Policy Silences and Poverty in Ireland: An Argument for Inclusive Approaches
Citation:
Joe Whelan, Policy Silences and Poverty in Ireland: An Argument for Inclusive Approaches, Social Inclusion, 12, 2024Download Item:
Abstract:
Policy documents shape and inform policy but they are not neutral objects. Policy documents can also
silence through the exclusion and omission of discrete knowledges transmitted through testimony and lived
experience. Even where steps are taken to ensure inclusion, policies can be underpinned by a policy making
process that also potentially omits and silences through a narrow conception of how to include the voices of
those directly affected by policy in the policy making process. This article will address the phenomenon of
“policy silences” in the following ways: Firstly, by taking inspiration from Bacchi’s (2009) policy analysis
framework—which asks of policy documents “what is the problem represented to be?” (the WPR
approach)—and focusing on question no. 4 of the WPR framework—which asks, in part, “where are the
silences?”—the Irish policy document Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020‐2025 will be briefly reviewed.
Following this, the approach taken in a creative, arts‐based, participatory research project which included,
mapping, photography and walking interviews as a means of exploring the lived experiences and hidden
geographies of poverty will be presented as a way of demonstrating inclusive research practice and as a
means of tacitly problematizing and further critiquing an anaemic understanding of inclusion which
potentially creates “policy silences.” Finally, an argument for forms of inclusion that go beyond current
practices to include, in creative ways, the voices of those directly affected by policy in the policy making
process will be put forth.
Sponsor
Grant Number
Irish Research Council (IRC)
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/jwhelan9Description:
PUBLISHED
Author: Whelan, Joe
Type of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
Social Inclusion12
Availability:
Full text availableSubject (TCD):
Inclusive Society , Making Ireland , PERSISTENT POVERTY , POVERTY , Politics of the welfare state , Poverty & Social Exclusion , Poverty and the PoorDOI:
https://doi.org/10.17645/si.7737Source URI:
http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/103836Licences: