can research influence policy?
DESCRIPTION
By Marianne Gadeberg and Michael VictorPresented at the Mekong Forum on Water, Food and EnergyPhnom Penh, CambodiaDecember 7-9, 2011Session 8a: Presenting the Work of the M-POWER FellowsTRANSCRIPT
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