members regularly provide advice and commentary in the media on current domestic and foreign policy issues on which they have expertise.
Teaching
Although our primary focus is on discussion and research, staff in the IPS continue to contribute strategically to the teaching activity of the School of Government and the wider university and also to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) programme.