Better outcomes for less money: The 2010 SRU Annual Lecture

The Social Research Unit invites you to the 2010 Annual Lecture, Better outcomes for less money: techniques for children's policymakers to make good choices in times of scarcity, to be given by Steve Aos on Thursday, June 17, 2010.

The event, which is free, will open with a reception at 5.00pm at the Commonwealth Club (25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP) followed by the lecture from 6-8pm in the Commonwealth Club's auditorium.
 
As space is limited, please reserve your free place as soon as possible by sending an email to lecture2010@dartington.org.uk or by phoning Kay Turner on 01803 762400.
 
Steve Aos is the Assistant Director of the pioneering Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the non-partisan research arm of the Washington State legislature in the United States.
 
Non-partisan predictions indicate that the UK is likely to face the deepest public spending cuts since the 1970s, putting unprecedented pressure on public services and the decision makers whose job it is to allocate scarce resources. As knowledge about evidence-based public policies accumulates -- and as the economics of the options are better understood -- public policy makers can increasingly use information that will promote better outcomes at less total cost. In the next decade, flexible governments will find ways to take advantage of this growing body of evidence. In his lecture, Aos will describe the strategy Washington State is taking to achieve these goals, with lessons for UK policy makers.
 
Steve Aos has 34 years of experience conducting cost-benefit analyses and communicating the results to policymakers in a wide range of public policy areas, as well as in the private sector. His current work focuses on identifying and evaluating the costs and benefits of programmes and policies that reduce crime, improve educational outcomes from kindergarten through secondary school, reduce child abuse and neglect, improve mental health, and reduce substance abuse. He also has many years of experience in energy economics and regulatory policy.
 
The Social Research Unit is an independent charity that works to improve the health and development of children through high quality research into the potential causes of impairment in children's lives and the value of children's services, development work that applies high quality evidence to policies and practices, and dissemination that communicates learning about preventing and responding more effectively.
 
We very much hope that you will join us for what will be an important and engaging learning opportunity.