Interdisciplinary approach and the policy landscape of Bangladesh

Illustration: TBS

A good policy is an actionable policy. In Bangladesh, public policies are often not formulated based on comprehensive frameworks and rigorous analyses. The policy-making process lacks robustness, which explains the repeated policy failures across various sectors. 

To ensure the success of policies, it is crucial to address these pitfalls and introduce innovative strides that can lead to better outcomes. As we are in a process of reform, this need becomes even more pressing. One such stride is the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach to policy-making.

In Bangladesh, several policies have been formulated using an evidence-based approach, such as the National Water Policy (1999), the National Agriculture Policy (2013), the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act Rules (1997, amended in 2023), and the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. However, only a limited number of policies, if any, adopt an interdisciplinary approach. Given the inherently complex nature of many policy challenges, embracing an interdisciplinary framework during the policy formulation process is crucial for addressing these multifaceted issues effectively. 

An interdisciplinary approach combines different academic disciplines to solve shared problems, encouraging them to go beyond their usual disciplinary boundaries. The distinction between an interdisciplinary approach and a multidisciplinary approach is that an interdisciplinary approach involves integrating and blending insights from different disciplines to create new knowledge and solutions, while a multidisciplinary approach simply brings together different disciplines without necessarily combining or integrating their methods or perspectives.

In certain policy sectors, an interdisciplinary approach is particularly essential. Education policy is a prime example of it. Education involves a complex mix of economic considerations, the perspectives of guardians, student psychology, and various societal variables, all of which must be understood and integrated to create effective solutions.

For instance, while introducing a curriculum that has been proven effective in other countries may seem like a good idea, it could fail if we overlook whether guardians can afford the logistical support required for its successful implementation. If economists, sociologists, psychologists, and other experts analyse the situation together and confirm that the curriculum is not only effective but also feasible within the local context, only then the curriculum should be proposed. 

Why an interdisciplinary approach is crucial for effective policymaking

Following an interdisciplinary approach is essential for effective policy-making because it enables a comprehensive and holistic solution to complex problems. A policy's goal is to address specific issues, but these issues often have multiple facets and interconnected challenges. In this context, an interdisciplinary approach allows for tackling each aspect of a problem while also considering related issues, ensuring that the solution is both broad and sustainable. 

In today's world, where sustainability is a key objective, an interdisciplinary approach to policy-making becomes even more crucial as it fosters stronger frameworks that can adapt to evolving and dynamic environmental, social, and economic challenges. 

We formulate policies with an eye on the future. However, the future is uncertain. 

As such, new policies must be designed in a way that promotes adaptive policymaking, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances. This, in essence, is the core of the interdisciplinary approach, which encourages the integration of diverse perspectives to craft solutions that are not only comprehensive but also adaptable. 

As it integrates insights from diverse disciplines, it enhances a system's resilience and its ability to absorb shocks, thus making it more adaptable in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, adopting an interdisciplinary approach strengthens policy effectiveness and prepares systems for long-term success and stability.

Integrating interdisciplinary approach in the policy-making of Bangladesh: 

Policy-making occurs at different layers, and it is important to bring an interdisciplinary approach into all of these layers to create better solutions. At the top level, ministries and their heads play a big role in shaping policies. They need to understand the value of an interdisciplinary approach and actively endorse it in the policy-making process. If they promote an interdisciplinary approach, a foundation for more well-rounded and sustainable policies is set.

Agencies and professionals within ministries also need the right skills to apply interdisciplinary approaches effectively. They need training to approach problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

We must keep in mind that interdisciplinary research approaches are crucial not only for policy formulation but also for translating policies into practice through strategies, plans, programs, and projects. During this translation phase, an interdisciplinary approach enhances the practical implementation of policies by fostering collaboration across sectors and adapting solutions to diverse contexts, ensuring greater effectiveness and sustainability

Training programs at institutions like Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre  (BPATC), Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM), and National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD), which prepare policy-makers, have an important role to play here. These programs should encourage and teach interdisciplinary approaches so that the policy-makers of tomorrow are ready to tackle complex problems from multiple angles. 

Moreover, when ministries hire consultants, they should make sure that the Terms of Reference (TOR) encourage an interdisciplinary approach, especially when the issue is complex. The consultant's ability to apply an interdisciplinary approach should be clear from the beginning, and this should be checked during the inception reporting and feedback workshops. 

We must keep in mind that interdisciplinary research approaches are crucial not only for policy formulation but also for translating policies into practice through strategies, plans, programs, and projects. During this translation phase, an interdisciplinary approach enhances the practical implementation of policies by fostering collaboration across sectors and adapting solutions to diverse contexts, ensuring greater effectiveness and sustainability.

Some sectors, such as education, public health, environment and water management, financial regulation, agriculture, and urban development, are inherently more interdisciplinary than others due to their complex and interconnected nature. To effectively incorporate an interdisciplinary approach into policy-making, the first step is to identify key sectors that require interdisciplinary approaches. Many sectors in Bangladesh currently adopt a multidisciplinary approach, where experts from different disciplines contribute individually. However, their contributions remain siloed rather than integrated, resulting in multiple cases of policy failure. 

Ministries must actively implement interdisciplinary research approaches in their policy processes. This can be done in two ways: ex-ante, by committing to an interdisciplinary approach from the beginning for all new policies, and ex-post, by reviewing existing policies to determine where an interdisciplinary approach was necessary but not applied, followed by revising those policies to include interdisciplinary perspectives.

Furthermore, an interdisciplinary approach should be embedded throughout the entire policy-making process, from the grassroots level to the highest levels of decision-making. This requires ensuring that an interdisciplinary lens is used at every stage, fostering collaboration and building capacity across institutions. 

Universities and research institutes should also work on building the capacity for Interdisciplinary research and approach. Research competitions and grants focused on this can further motivate innovative solutions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Incorporating an interdisciplinary approach at every level—from academia to leadership to training and research—will help policy-making in Bangladesh be more effective, adaptable, and able to address the country's complex challenges. By embedding interdisciplinary research into the fabric of policymaking, Bangladesh can develop more comprehensive, effective, and forward-thinking solutions to its complex challenges, ensuring that policies are not only relevant today but also resilient to future uncertainties.

Sketch: TBS

Dr Sultan Ahmed is the Associate Director at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM), Former Secretary of the Power Division, Former Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), and Former Director-General of the Department of Environment. 

Tasfia Tasneem Ahmed is an Assistant Professor at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM). 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.