By Helen Tilley, Louise Shaxson, John Young, and Louise Ball
2. Louise Shaxson (biography)
3. John Young (biography)
4. Louise Ball (biography)
How can research influence public policy so that it is based on the best-available evidence? What different ways of working are required of researchers? Here are 10 things researchers from the UK’s Overseas Development Institute have found helpful.
1. Know what you want to influence
Being clear about the policy issue, theme or process you want to change is the first step to effective policy influencing. Are you looking to influence legislation, or a change in government policy? You might want to encourage greater investment in a certain programme or approach, or a change in practice. You might want to influence perceptions or attitudes, or the language people use around an issue.
2. Know who you want to influence
Who has the power to enact a change in a policy process or change the debate on an issue?