Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Additional Reading

Linking Research with Policy

This section explores findings from a paper by Anna Hopkins and colleagues, which addresses the complexities of aligning academic research with policymaking. The study emphasises the crucial role of academics in not only producing relevant and credible research but also actively engaging in the policymaking process. It underscores the need for strategic, adaptive, and supportive engagement practices to enhance the impact of research on policy.

Practical Tips to Effectively Link Research with Policy:

  • Tailor engagement
  • Balanced support strategy
  • Define clear goals
  • Enhance practical knowledge
  • Develop evaluation methods
  • Clarify expectations

Practical Tips to Effectively Link Research with Policy:

Tailor engagement: Go beyond abstract models and adjust engagement strategies to align with the real practices of policymakers, prioritising practical interactions over idealised ones.|

Balanced support strategy: Develop a support strategy that considers the needs of individuals, institutions, and systems, acknowledging the varied impact of research across different contexts.

Define clear goals: Set specific goals for each engagement effort and evaluate success against these objectives to prevent misaligned efforts and ambiguous results.|

Enhance practical knowledge: Provide researchers with a deeper understanding of policy processes, enhancing their ability to engage effectively and make informed decisions about impact trade-offs.

Develop evaluation methods: Innovate new methods to assess the effectiveness of engagement initiatives, emphasising skill development for impactful research and broader policy comprehension among publics and policymakers.

Clarify expectations: Clearly define expectations for researchers in terms of network engagement and co-production to foster effective and accountable research practices.