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The study of policy design has been of long-standing interest to policy scholars. Recent surveys of policy design scholarship acknowledge two main pathways along which it has developed; one in which the process of policy designing is emphasised and one in which the output of this policy designing process – for example, policy content – is emphasised. As part of a survey of extant research, this article discusses how scholars guided by different orientations to studying policy design are addressing and measuring common policy design concepts and themes, and offers future research opportunities. The article also provides a platform for considering how insights stemming from different orientations of policy design research can be integrated and mapped within the broader public policy process. Finally, the article raises the question of whether a framework that links different conceptualisations of policy design within the policy process might help to advance the field.

This study examines how integrating digital technologies into government operations can enhance urban governance in smart cities. It specifically looks at how these advancements can contribute to the development of sustainable smart cities in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research employs two analytical frameworks to assess how advanced technologies impact and integrate with government functions. The first framework examines the effects of digitalization on sustainable smart cities, while the second offers a holistic approach to optimizing government processes through digital transformation. The research demonstrates the various advantages of digitalization, such as enhanced public services, advanced infrastructure, and greater transparency and accountability. Nevertheless, obstacles like data security, privacy issues, and disparities in digital access are recognized, requiring cautious handling. The research affirms that while integrating digital technologies in government operations can significantly support urban sustainability, the strategy is crucial to manage potential threats and foster inclusivity and environmental responsibility. These models provide practical recommendations for governments to responsibly and effectively utilize digital tools, ultimately fostering the development of resilient, efficient, and inclusive smart cities.

This study aims to develop an AI education policy for higher education by examining the perceptions and implications of text generative AI technologies. Data was collected from 457 students and 180 teachers and staff across various disciplines in Hong Kong universities, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Based on the findings, the study proposes an AI Ecological Education Policy Framework to address the multifaceted implications of AI integration in university teaching and learning. This framework is organized into three dimensions: Pedagogical, Governance, and Operational. The Pedagogical dimension concentrates on using AI to improve teaching and learning outcomes, while the Governance dimension tackles issues related to privacy, security, and accountability. The Operational dimension addresses matters concerning infrastructure and training. The framework fosters a nuanced understanding of the implications of AI integration in academic settings, ensuring that stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities and can take appropriate actions accordingly.HighlightsProposed AI Ecological Education Policy Framework for university teaching and learning.Three dimensions: Pedagogical, Governance, and Operational AI Policy Framework.Qualitative and quantitative data collected from students, teachers, and staff.Ten key areas identified for planning an AI policy in universities.Students should play an active role in drafting and implementing the policy.

Narrative has been observed to be central to the policy process – constituting public policy instruments, persuading decision makers and the public, and shaping all stages of the policy process. This article distils useful policy advice, which can be employed by scholars and practitioners alike. We call attention to two potential communication pitfalls to which practitioners are likely to fall prey: (1) the knowledge fallacy, and (2) the empathy fallacy. We then focus our discussion on ‘intervention points’ where narrative can play an important role, drawing attention to recent narrative research, which provides the strongest basis for overcoming communication fallacies. Based on arguments presented here, policy actors can construct better narratives to accomplish their policy goals, while scholars can better understand how narratives are constructed and the intervention points where narratives might be observed and therefore studied.

The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) has influenced a generation of policy scholars with its emphasis on causal drivers, testable hypotheses, and falsification. Until recently, the role of policy narratives has been largely neglected in ACF literature partially because much of that work has operated outside of traditional social science principles, such as falsification. Yet emerging literature under the rubric of Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) demonstrates how the role of policy narratives in policy processes is studied using the same rigorous social science standards initially set forth by Paul A. Sabatier. The NPF identifies theories specifying narrative elements and strategies that are likely useful to ACF researchers as classes of variables that have yet to be integrated. Examining this proposition, we provide seven hypotheses related to critical ACF concepts including advocacy coalitions and policy beliefs, policy learning, public opinion, and strategy. Our goal is to stay within the scientific, theoretical, and methodological tradition of the ACF and show how NPF's empirical, hypotheses, and causal driven work on policy narratives identifies theories applicable to ACF research while also offering an independent framework capable of explaining the policy process through the power of policy narratives. In doing so, we believe both ACF and NPF scholarship can contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the policy process.

Global investment in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is falling short of the target to close the $2.5 trillion annual financing gap for developing countries. The COVID-19 shock has exacerbated existing constraints for the SDGs and may undo the progress made in he last 6 years in SDG investment. This poses a risk to delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper assesses the global trends in both investing in and financing the SDGs, including the myriad of financing instruments launched to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis and its economic and social impacts. It analyses the main challenges for mobilizing funds, channeling investment into SDG sectors, and maximizing positive impact, as well as regulatory dilemmas in promoting SDG investment. The article then elaborates on a set of policy measures for accelerating investment in the SDGs, including four principles for guiding private sector investment, mainstreaming the SDGs into national and international investment policies and promotion strategies, harnessing financial instruments for sustainable development, building special SDGs model zones, and promoting better ESG standards, compliance, and reporting.

A wide array of medicinal plants in India, primarily used by locals for health care, have found wide acceptance and adoption globally (either directly or processed) due to distinct advantages of good results, low or no side-effects and ease of access to general public. Indigenous and traditional systems of medicine in practice since historical times have shown potential (direct or indirect as immune-boosters) against many dreaded ailments including the recent global pandemic of COVID-19. With prediction of sixth mass extinction, there is worldwide concern as majority of these plants, collected from natural stands, are also facing threat of extinction. Since 1990s concerted efforts have been directed towards assessment of threat status, the basic requirement for prioritizing conservation activity to various species of plants and animals. In literature there is staggered information regarding list of threatened plants, including medicinal plants of India, compiled at either state level or national or international level. Analysis of these publications led to collation of a consolidated list of 84 species and the same is presented here. A brief account of conservation efforts in India at national level and supportive policy framework is also included. This compilation is aimed to serve as a comprehensive reference especially for beginners, researchers, conservationists, foresters, pharmaceutical professionals as well as policy makers.

Heavy metals occur naturally in very small amounts in living organisms, but exposure to their higher concentrations is hazardous. Heavy metals at hazardous levels are commonly found in foodstuffs of Bangladesh, mainly due to the lack of safety guidelines and poor management of industrial effluents. Several lines of evidence suggest that the level of heavy metals in foodstuffs of Bangladesh is higher than the acceptable limits set by World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization. Literature survey revealed that the sources and transport pathways of heavy metals in the ecosystem and the abundance of heavy metals in the food products of Bangladesh are potential threats to food safety. However, an extensive assessment of the toxicity of heavy metals in food webs is lacking. Although widespread heavy metal contamination in various foodstuffs and environmental matrices have been summarized in some reports, a critical evaluation regarding multi-trophic transfer and the health risk of heavy metal exposure through food chain toxicity in Bangladesh has not been performed. This systematic review critically discussed heavy metal contamination, exposure toxicity, research gaps, existing legislation, and sustainable remediation strategies to enhance Bangladesh’s food safety. In particular, this study for the first time explored the potential multi-trophic transfer of heavy metals via food webs in Bangladesh. Furthermore, we recommended a conceptual policy framework to combat heavy metal contaminations in Bangladesh.

Land use land cover (LULC) modeling is considered as the best tool to comprehend and unravel the dynamics of future urban expansion. The present paper provides a comprehensive review of existing LULC modeling techniques and novel approaches used by the research community. Moreover, the review also compares each technique’s applications, utility, drawbacks, and broader differences. The rationale behind such a comparison is to highlight the strengths/weakness of individual techniques. The review further highlights the utility of the hybridization of different techniques (e.g., machine learning model combined with statistical models) to LULC modeling to complement their strengths. Although significant progress has been made in LULC modeling, the review highlights the need to incorporate the policy framework into LULC modeling for better urban planning and management. The present review will help researchers and policymakers to achieve better land management practices and ultimately assist in achieving Sustainable Development Goal-15 (SDG-15) (i.e., life on land).