Public Affairs Faculty Wins the IRPA Best Article Award 2023
The Department of Public Affairs and Planning (PAPL) is proud to share the remarkable achievement of Dr. Jiwon Suh, who recently won the prestigious IRPA 2023 Best Article Award from The Korean Association for Public Administration (KAPA). Dr. Suh's research article, "Policy Confidence in Crises: An Examination Across Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic," was selected as the award winner, and we could not be prouder of her outstanding accomplishment.
KAPA is the most prominent Public Administration association in South Korea with IRPA (International Review of Public Administration). Since its inception in 1996, the primary aim of IRPA has been to provide a comprehensive knowledge of public administration and policy based on high-quality academic research. Therefore, Dr. Suh's achievement is a testament to her dedication to academic excellence, and we are thrilled that such a distinguished organization has recognized her team's research.
The article investigates policy learning during the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on South Korea's policy implementations directed at healthcare facility management, including practitioners, during the pandemic. The research analyzes the government's prompt response to changing COVID-19 situations through a text analysis of official government briefings and a semi-structured interview. The results show that the government gained confidence in its decision and implemented policies more decisively in the later waves despite the surge of cases. The findings provide an example of an "uncertainty-certainty" mechanism in a crisis that explains the relationship between policy learning and confidence. The article also suggests capabilities that enable governments to enhance policy effects and cope with uncertainties. You can read the article HERE.
When asked about her motivation for the research, Dr. Suh said, "We have seen that countries took different approaches to stop the COVID-19 virus, such as shelter in place and closing the border. The prolonged COVID−19 pandemic has challenged governments to increase policy effect certainties while tackling uncertainties derived from the crisis. So, I wondered how governments learn and improve their policies based on their learning in the context of the pandemic."
Dr. Suh's research demonstrates the importance of academic research in shaping public policy and administration. Her work provides valuable insights into how governments can enhance policy effects and cope with uncertainties in times of crisis. We are delighted to have an innovative faculty member like Dr. Suh, who continues to achieve academic excellence and inspire us all.
Written by Trung (Victor) Vu, Marketing Coordinator