How/When does Research Influence Policy?

Duncan Green, OxfamMarch 2014

AND REMEMBER, USUALLY IT DOESN’T......

Start with the right questions

1. What are we trying to achieve?

2. Who are we trying to influence with evidence?

3. What’s already known? What more is needed?

4. What kind of research will be most effective?

5. How should we engage our targets for best effect?NOT6. I’ve done my research, now how do I get people to

listen to my findings?

Timing matters (and shapes research): The Policy Funnel

Media and narrative, bearing witness;Messengers not just message

General Opinion

Public Debate

Policy Process

Final Decision

Concepts/agenda setting

Questions/Framing/instruments

Solutions/Problems

$/ text

WhatCoalition?

Power Analysis;

PDIA

Comparative; implementation

gaps

Room for manoeuvre falls, relative importance of internal players increases

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

Target Evidence they respond to best

Policymakers Big ideas. Compelling stories. Positive visions.

Civil servants Objective, rigorous, Credible methodology. Data. Technical details.

Corporate executives Company-specific findings. Credible methodology.

Communities Community-focused. Generated with their participation.

Activists, Public attitudes and beliefs

Human face to the story. Killer facts – easy to rememberClear impacts of policy

Media Controversial, new.Human face to the storyKiller facts with numbers.

Who are we trying to influence with evidence?

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

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

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

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

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)

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

Any Questions?

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