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Data-Driven Decisions: The Case for Randomised Policy Trials

Dr Andrew Leigh

External Seminars Seminar Series Seminars

Wednesday, 02 October 2024, 4pm to 5pm

Hosted by The Health Foundation Real Centre

Date and time:  Wednesday 02 October 2024, 16:00 hours

Location: Richard Doll Lecture Theatre, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF 

To Join: This is a free event, which will be taking place both in-person and online via Zoom/Microsoft Teams. Register

Abstract: In medicine, multiple randomised trials have found potentially promising treatments to be ineffective (or even harmful). Randomised trials in health save money and save lives. Yet while randomised trials have proliferated in health, randomised trials of social programs remain relatively rare. Drawing on examples from different countries and policy areas, I discuss the value of randomised trials for economic efficiency and improving the quality of government services. In Australia, the 2023 establishment of the Australian Centre for Evaluation has provided a platform for conducting more randomised trials across government. International collaboration on evidence creation and evidence sharing offers an opportunity to encourage best practice evaluation and entrench a cycle of continuous improvement within governments.

Bio: Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard, having graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Arts and Law. Andrew is a past recipient of the Economic Society of Australia's Young Economist Award and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.

His books include Disconnected (2010), Battlers and Billionaires: The Story of Inequality in Australia (2013), The Economics of Just About Everything (2014), The Luck of Politics (2015), Choosing Openness: Why Global Engagement is Best for Australia (2017), Randomistas: How Radical Researchers Changed Our World (2018), Innovation + Equality: How to Create a Future That Is More Star Trek Than Terminator (with Joshua Gans) (2019), Reconnected: A Community Builder's Handbook (with Nick Terrell) (2020), What's the Worst That Could Happen? Existential Risk and Extreme Politics (2021), Fair Game: Lessons From Sport for a Fairer Society and a Stronger Economy (2022) and The Shortest History of Economics (2024).

Andrew is a keen Ironman triathlete and marathon runner, and hosts a podcast called The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation, about living a happier, healthier and more ethical life. Andrew is the father of three sons - Sebastian, Theodore and Zachary, and lives with his wife Gweneth in Canberra. He has been a member of the Australian Labor Party since 1991.

Forthcoming External Talks
Add to my calendar

Managing Health Policy in a Crisis: Lessons in Leadership: Covid Case Study

Professor The Hon Greg Hunt

Thursday, 24 October 2024, 4pm to 5pm

Part of the ongoing Health Economic and Policy Seminar Series

OxTalks (Oxford Population Health)