can research influence policy?

CAN RESEARCH INFLUENCE POLICY

CONTENTS The purpose of this session is to get us to

step outside our normative and rational thinking to look at how we can spread our ideas to influence people and processes.

How are policies made? What is the role of research in policy

making? What are some tools that can be used

If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.

(LaoFAB)

IS POLICY MAKING PROCESSES LINEAR?

OR ITERATIVE, INTERACTIVE AND BASED ON TRUST, RESPECT AND INFLUENCE

Where policy is made – on the golf course

HOW IS POLICY MADE? Reactive decision-making Dominated by political expediency Based on interpretations and

understanding (rather than evidence) Participatory development process Impacted by personal interactions

1885 Edward J. Claghorn of New York, New York granted U.S. Patent 312,085, for an automobile safety belt.

1959 US Congress passes legislation requiring all automobiles to comply with safety standards including seat belts.

1970 State of Victoria, Australia, passes first law worldwide making seat belt wearing compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers.

EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES!

IS THE PROBLEM INFORMATION GAP OR HOW INFORMATION IS USED? Information = power Cooperation built on trust Trust comes from understanding Understanding = access to information and

interpretation

Evidence plays a relatively modest role in policy making, which is dominated by political expediency.

Policy makers tend to use stories rather than ‘hard’ evidence as they are easy to understand and effective.

Decision makers tend to focus on communication as a way of getting a message across rather than as a participatory development process.

Personal interaction remains the most effective means of communicating with policy makers.

Communication strategies should build on existing networks and communities of interest.

http://www.healthlink.org.uk/we-do/comms_icd.html

INTERESTING CONCLUSIONS FROM A POLICY COMMUNICATION IN HEALTH SURVEY

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION Strategic communication is

communication in a planned, strategic way in order to bring about positive social change.

It is just not public information or PR Not noise or buzz Multiple channels Iterative Takes time

TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATING RESEARCH

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a diagnostic method for collecting and analyzing data about the patterns of relationships among people in groups.

It helps to: Understand the flow of knowledge,

information and Innovation Understand where there are

potential nodes of influence and dissemination area

Target opportunities where increased knowledge flow will have the most impact

Helps us find (strategic!) ways to get our ideas accepted or used by influence makers

SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS

• Engage with secretaries, staff of policy-makers, those who write speeches

• Not just your facts and figures, not just your story but who communicates it: Look for influential people to communicate your findings

• Develop and sustain networks - don’t rely on one person

USE OF INTERMEDIARIES

We all have our own networks: Friends who work for

government Wives, family members

of those you are trying to influence are good ways to spread ideas

USING YOUR OWN NETWORK INFLUENCE

PUBLICATIONS Research papers Policy briefs Books

Media can grab attention of Politicians – concerned about reputation

Legitimizes research Can act as a reference and provide balance information Relations with media need to be carefully managed and

developed – building trust

USE OF MEDIA

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, FLICKR

FIELD TRIPS

“Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, I may remember.

But involve me, and I’ll understand.”

Chinese Proverb

EXERCISETarget Changes

soughtTools to use

Committee members of an RBO

Understanding multiple uses of water

• Face-to-face communication• Short presentations/meetings (iterative)• Field trip to talk with local stakeholders• Evidence-based briefs

Director of Water Resources at the Ministry of Environment

Multiple use requirements included in hydropower concession agreements

• Use of intermediaries• Media• Policy briefs (through intermediaries)• Present findings at national-level workshops• Provide information to your mentor• Journal articles