Exploring Public Policy at ICPP7
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to attend the 7th International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP7), held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Organized by the International Public Policy Association (IPPA), the conference brought together over 1,050 participants from 70 countries, showcasing more than 1,400 papers across 160 panels.
Presenting on Physical Activity Policy
I contributed to two panels at the conference: In a panel on evaluation use, I presented findings from my Marie Curie Fellowship PLATO on monitoring and evaluation tools in physical activity promotion. Our analysis used concepts from political science to compare tools developed by international organisations and research groups. In addition, public policy research provided important guidance for an initial analysis of the use of these tools in the policy process.
In a panel on social equity, I presented our work in IMPAQT on adapting and using the Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI) to assess the implementation of physical activity policies. While the presentation focused mainly on the development of an equity module for the PA-EPI, it also highlighted the importance of involving equity experts into the co-production of policy recommendations for six EU countries.
Key Takeaway: Learning Across Disciplines
One of the most rewarding aspects of ICPP7 was the chance to connect with researchers from political science and public administration. These disciplines offer valuable perspectives on how policies are designed, implemented, and evaluated – insights that are highly relevant to physical activity research. While our field often centres on health outcomes and behavioural change, gaining a deeper understanding of the political and institutional forces behind policymaking can greatly enhance our ability to drive meaningful change.
For those interested in exploring these intersections further, I highly recommend applying for IPPA’s Winter School on Public Policy, taking place 2-6 February 2026 in the French Alps. Another opportunity for creating links with public policy researchers is the next ICPP conference in summer 2027 in Rennes, France.
Dr Sven Messing sven.messing@ul.ie
