Sarah Ball

My research explores how knowledge and evidence are translated into policy design and implementation. Previously I have explored the use of behavioural insights, experimental methods, codesign and am now interrogating digital transformation in the development of policy. I am currently completing an ARC Linkage Project titled 'The new digital governance of welfare-to-work' and an ESRC project exploring 'Ethics and expertise in times of crisis: Learning from international varieties of ethics advice'. In August 2025 I will be undertaking a DECRA project titled 'Behind the Screens: Interrogating Digital Service Design and Delivery'. Prior to undertaking my Phd I worked in the Australian Public Service, where I developed a deep interest in public administration, knowledge sharing and evidence-based policy. My research explores how knowledge and evidence are translated into policy design and implementation. Previously I have explored the use of behavioural insights, experimental methods, codesign and am now interrogating digital transformation in the development of policy.

[2026] Ethics-policy advisory ecosystems: enhancing operative, discursive and adaptive capacities. Pykett, Jessica, Antanavičiūte, Marija, Ball, Sarah, Dippel, Beatrice, Pearce, Warren, Straßheim, Holger and Ulnicane, Inga (2026). Contemporary Social Science, 21 (1) 2631477, 1-22. doi: 10.1080/21582041.2026.2631477 [2026] Understanding ethics advisory bodies in Australia through a policy advisory systems lens. Ball, Sarah, Antanavičiūtė, Marija, Dippel, Beatrice, Pearce, Warren, Pykett, Jessica and Straβheim, Holger (2026). Policy Studies, 1-21. doi: 10.1080/01442872.2026.2692704 [2025] Using interpretive political science to understand policy-making in practice. Ball, Sarah (2025). Australian Journal of Political Science, 59 (4), 411-423. doi: 10.1080/10361146.2025.2454556 [2025] Who deci