Peer-reviewed publications by Heather Millar
Policy Sciences, 2018
This article proposes that closer attention to models of the individual provides subs... more This article proposes that closer attention to models of the individual provides substantial theoretical and empirical leverage to policy studies scholars. Capturing the nuances of individual choice can assist policy researchers in adjudicating between specific theories of policy change. We provide an analytical matrix for parsing models of the individual underpinning various collective processes of policy change and demonstrate the value of our approach by applying it to the case of Canadian provincial renewable energy policy. The article demonstrates that gathering evidence regarding individual choice can support the presence or absence of processes functioning at the collective level. It concludes with a discussion of the implications of this approach for future policy research on the relative explanatory power of different causal processes, sequencing of policy change, and the identification of new mechanisms of policy change.
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Policy Sciences, 2015
This article examines the dynamics underpinning universal pre-kindergarten policy debates in Cali... more This article examines the dynamics underpinning universal pre-kindergarten policy debates in California and Florida in light of theories of policy investment, policy change, and sustainability of policy reforms. Because the expansion of prekindergarten raises key considerations about the appropriate role of the state in education and educational socialization experiences for young children, and because these investments involve significant budgetary outlays, they trigger two logics: a policy investment logic that leverages the power of evidence-based arguments and instrumentally rational calculations about costs and benefits of early years investments; and a cultural logic that rests on societal and policymakers’ views about and trust in the state vis-à-vis the family and market. Media analysis of public debates in California reveals that instrumentally rational arguments about the benefits of universal pre-k were trumped by arguments based on appeals to principled beliefs about appropriate levels of state involvement. It also finds that this policy area is particularly susceptible to challenges to the legitimacy of political leaders. These cases thus provide important insights into the kinds of complex political factors that go into getting and sustaining social policy investments over the long term.
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Canadian Journal of Political Science, 47 (2), pp 259-280, 2014
"This article examines the interaction of different modes and levels of legitimacy within network... more "This article examines the interaction of different modes and levels of legitimacy within network governance institutions over time. Drawing on new theoretical directions in European governance studies and empirical findings from Canada, we contend that whereas input legitimacy can be exchanged, or traded-off, with output legitimacy to reinforce the overall legitimacy of a network governance institution, 'throughput legitimacy' functions as a necessary condition that sustains legitimacy over time. Through a comparison of homelessness governance networks in Toronto and Calgary, we find that throughput legitimacy carries an amplification effect that results either virtuous or vicious cycles. That is, we argue and demonstrate that low 'throughput legitimacy' in network governance institutions can effectively bring down the whole house of cards.
Cet article vise l’interaction de différents modes et niveaux de légitimité comme partie des institutions administratves à travers le temps. En tirant d’exemple des nouvelles tendances dans des études europééns sur l’administrations et des conclusions empiriques venant du Canada, nous affirmons qu’étant donné la légitimité d’entrée puisse être échangée contre la légitimité de rendement afin de renforcer la légitimité globale d’une administration de réseau, la structure interne de l’administration fonctionne en étant une exigence absolue qui sert à maintenir la légitimité au long terme. Au moyen d’une comparaison des « sans-abris » et leurs réseaux d’administration à Toronto et Calgary, nous trouvons qu’une structure interne valable contient un effet d’amplification dont le résultat s’exprime en deux types de cycles ; virtueux or viscieux. C’est-à-dire, nous constatons et espérons démontrer qu’une basse légitimité dans l’administration des niveaux différents des institutions gouvernementales peut définitivement servir à démolir toute l’affaire.
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Canadian Public Administration, Jun 2013
This article examines the alignment of different governance arrangements and alternative accounta... more This article examines the alignment of different governance arrangements and alternative accountability mechanisms in international development policy making in Canada and the European Union (EU), with a particular focus on relationships between governments and non-governmental organizations. The Canadian case illustrates an entrepreneurial mode of governance that aligns with fiscal auditing and performance management mechanisms, while the networked governance model of the EU relies more heavily on accountability instruments of public reporting and deliberation. The article concludes that the European accountability regime likely provides policy makers with more opportunities for social policy learning but would be difficult to implement in Canada given the underlying action logic of the federal government.
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Policy Reports by Heather Millar
Policy Ready, 2019
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Over the last decade in British Columbia, the incidence of homelessness has grown at an unprecede... more Over the last decade in British Columbia, the incidence of homelessness has grown at an unprecedented rate. Since 2002, the homeless population counted in Vancouver has more than doubled to a high of 2,660 in 2008. Governments have traditionally approached homelessness
using a continuum of policy instruments ranging from emergency shelters and transitional housing to independent social housing and rental assistance. However, less research has been conducted to date on effective housing models for youth aged 16 to 24, who constitute between 10% and 20% of the homeless population. Studies suggest that the youth
homeless population is extremely vulnerable, facing high levels of violence and sexual exploitation, as well as complex mental health and addictions issues. This research project examines the key barriers that street-involved youth face in exiting homelessness by answering the research question “Why do some street-involved youth aged 16 to 24 in Vancouver not become permanently housed?” Through a mixed method approach, namely, (1) a literature review of survey data of street-involved youth in the United States, Canada, and British Columbia, and (2) key informant interviews and focus groups with youth service providers, government managers, and private philanthropic funders, this study identifies and evaluates best practices for youth housing programs in Vancouver. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at permanently housing street-involved youth in Vancouver and British Columbia.
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Thesis and Working Papers by Heather Millar
This dissertation explains variation in provincial regulation of hydraulic fracturing, an emergin... more This dissertation explains variation in provincial regulation of hydraulic fracturing, an emerging method of oil and gas extraction in Canada. The dissertation examines the interplay of interests and ideas in fostering mechanisms of learning among policy elites, resulting in different regulatory outcomes. The study argues that material and electoral interests in each province shape the emergence of “risk narratives”: ideas about uncertainty that delineate the nature of the policy problem and identify appropriate solutions. Risk narratives are categorized into four distinct types – linear, complex, uncertain, and catastrophic. The study distinguishes two modes of learning: learning about policy efficacy and learning about political feasibility. Different risk narratives foster processes of policy learning in some cases and political learning in others, leading to different regulatory approaches. The dissertation probes the plausibility of the framework by applying it to three provincial cases of regulatory change, examining the cases of British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia from 2006-2016. The study uses both a cross-case and within-case comparative approach, engaging in process tracing by drawing on policy document analysis, media analysis, and key informant interviews. The dissertation finds that when risk narratives are filtered through varying institutional conditions, they trigger alternate processes of learning among policy elites. Narratives of linear risk locked in processes of policy learning in British Columbia, leading to single issue regulation. Narratives of complex risk fostered more extensive processes of policy learning in New Brunswick, leading to more comprehensive regulation. However, the emergence of an uncertain risk narrative in New Brunswick spurred a subsequent process of political learning among elites, resulting in an implementation of a moratorium. In Nova Scotia uncertain risk narratives also prompted political learning, leading initially to a moratorium. But the emergence of catastrophic risk narratives in Nova Scotia facilitated subsequent processes of political learning that resulted in a legislated ban. The dissertation demonstrates that contingent combinations of risk narratives, institutional structures, and learning present different pathways to regulatory change. The study findings have important implications for understanding how ideas about uncertainty influence policy elite decision making and the relationship between processes of learning and policy change.
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Homeless youth are a marginalized and vulnerable population facing high rates of violence, sexual... more Homeless youth are a marginalized and vulnerable population facing high rates of violence, sexual exploitation, mental health issues, and substance misuse. Recent evidence suggests that homeless youth in Metro Vancouver have a distinct set of needs unmet by existing housing services and supports. Through key informant interviews, this study identifies three key factors preventing youth aged 16 to 18 from becoming stably housed: 1) diminished housing supply, 2) limited access, and 3) unstable transitions. Drawing on case studies of best practices in other jurisdictions and stakeholder interviews, the study presents four alternative policy options to improve street-involved youths' housing tenures in Vancouver. The study evaluates the options and provides recommendations for action for the government of British Columbia, including considerations to facilitate implementation.
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Peer-reviewed publications by Heather Millar
Cet article vise l’interaction de différents modes et niveaux de légitimité comme partie des institutions administratves à travers le temps. En tirant d’exemple des nouvelles tendances dans des études europééns sur l’administrations et des conclusions empiriques venant du Canada, nous affirmons qu’étant donné la légitimité d’entrée puisse être échangée contre la légitimité de rendement afin de renforcer la légitimité globale d’une administration de réseau, la structure interne de l’administration fonctionne en étant une exigence absolue qui sert à maintenir la légitimité au long terme. Au moyen d’une comparaison des « sans-abris » et leurs réseaux d’administration à Toronto et Calgary, nous trouvons qu’une structure interne valable contient un effet d’amplification dont le résultat s’exprime en deux types de cycles ; virtueux or viscieux. C’est-à-dire, nous constatons et espérons démontrer qu’une basse légitimité dans l’administration des niveaux différents des institutions gouvernementales peut définitivement servir à démolir toute l’affaire.
"
Policy Reports by Heather Millar
using a continuum of policy instruments ranging from emergency shelters and transitional housing to independent social housing and rental assistance. However, less research has been conducted to date on effective housing models for youth aged 16 to 24, who constitute between 10% and 20% of the homeless population. Studies suggest that the youth
homeless population is extremely vulnerable, facing high levels of violence and sexual exploitation, as well as complex mental health and addictions issues. This research project examines the key barriers that street-involved youth face in exiting homelessness by answering the research question “Why do some street-involved youth aged 16 to 24 in Vancouver not become permanently housed?” Through a mixed method approach, namely, (1) a literature review of survey data of street-involved youth in the United States, Canada, and British Columbia, and (2) key informant interviews and focus groups with youth service providers, government managers, and private philanthropic funders, this study identifies and evaluates best practices for youth housing programs in Vancouver. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at permanently housing street-involved youth in Vancouver and British Columbia.
Thesis and Working Papers by Heather Millar
Cet article vise l’interaction de différents modes et niveaux de légitimité comme partie des institutions administratves à travers le temps. En tirant d’exemple des nouvelles tendances dans des études europééns sur l’administrations et des conclusions empiriques venant du Canada, nous affirmons qu’étant donné la légitimité d’entrée puisse être échangée contre la légitimité de rendement afin de renforcer la légitimité globale d’une administration de réseau, la structure interne de l’administration fonctionne en étant une exigence absolue qui sert à maintenir la légitimité au long terme. Au moyen d’une comparaison des « sans-abris » et leurs réseaux d’administration à Toronto et Calgary, nous trouvons qu’une structure interne valable contient un effet d’amplification dont le résultat s’exprime en deux types de cycles ; virtueux or viscieux. C’est-à-dire, nous constatons et espérons démontrer qu’une basse légitimité dans l’administration des niveaux différents des institutions gouvernementales peut définitivement servir à démolir toute l’affaire.
"
using a continuum of policy instruments ranging from emergency shelters and transitional housing to independent social housing and rental assistance. However, less research has been conducted to date on effective housing models for youth aged 16 to 24, who constitute between 10% and 20% of the homeless population. Studies suggest that the youth
homeless population is extremely vulnerable, facing high levels of violence and sexual exploitation, as well as complex mental health and addictions issues. This research project examines the key barriers that street-involved youth face in exiting homelessness by answering the research question “Why do some street-involved youth aged 16 to 24 in Vancouver not become permanently housed?” Through a mixed method approach, namely, (1) a literature review of survey data of street-involved youth in the United States, Canada, and British Columbia, and (2) key informant interviews and focus groups with youth service providers, government managers, and private philanthropic funders, this study identifies and evaluates best practices for youth housing programs in Vancouver. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at permanently housing street-involved youth in Vancouver and British Columbia.