Using FOI to explore governance and decision-making in the UK

Abstract

Introduction This chapter considers use of freedom of information (FOI) legislation in researching decision-making by those in authority within a context of declining public trust in elites and simultaneous demands for greater transparency. A particular focus is the use of FOI as a tool for social research, and its relationship with investigative journalism. The chapter begins with a summary of the use of FOI in UK social research, before introducing examples of FOIA requests by others, including journalists. This is followed with an account of my own use of FOI to explore decision-making in a failed public service contract in the UK. A concluding discussion considers the potential for using FOIA as a tool for research beyond the collection of information, to support a more critical exploration of decision-making within state organisations, with some final comments on the relationship between social research and investigative journalism.