Holger Strassheim
Biographic Data
| ID | 4128852 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Holger Strassheim |
| GIVEN NAMES | Holger |
| FAMILY NAME | Strassheim |
| SIGNATURE | STRASSHEIM H |
| AFFILIATIONS | Bielefeld University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1600-0673 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 104 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
The WHO has ratified pandemic agreement
On 20 May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. After nearly three years of negotiations and after failing to adopt it in 2024, this is a decisive step towards more combined efforts to address future pandemics. The final text of the treaty highlights the need for equitable access to pandemic-related health products and aims to improve the ability of international health re…
Ethics-policy advisory ecosystems
The organisational practices, status and role of policy-focussed ethics advisory committees are significant in relation to scientific advances, societal transformations and crisis situations. Existing research has explored the effectiveness, de/politicisation and deliberative aspects of national ethics bodies, but their role in wider ecosystems of policy advice is neglected. It is sometimes argued that ethics committees have little impact on prac…
Stalling, straining, severing, shallowing, simulating
The relationship between politicization and sustainability transformation is complex and multifaceted. Politicization is often viewed as a catalyst for sustainability transformations. Through contestation and mobilization of societal actors, it provides the impetus for broad and deep social change, bringing societies onto more just and ecologically sustainable pathways. At the same time, politicization can also have detrimental effects, potential…
A world of evidence
How can we explain the worldwide spread of evidence-based policymaking despite continuous criticism? What are the underlying mechanisms of its persistence on a global scale? This article aims at answering these questions by focusing on the cultural constellations in which evidence is imbued with political as well as epistemic authority. Evidence cultures are discursive and institutional forces (re-)producing both the scientific validation of know…
Expertise under uncertainty
This paper centres on expert platforms at the nexus between global climate policies and public health. Policy nexus problems have been associated with fragmentation and unclear authority. At the core, however, seem to be uncertainties about the nature of these problems and even about the nature of the nexus itself. The paper focuses on an especially rich ecosystem of policy expert platforms that have emerged at the climate–health nexus over the p…
Ethical moments and institutional expertise in UK Government Covid-19 pandemic policy responses
Background: The emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic has required a rapid acceleration of policy decision making, and raised a wide range of ethical issues worldwide, ranging from vaccine prioritisation, welfare and public health ‘trade-offs’, inequalities in policy impacts, and the legitimacy of scientific expertise. Aims and objectives: This paper explores the legacy of the pandemic for future science-advice-policy relationships by inves…
Who are behavioural public policy experts and how are they organised globally
Behavioural public policy has spread internationally over recent years. Worldwide, expert units are translating insights from behavioural sciences into policy interventions. Yet, behavioural expert networks are a puzzling case. They seem to oscillate between two modes of collective action: as an epistemic community, they are based on the consensual belief that biases in behaviour pose a problem for policymaking. As an instrument constituency, the…
Behavioural mechanisms and public policy design
In the past decade, behavioural approaches to policy design have spread across jurisdictions and policy areas. While the number of studies on successful behavioural interventions continuously increases, scholars are reporting unintended side effects and other forms of policy failures associated with behavioural public policy. The paper aims at getting a better understanding of the various mechanisms of behavioural change and their impact on the s…
The Rise and Spread of Behavioral Public Policy
Some argue that the global rise of behavioral approaches challenges the rationalist tradition in public policy. Others fear that it could undermine deliberation and public reasoning. This paper focuses on the worldwide rise and spread of behavioral expertise and behavioral public policy. It provides a general insight in terms of the role of expertise, the science-policy nexus and the distribution of epistemic competences in public policy. Based o…
De-biasing democracy. Behavioural public policy and the post-democratic turn
This article focuses on the political implications of behavioural public policy for democratic governance and participation. It is being argued that it is an influential case illuminating the way post-democratic practices gain global authority and redefine democracy and citizenship. The article is based on two assumptions: First, the rise and spread of behavioural public policy can only be understood as the result of global interactions. Second, …
Lasswell’s legacy revisited
Some of Lasswell’s work is highly compatible with the recent trend of behavioural and psychological approaches in public policy. His suggestions to apply psychotherapeutic techniques in policy-making could be directly taken out of the toolkit of modern nudgers. In this paper, however, it is being argued that Lasswell provides a critical perspective. His multi-methodological approach, his contextual orientation and his analysis of science and poli…
Governing time for sustainability
Verhaltenspolitik im Wohlfahrtsstaat
Für den Wandel von Wohlfahrtsstaaten spielte das Verhältnis zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik schon immer eine Schlüsselrolle. Im Zentrum dieses Beitrags steht eine weitere Etappe dieser sozialpolitisch-epistemischen Interaktionen: Seit mehr als zehn Jahren beobachten wir inter- wie transnational die zunehmende Verbreitung von Verhaltenspolitiken – also solcher Maßnahmen, die auf Verhaltenswandel zielen und zu diesem Zweck auf Erkenntnisse der Ve…
Bringing the political back in
In his article, Newman aims at overcoming the binary rift between rationalists and constructivists, between supporters and opponents of evidence-based policy. Both positions, he argues, are not as incompatible as it seems. They could coexist by understanding that rationalists seek to reduce the influence of ideology on policy and that constructivists can show the difficulties of this task. The argumentative steps leading to his ‘deconstruction’ o…
Knowing the Future
The article gives a comparative and critical overview on theories of time in policy analysis. It is based on two central assumptions: First, the various ways time is conceptualized in policy analysis are closely related to underlying understandings of politics and political action. Theories of time are also always political theories. Debating time is thus not only of analytic value. It also has large implications on how power, rationality, and co…
Zeit der Politik
When does evidence-based policy turn into policy-based evidence? Configurations, contexts and mechanisms
Many studies on evidence-based policy are still clinging to a linear model. Instead, we propose to understand expertise and evidence as ‘socially embedded’ in authority relations and cultural contexts. Policy-relevant facts are the result of an intensive and complex struggle for political and epistemic authority. This is especially true where science and policy are difficult to distinguish and the guidelines for validating knowledge are highly co…
Embedded expertise
The role of science in modern democracies has long been a topic of heated debate. Recent scholarship has increasingly focused on the social construction of the science–policy–politics nexus. For understanding both the local specificity of concrete configurations and general trends much is to be gained from an analytical framework. In a first introductory section we describe already existing categorizations and typologies, identifying a research g…
Die Governance des Wissens
Zur Bewältigung seiner Aufgaben ist der rationale Staat auf die Generierung von Wissen durch stetige Gewinnung, Weitergabe und Verarbeitung von Informationen angewiesen. Erst die ausreichende Verfügbarkeit von Wissen schafft Handlungskapazität und Autorität. In neuerer Zeit scheint das Vertrauen in die Reichweite unseres Wissens immer mehr zu sinken, denn die gewaltige Vermehrung sicheren Wissens („reliable knowledge“) gerade durch die Naturwisse…
When does evidence-based policy turn into policy-based evidence? Configurations, contexts and mechanisms
Many studies on evidence-based policy are still clinging to a linear model. Instead, we propose to understand expertise and evidence as ‘socially embedded’ in authority relations and cultural contexts. Policy-relevant facts are the result of an intensive and complex struggle for political and epistemic authority. This is especially true where science and policy are difficult to distinguish and the guidelines for validating knowledge are highly co…
Who are behavioural public policy experts and how are they organised globally
Behavioural public policy has spread internationally over recent years. Worldwide, expert units are translating insights from behavioural sciences into policy interventions. Yet, behavioural expert networks are a puzzling case. They seem to oscillate between two modes of collective action: as an epistemic community, they are based on the consensual belief that biases in behaviour pose a problem for policymaking. As an instrument constituency, the…
Governing time for sustainability
Embedded expertise
The role of science in modern democracies has long been a topic of heated debate. Recent scholarship has increasingly focused on the social construction of the science–policy–politics nexus. For understanding both the local specificity of concrete configurations and general trends much is to be gained from an analytical framework. In a first introductory section we describe already existing categorizations and typologies, identifying a research g…
De-biasing democracy. Behavioural public policy and the post-democratic turn
This article focuses on the political implications of behavioural public policy for democratic governance and participation. It is being argued that it is an influential case illuminating the way post-democratic practices gain global authority and redefine democracy and citizenship. The article is based on two assumptions: First, the rise and spread of behavioural public policy can only be understood as the result of global interactions. Second, …
Bringing the political back in
In his article, Newman aims at overcoming the binary rift between rationalists and constructivists, between supporters and opponents of evidence-based policy. Both positions, he argues, are not as incompatible as it seems. They could coexist by understanding that rationalists seek to reduce the influence of ideology on policy and that constructivists can show the difficulties of this task. The argumentative steps leading to his ‘deconstruction’ o…
Behavioural mechanisms and public policy design
In the past decade, behavioural approaches to policy design have spread across jurisdictions and policy areas. While the number of studies on successful behavioural interventions continuously increases, scholars are reporting unintended side effects and other forms of policy failures associated with behavioural public policy. The paper aims at getting a better understanding of the various mechanisms of behavioural change and their impact on the s…
The Rise and Spread of Behavioral Public Policy
Some argue that the global rise of behavioral approaches challenges the rationalist tradition in public policy. Others fear that it could undermine deliberation and public reasoning. This paper focuses on the worldwide rise and spread of behavioral expertise and behavioral public policy. It provides a general insight in terms of the role of expertise, the science-policy nexus and the distribution of epistemic competences in public policy. Based o…
A world of evidence
How can we explain the worldwide spread of evidence-based policymaking despite continuous criticism? What are the underlying mechanisms of its persistence on a global scale? This article aims at answering these questions by focusing on the cultural constellations in which evidence is imbued with political as well as epistemic authority. Evidence cultures are discursive and institutional forces (re-)producing both the scientific validation of know…
Expertise under uncertainty
This paper centres on expert platforms at the nexus between global climate policies and public health. Policy nexus problems have been associated with fragmentation and unclear authority. At the core, however, seem to be uncertainties about the nature of these problems and even about the nature of the nexus itself. The paper focuses on an especially rich ecosystem of policy expert platforms that have emerged at the climate–health nexus over the p…
Ethical moments and institutional expertise in UK Government Covid-19 pandemic policy responses
Background: The emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic has required a rapid acceleration of policy decision making, and raised a wide range of ethical issues worldwide, ranging from vaccine prioritisation, welfare and public health ‘trade-offs’, inequalities in policy impacts, and the legitimacy of scientific expertise. Aims and objectives: This paper explores the legacy of the pandemic for future science-advice-policy relationships by inves…
Lasswell’s legacy revisited
Some of Lasswell’s work is highly compatible with the recent trend of behavioural and psychological approaches in public policy. His suggestions to apply psychotherapeutic techniques in policy-making could be directly taken out of the toolkit of modern nudgers. In this paper, however, it is being argued that Lasswell provides a critical perspective. His multi-methodological approach, his contextual orientation and his analysis of science and poli…
Knowing the Future
The article gives a comparative and critical overview on theories of time in policy analysis. It is based on two central assumptions: First, the various ways time is conceptualized in policy analysis are closely related to underlying understandings of politics and political action. Theories of time are also always political theories. Debating time is thus not only of analytic value. It also has large implications on how power, rationality, and co…
Die Governance des Wissens
Zur Bewältigung seiner Aufgaben ist der rationale Staat auf die Generierung von Wissen durch stetige Gewinnung, Weitergabe und Verarbeitung von Informationen angewiesen. Erst die ausreichende Verfügbarkeit von Wissen schafft Handlungskapazität und Autorität. In neuerer Zeit scheint das Vertrauen in die Reichweite unseres Wissens immer mehr zu sinken, denn die gewaltige Vermehrung sicheren Wissens („reliable knowledge“) gerade durch die Naturwisse…
When does evidence-based policy turn into policy-based evidence? Configurations, contexts and mechanisms
Many studies on evidence-based policy are still clinging to a linear model. Instead, we propose to understand expertise and evidence as ‘socially embedded’ in authority relations and cultural contexts. Policy-relevant facts are the result of an intensive and complex struggle for political and epistemic authority. This is especially true where science and policy are difficult to distinguish and the guidelines for validating knowledge are highly co…
Embedded expertise
The role of science in modern democracies has long been a topic of heated debate. Recent scholarship has increasingly focused on the social construction of the science–policy–politics nexus. For understanding both the local specificity of concrete configurations and general trends much is to be gained from an analytical framework. In a first introductory section we describe already existing categorizations and typologies, identifying a research g…
Zeit der Politik
Knowing the Future
The article gives a comparative and critical overview on theories of time in policy analysis. It is based on two central assumptions: First, the various ways time is conceptualized in policy analysis are closely related to underlying understandings of politics and political action. Theories of time are also always political theories. Debating time is thus not only of analytic value. It also has large implications on how power, rationality, and co…
Bringing the political back in
In his article, Newman aims at overcoming the binary rift between rationalists and constructivists, between supporters and opponents of evidence-based policy. Both positions, he argues, are not as incompatible as it seems. They could coexist by understanding that rationalists seek to reduce the influence of ideology on policy and that constructivists can show the difficulties of this task. The argumentative steps leading to his ‘deconstruction’ o…
Verhaltenspolitik im Wohlfahrtsstaat
Für den Wandel von Wohlfahrtsstaaten spielte das Verhältnis zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik schon immer eine Schlüsselrolle. Im Zentrum dieses Beitrags steht eine weitere Etappe dieser sozialpolitisch-epistemischen Interaktionen: Seit mehr als zehn Jahren beobachten wir inter- wie transnational die zunehmende Verbreitung von Verhaltenspolitiken – also solcher Maßnahmen, die auf Verhaltenswandel zielen und zu diesem Zweck auf Erkenntnisse der Ve…
Lasswell’s legacy revisited
Some of Lasswell’s work is highly compatible with the recent trend of behavioural and psychological approaches in public policy. His suggestions to apply psychotherapeutic techniques in policy-making could be directly taken out of the toolkit of modern nudgers. In this paper, however, it is being argued that Lasswell provides a critical perspective. His multi-methodological approach, his contextual orientation and his analysis of science and poli…
Governing time for sustainability
The Rise and Spread of Behavioral Public Policy
Some argue that the global rise of behavioral approaches challenges the rationalist tradition in public policy. Others fear that it could undermine deliberation and public reasoning. This paper focuses on the worldwide rise and spread of behavioral expertise and behavioral public policy. It provides a general insight in terms of the role of expertise, the science-policy nexus and the distribution of epistemic competences in public policy. Based o…
De-biasing democracy. Behavioural public policy and the post-democratic turn
This article focuses on the political implications of behavioural public policy for democratic governance and participation. It is being argued that it is an influential case illuminating the way post-democratic practices gain global authority and redefine democracy and citizenship. The article is based on two assumptions: First, the rise and spread of behavioural public policy can only be understood as the result of global interactions. Second, …
Who are behavioural public policy experts and how are they organised globally
Behavioural public policy has spread internationally over recent years. Worldwide, expert units are translating insights from behavioural sciences into policy interventions. Yet, behavioural expert networks are a puzzling case. They seem to oscillate between two modes of collective action: as an epistemic community, they are based on the consensual belief that biases in behaviour pose a problem for policymaking. As an instrument constituency, the…
Behavioural mechanisms and public policy design
In the past decade, behavioural approaches to policy design have spread across jurisdictions and policy areas. While the number of studies on successful behavioural interventions continuously increases, scholars are reporting unintended side effects and other forms of policy failures associated with behavioural public policy. The paper aims at getting a better understanding of the various mechanisms of behavioural change and their impact on the s…
Ethical moments and institutional expertise in UK Government Covid-19 pandemic policy responses
Background: The emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic has required a rapid acceleration of policy decision making, and raised a wide range of ethical issues worldwide, ranging from vaccine prioritisation, welfare and public health ‘trade-offs’, inequalities in policy impacts, and the legitimacy of scientific expertise. Aims and objectives: This paper explores the legacy of the pandemic for future science-advice-policy relationships by inves…
Expertise under uncertainty
This paper centres on expert platforms at the nexus between global climate policies and public health. Policy nexus problems have been associated with fragmentation and unclear authority. At the core, however, seem to be uncertainties about the nature of these problems and even about the nature of the nexus itself. The paper focuses on an especially rich ecosystem of policy expert platforms that have emerged at the climate–health nexus over the p…
A world of evidence
How can we explain the worldwide spread of evidence-based policymaking despite continuous criticism? What are the underlying mechanisms of its persistence on a global scale? This article aims at answering these questions by focusing on the cultural constellations in which evidence is imbued with political as well as epistemic authority. Evidence cultures are discursive and institutional forces (re-)producing both the scientific validation of know…
Stalling, straining, severing, shallowing, simulating
The relationship between politicization and sustainability transformation is complex and multifaceted. Politicization is often viewed as a catalyst for sustainability transformations. Through contestation and mobilization of societal actors, it provides the impetus for broad and deep social change, bringing societies onto more just and ecologically sustainable pathways. At the same time, politicization can also have detrimental effects, potential…
The WHO has ratified pandemic agreement
On 20 May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. After nearly three years of negotiations and after failing to adopt it in 2024, this is a decisive step towards more combined efforts to address future pandemics. The final text of the treaty highlights the need for equitable access to pandemic-related health products and aims to improve the ability of international health re…
Ethics-policy advisory ecosystems
The organisational practices, status and role of policy-focussed ethics advisory committees are significant in relation to scientific advances, societal transformations and crisis situations. Existing research has explored the effectiveness, de/politicisation and deliberative aspects of national ethics bodies, but their role in wider ecosystems of policy advice is neglected. It is sometimes argued that ethics committees have little impact on prac…
Political science (16 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Economics (11 works) · Law (10 works) · Law (10 works) · Politics (9 works) · Computer Science (7 works) · Epistemology (7 works) · Positive economics (7 works) · Public policy (7 works)