Mind the gap: policy development and research on conflict issues

This report presents the findings of a project examining the relationship between the research and policy worlds, looking at the extent to which, if any, research on conflict issues is being used in the development of policy. The project results also provide a series of tactics that policy oriented researchers can adopt to increase their influence.

The report looks at the realities of the the policymakers world, and offers the following findings:

• Expectations: by and large, the working culture in which civil servants function does not expect them to stay current with the latest research
• Catalysts: ironically one of the few catalysts indicated by policymakers to seeking out research is the need to develop policy. Research was seen to contribute in a few other specific ways
• Research sources: a clear hierarchy is evident: personal contacts, journals, events, the Internet and finally books
• Reviewing publications: due to lack of time policymakers skim the executive summary looking for new stuff and then dip-in to the main report to find out more
• Credibility: the researcher’s track record is the most important determinant of that researchers’ credibility
• Neutrality: few researchers are deemed to be truly neutral and it would appear that assessments of neutrality are based on a mix of researcher reputation and the content of the research output

The author then looks at impediments to the interaction and influence of research on policy, highlighting the following:

• Differences: There are a number of differences between the research and policy world that act as impediments to effective utilisation of research, such as timeframes, contradictory values, differing approaches to conflict resolution and fear or perceptions of one’s role
• Personal inhibitors for policymakers: such as "ownership" of policies and lack of time to extend research to be looked at
• Frustrations with research: the four main complaints were lack of quality, poor presentation, timing problems and lack of contextual understanding

The seven tactics to improve research utilisation suggested are:

• Select a strategy appropriate to the policy goal
• Design the research project with policy influence in mind
• Develop an understanding of the policymaker’s working context
• Engage with potential users
• Develop an actionable option analysis
• Disseminate and present user-friendly research results
• Capitalize on windows of opportunity

Report concludes that it is not only the responsibility of the researcher to insure that their findings appear on the right desk at the right time, but also for policymakers to look for the newest work to inform better decision making. [Adapted from author]