Bridging research and policy

The paper

• discusses what is meant by 'policy' and the 'policy process'
• reviews thinking on policy, presenting alternative models, and setting out a framework for thinking about the interaction between research and policy, frameworks explored are:
  • the evidence-based policy approach
  • various network concepts
  • a dynamic 'windows of opportunity' model
  • the Group think theory of flawed group decision making
  • bridging research and policy checklists
• looks at the respective challenges facing researchers and policy-makers
• the paper asks if the range of advice already offered to researchers be extended? And if policy-makers can be helped by new ideas such as evidence-based policy-making and performance-based evaluation?
• finally the paper draws these threads together, suggesting that the impact of research is uncertain and contingent on social and political context

Conclusions include the following:

• Researchers must pay attention to research demand from policy-makers. Such research needs to be presented in an easily digestible format
• Policy-makers need research to help make decisions but also to support policy positions. Consequently, research can be distorted to political ends
• Internal incentive structures are needed for politicians, bureaucrats and organisations to effectively absorb and utilise research or interact with researchers
• Different political systems and cultures give different opportunities to different types of research