Getting research intoPolicy and Practice

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Getting research into Policy and Practice

• ESRC Investment Conference 2008
• Gwilym Morris, Pollination Campaigns, DCAL and
  ELSE

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Overview of session
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The importance of ideas
It is important for everyone that politicians
have access to and understand the work of ESRC
funded research.
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The tension in the relationship between
politicians and academics
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In academia things appear complicated but are
often the result of a simple idea
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In politics things can appear simple but are
often the result of complex and conflicting ideas
Difference in average surface temperature
deviation from 1961-90 average
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Yes Minister

• Politicians are simple people they like simple
  people they like simple choices and clear
  guidance

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Polls Apart research into the accessibility of
polling stations
A photograph rather than a decade of research had
the biggest impact in delivering the Electoral
Administration Act 2006. Why? Because it
enabled everybody to clearly understand the
problem.
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What is public policy

• Public policy a deliberate plan of action to
  guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes in
  this case by government
• Politicians the people we elect to influence
  decisions
• Government the people who make decisions
• Civil service the people who help people who
  make the decision, make the decision.

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The public policy jungle

• You have a good idea or some interesting
  research.
• Natural selection in this jungle means only the
  toughest will survive.

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How to survive the jungle

• Write a list (i.e. set up a contact database)
• then make friends with people on it

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Lots of people have good ideas

Make friends with people who have similar ones to
you
Political parties
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Everyone has friends in high places

Make friends with people who represent your
interests
Political parties
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How to make friends (and keep them)

• Introduce yourself and tell them what you do
  send them an email / write them a letter / invite
  them to visit
• Keep them informed of what you are up to create
  a basic newsletter / send out simple press
  releases
• Target them with the right kind of information
  simple briefings are good, complex academic
  papers are bad.
• Ask your friends to do something for you people
  in the public policy jungle are often more than
  willing to help

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For more information please contact Email gwilym
_at_pollinationcampaigns.co.uk Office 0845 459
0018 Direct 01792360437 Mobile 07939
225085 Skype gwilym.morris
Any questions