Complexity and Public Policy

Welcome to Complexity and Public Policy Course! This course provides an overview of the complexity in public policy situations leading to so-called “wicked policy problems” which appear to have no clear solutions. These problems are widespread, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change to economic inequality, traffic congestion, species extinction, SDG achievement, and so forth. They share the characteristics of complex adaptive systems, including nonlinear dynamic change, emergence, self-organization, and adaptation, and resist traditional public policy analytic approaches that normally fail. You will analyze such problems and gain insights into public policy analysis, formulation, monitoring, and evaluation. After gaining insights into the nature of wicked problems and how to make sense of public policy dilemmas, you will learn about complexity economics and applications of complexity tools to various public policy contexts. Furthermore, you will learn about basic models used in complex situations, policy design and evaluation methods, and an alternative approach to public service. This is an intermediate course, intended for learners with a background in social sciences, economics, or public policy. The knowledge you gain from this course will help you in mid- or senior-level policy analysis and planning careers in government or consulting to industries. The course prepares you to: 1. Interpret various policy and planning contexts to decide which analytical tools are best suited. 2. Use various sense-making tools. 3. Understand the difference between complicated and appropriate tools for each. 4. Develop basic computational models to deal with complex policy problems. 5. Understand the different kinds of uncertainty and how to work with them. To succeed in this course, you should have experience in/know about/basic understanding of basic computer software used for computations and simple modeling. You will also need certain hardware or software requirements, including if possible Netlogo software although the professor will provide all the guidance you need

• Explain the nature of wicked policy problems based on complex adaptive system characteristics
• Analyze public policy situations to gain insights into real-world complexity
• Apply basic complexity models and handle radical uncertainty in public policy

• No deep prior experience required; basic computer and internet skills helpful
• Ability to read course instructions in English and complete short practice activities