Interpretive Policy Analysis network is an international platform for scholars, researchers and practitioners involved in qualitative, and more specifically, interpretive policy analysis – e.g. discourse theory and analysis, framing analysis, storytelling, narrative analysis, metaphor analysis, category analysis, practice theory – with close connections to ethnography, actor-network-theory and other interpretive and critical theories and methodologies in planning, policy, science and technology studies, anthropology and so on. The Interpretive Policy Analysis network is organised as a community of loosely affiliated individuals. The network is open to all of those committed to an interpretive approach to policy analysis. To emphasise its openness, the Interpretive Policy Analysis network does not have formal membership.
The Interpretive Policy Analysis network is dedicated to promoting and facilitating work in the discipline. More specific aims include:
It brings people together and it provides information on Interpretive Policy Analysis events around the world, including conferences, thematic and general workshops, summerschools, courses, postcasts and/or webinars. Until 2017 the Interpretive Policy Analysis network ran its own annual conference which provided a ‘protected space’ for this emerging field to develop itself. As Interpretive Policy Analysis progressively came of age and established itself as a sub-discipline, Interpretive Policy Analysis panels and workshops have gradually become mainstreamed into existing policy conferences such as the ECPR, IPPA and ASPA.
The Interpretive Policy Analysis network is closely linked to the journal of Critical Policy Studies.