The Policy Engagement Network was a cross-disciplinary initiative to conduct national and globally policy-relevant research. The primary objective of PEN was to inform policy deliberation through linking academic research with pressing policy issues.
To further this goal, the network built and nurtured relationships with policy-makers, regulators, government agencies, parliamentarians around the world and international organisations. Through these relationships they were able to identify the policy areas that required the greatest and immediate attention. They brought international experts from academia, industry, government, and civil society together to inform their work so that they could bring the key ideas and knowledge into the policy-making process.
'Engagement' was the essential research strategy to their work. The network hosted dozens of workshops every year at the LSE, and run forums and conferences around the world. They presented their work at dozens of international conferences every year, and regularly gave evidence and provided reports to Parliaments, regulators, policy-makers and industry.
Coordinators: Mr Simon Davies and Dr Gus Hosein.
Key advisors included:
Reports and publications
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Electronic Health Privacy and Security in Developing Countries and Humanitarian Operations, a report prepared by the Policy Engagement Network for the International Development Research Centre - PEN paper 7
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Research Note on Privacy and Security of Medical Records in Developing Countries and Emergency Situations, Gus Hosein and Aaron Martin - PEN paper 6
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Making the internet safe for free speech, Guardian Comment is Free, Gus Hosein, May 12, 2010
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Profiling is not up to this challenge, Gus Hosein January 2010
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UN report on Terrorism and Privacy, the UN Special Rapporteur on Terrorism and Human Rights was advised by Gus Hosein for this report to the UN Human Rights Council. December 2009
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Briefing on the the UK Government's Interception Modernisation Programme, June 2009 - PEN paper 5
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Schools and Communities: Developing Links; Understanding the role for information and communication technologies, Mike Cushman, May 2009 - PEN paper 4
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Advanced Internet Policy Report on Online Consent, May 2009 - PEN paper 3
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Advanced Internet Policy Report on Internet Advertising, May 2009 - PEN paper 2
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New York Times op-ed contribution regarding the Obama Administration's 'cybersecurity' policy includes our contribution. May 31, 2009
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CAN ID? Visions for Canada's Identity Policy; Understanding Identity Policy and Policy Alternatives, Krista Boa, Andrew Clement, Simon Davies, Gus Hosein - PEN paper 1
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A Privacy Impact Assessment for UN High Commissioner for Refugees on biometric registration systems, April 2009. (awaiting permission for publication)
Research and engagement domains
The network's research and engagement work was diverse, and ever-changing. In the following links, we outline their areas of focus, some of their earlier research, and some of their reports.
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Information and Communications Policy
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National and International Governance issues
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Technology-Leveraged Policy