Introduction

Experts are involved in policy analysis in diverse ways, from the universityprofessor who does independent research to the academically trained expertemployed by a consultancy or a firm. Yet, the boundary separating scientificpolicy advice from consulting and interest organisations’ lobbyingactivities has become blurred. This makes it difficult to assess the extentto which policy analysis, and particularly policy evaluation, has become aprofession in Spain. This chapter begins with a discussion on the concept of‘profession’, to clarify its multidimensional and ambivalentnature and to frame the discussion on policy analysis as a profession inSpain. Although policy analysis and policy evaluation have differentdefinitions, and different functions and methodologies from each other, bothwill be considered, as both ‘produce knowledge of and in the policyprocess and are client and decision-making oriented’ (Geva-May andPal, 1999: 259, 264). In the following sections, the chapter explains theevolution of the professionalisation of policy analysis and policyevaluation in Spain for the last decades, and describes the milestones thatare still driving the professionalisation of policy analysis, taking intoaccount the importance of postgraduate programmes, professionalassociations, conferences, and other network-like activities, andSpain’s entry into the European Union (EU). Finally, this chapterpresents what may be one of the challenges for the future of policy analystsand evaluators, as well as one of the lines for future research: big data.The last section brings together the main findings of the chapter.

Reflections on the concept of profession

There is a long and intense debate about what constitutes a‘profession’ and ‘professionalism’ and thecharacteristics that define them. Millerson’s (1964) orWilensky’s (1964) works are often cited as reference points.According to Millerson, a profession ‘is a type of higher-grade,non-manual occupation, with both subjectively and objectively recognisedoccupational status, possessing a well-defined area of study or concern andproviding a definite service, after advanced training and education’(1964: 10).

According to this definition, a profession exists to the extent that it hasbeen formalised as an occupational class. An occupation that entails lengthytraining and a formal qualification, like medical doctors, judges, lawyers,or engineers, would be a profession.