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How/When does Research Influence Policy?

How/When does Research Influence Policy? . Duncan Green, Oxfam March 2014. And remember, Usually it doesn’t. Start with the right questions. What are we trying to achieve? Who are we trying to influence with evidence? What’s already known? What more is needed?

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How/When does Research Influence Policy?

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  1. How/When does Research Influence Policy? Duncan Green, Oxfam March 2014

  2. And remember, Usually it doesn’t......

  3. Start with the right questions • What are we trying to achieve? • Who are we trying to influence with evidence? • What’s already known? What more is needed? • What kind of research will be most effective? • How should we engage our targets for best effect? NOT 6. I’ve done my research, now how do I get people to listen to my findings?

  4. Timing matters (and shapes research): The Policy Funnel GeneralOpinion Public Debate Policy Process Final Decision Concepts/agenda setting Questions/Framing/instruments Solutions/ Problems $/ text Room for manoeuvre falls, relative importance of internal players increases What Coalition? Power Analysis; PDIA Comparative; implementation gaps Media and narrative, bearing witness; Messengers not just message

  5. More on Timing (it really does matter) • Enter debates early (agenda setting rather than negotiating final details) • Climate change adaptation big numbers • Plan around the political timetable • Shocks = Crucial Windows of Opportunity (but a challenge for researchers) • Robin Hood Tax • Climate Change and shocks

  6. Who are we trying to influence with evidence?

  7. What’s Already Known? (aka ‘do a quick literature review’) – Focus!

  8. What do we want to know? Beware ‘just add it to the terms of reference’ syndrome. Focus some more!

  9. What is effective for shaping debates? Introducing ‘killer facts’

  10. How to engage targets? • BEFORE the research is published • Governance • Interviews and consultation • Review drafts • Who do they respect/listen to? Research partners and messengers as important as message • Narratives not data • They want things to do, not more to read

  11. How to disseminate your findings? • Publish drafts and ask for comments • Use knowledge intermediaries (esp if you’re no good at talking to normal people) • Blogs, 2 page (not 10 page) summaries, and op-eds, not long papers • Multi media (infographics, videos, social media) all helps (but decision makers still don’t use it)

  12. How not to engage targets • Show off your knowledge • Say/imply ‘everything is incredibly complex and context specific, so I spit on you and your generalizations’ • Post modern plays on words (an IDS speciality) • ‘Needs more Research’ tourette’s

  13. Any Questions?

  14. Further Reading on From Poverty to Power • Knowledge to Policy (IDRC) book review • Knowledge, Policy and Power in International Development (ODI) Book Review • How can research funders work better with INGOs? post • Dos and Don’ts on Research -> policy post • What does the White House want from researchers? post

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