HowWhen does Research Influence Policy Duncan Green Oxfam

How/When does Research Influence Policy? Duncan Green, Oxfam March 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? NOT 6. I’ve done my research, now how do I get people to listen to my findings?

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

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

Who are we trying to influence with evidence? 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 remember Clear impacts of policy Media Controversial, new. Human face to the story Killer facts with numbers.

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? l BEFORE the research is published – Governance – Interviews and consultation – Review drafts l l l 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? l l 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 l l 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 l l l 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