{"id":537,"date":"2026-02-13T15:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T15:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/?page_id=537"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:17:14","slug":"what-is-the-problem-represented-to-be-critical-policy-analysis-in-theory-and-practice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/what-is-the-problem-represented-to-be-critical-policy-analysis-in-theory-and-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Problem Represented to be?\u00a0\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>PhD Course<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>What is the Problem Represented to be?<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex 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10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-home-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-home-link__content wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\" rel=\"home\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/news\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">News<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/networks\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Networks<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/projects\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Projects<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on-async--mouseenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on-async--mouseleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/annual-symposium\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Annual Symposium<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Annual Symposium submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on-async--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/2026-symposium-state-of-neoliberal-authoritarianism\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">2026 Symposium: State of Neoliberal Authoritarianism<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">2025 Symposium: Critical studies of Power, Politics, and Governing<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-and-the-political-practical-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Practical information: travels, accommodation and participation<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on-async--mouseenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on-async--mouseleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/phd-courses\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">PhD-courses<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"PhD-courses submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on-async--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/what-is-the-problem-represented-to-be-critical-policy-analysis-in-theory-and-practice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">What is the Problem Represented to be?\u00a0\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing-anti-foundational-analysis\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Critical studies of power, politics and governing \u2013 Anti-essentialist analysis<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/calendar-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Calendarium<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/about-us-contact\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">About us\/Contact<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>This course introduces and deepens participants\u2019 understanding of&nbsp;<strong>critical policy analysis<\/strong>, with a particular focus on Carol Bacchi\u2019s&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>What is the Problem Represented to be?<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;(WPR) framework. The course is developed in collaboration with Carol Bacchi who also will be active (digitally)&nbsp;both at the meet-up and as a reader of the course papers.&nbsp;In addition to Bacchi&#8217;s foundational work, the course actively builds on recent publications and involves researchers who have been working with the WPR approach critical policy analysis in different contexts for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants will work actively with the WPR framework and apply it to material relevant to their own research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary of key themes<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The epistemological and political foundations and implications of critical policy analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The nuts and bolts of the WPR framework<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analytical design, reflexivity, and writing when applying WPR in practice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The course is suited for doctoral students from all disciplines who seek to deepen their practical and theoretical knowledge of WPR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/02\/WPR2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/02\/WPR2.jpeg 350w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/02\/WPR2-200x300.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application and fee<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The course is limited to 10 participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply, simply write a maximum 1 page letter where you briefly describe your background, research interests and in what way the course would benefit your work.&nbsp;Participants will be selected based on the relevance of the course to the applicant\u2019s research interests and needs, as well as with the aim of composing a dynamic and diverse study group that supports fruitful academic exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fee:<\/strong> The cost of the course is <strong>1200 SEK<\/strong> and will cover lunches, coffee and one joint dinner during the meet up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply by sending your letter to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:tomas.mitander@kau.se\">tomas.mitander@kau.se<\/a>&nbsp;no later than&nbsp;<strong>March 31.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will receive a decision&nbsp;<strong>april 10.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The online modules will open on<strong>&nbsp;may 18.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The physical meet up is<strong>&nbsp;august 26-28.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please note: <\/strong>If you are applying for this course AND <a href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing-anti-foundational-analysis\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"305\">Critical studies of power, politics and governing \u2013 Anti-foundational analysis<\/a> at the same time you need to clearly specify in your application which one you prioritise as first and second. You will not be able to attend both the same year.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">practical information: travelling, accommodation and participation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We have prepared a page with information regarding practicalities for getting to and from Karlstad for those that participate in the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information: <a href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-and-the-political-practical-information\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"376\">Practical information: travels, accommodation and participation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">preparation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants are expected to have&nbsp;prior familiarity with critical policy analysis or closely related critical perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Course format<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The course is convened as a combination of online and on-site activities. For the online parts we use the platform Canvas. Participants will find more detailed information there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Preparatory phase (online, includes a start-up meeting through zoom)<\/strong><br>Readings, pre-recorded materials, short written reflections, and online discussions conducted through digital learning modules. Starts in may.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>On-site meeting<\/strong><br>Prominent invited lectures, seminars, and participant presentations during a three-day meet up in Karlstad, Sweden in august 26-28.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Writing phase<\/strong><br>After the on-site meeting, participants write an individual course paper (approximately 5,000 words) applying the course content to their own PhD project. The paper will be discussed at an online seminar. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Credits and certification<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The course can either be finalized after step 1 and 2 for 5 credits, or after all steps for 7,5 ECTS credits. A signed certificate of completion can be issued for those who need it in order to register credits at their home departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">syllabus<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>You can download the syllabus here: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/03\/Syllabus-WPR2026.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Syllabus WPR2026.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-2769ad1e-feec-4d5a-a92c-e9e324ebe671\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/03\/Syllabus-WPR2026.pdf\">Syllabus WPR2026<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2026\/03\/Syllabus-WPR2026.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-2769ad1e-feec-4d5a-a92c-e9e324ebe671\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">questions and contact<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have questions, please contact <a href=\"tomas.mitander@kau.se\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"tomas.mitander@kau.se\">Tomas Mitander<\/a>, coordinator for the Research Group on Power, Politics and Governing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Bild1-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PhD Course What is the Problem Represented to be?&nbsp;\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice This course introduces and deepens participants\u2019 understanding of&nbsp;critical policy analysis, with a particular focus on Carol Bacchi\u2019s&nbsp;&nbsp;What is the Problem Represented to be?&nbsp;&nbsp;(WPR) framework. The course is developed in collaboration with Carol Bacchi who also will be active (digitally)&nbsp;both [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":165,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-537","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/165"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=537"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/537\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":640,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/537\/revisions\/640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}