Did you know that working with Policy makers is a good way to ensure your research is out there having an impact and being used to make a difference to society?
Academic research can provide evidence, knowlege and expertise to help to inform, design, change and scrutinise government policy. Engaging with policymakers brings benefits such as developing networks and collaborating with people who share your policy interest as well as the sharing of ideas and research knowledge to produce high quality research for policy.
Top Tips for engagement with policy makers
- Be clear on your research focus and expertise
- Be consistent in your research output channels
- Proactively identify key policymakers you want to engage with and target them directly
- Invite policymakers to the university to give lectures and meet academics working on research
- Invite policymakers to be part of your advisory board
- Maintain an active media presence to communicate the quality of your policy research
You will find a host of resources in the links below that will provide you with an understanding of how policy works and how to influence policy and practice. There is also a video from the NIHR webinar held in April 2023 on ‘Engaging with policy makers: can your research influence policy?’
8 Key Tips on how to influence policy
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-019-0232-y#Sec3
How researchers influence policy and practice
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/how-researchers-can-influence-policy-and-practice/21343
Engaging with UK Parliament
https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/
Government Areas of Research Interest
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/areas-of-research-interest
Universities Policy Engagement Network
Transforming Evidence
http://transforming-evidence.org/
Nesta Engaging with evidence toolkit
https://www.nesta.org.uk/toolkit/engaging-with-evidence-toolkit/
NIHR webinar on ‘Engaging with policy makers: can your research influence policy?’
This video recording is available to view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vr6WSCV9B4