A good policy brief is clearly targeted. It should focus on a specific policy need, challenge, or evidence gap. Instead of starting with your research, begin by understanding the policy challenges faced by those in relevant policy networks. Identify people working directly or indirectly on policy to determine the key questions your brief should address. If you lack answers to these questions, consider collaborating with someone who has the necessary evidence.
Interview with Jen Gold
In this interview, Jen Gold, Director of Research at ESRC, talks about the challenges researchers face when engaging with policymakers. She discusses the importance of understanding policymakers’ needs, the interdisciplinary nature of policy problems, and effective ways to present research. Gold emphasises the value of building networks, increasing exposure to policy debates, and leveraging platforms like the Universities Policy Engagement Network and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology to enhance policy engagement from the outset.
Interview with Peter Singleton
In this video, Peter Singleton from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) discusses the importance of building relationships, ensuring research aligns with operational needs and the challenges of integrating scientific advancements into practical applications. Singleton highlights how mutual understanding and the right fit between research objectives and policy needs are crucial for effective collaboration, offering viewers a closer look at the dynamics of research-policy partnerships.