Communicating research for evidence-based policymaking

22 Jul, 2010

A report on "Communicating research for evidence-based policymaking" has been published by the European Commission. The context taken from the report -

"Evidence-based policymaking depends, first of all, on the existence and availability of reliable evidence. No less importantly, it requires that researchers and policymakers communicate with each other effectively. Both parties stand to benefit from this interaction.

Tackling socio-economic challenges is definitely a cooperative enterprise. Cooperation between policymakers and researchers, however, does not always come naturally. A familiar set of obstacles – cultural, linguistic and institutional – can make interaction difficult.

Fortunately, important steps have been taken to overcome the communications deficit in recent years. The trend towards evidencebased policymaking has provided impetus for productive interaction between researchers and decision-making entities around the globe, including the institutions of the European Union.

Within the European Commission, the principles of evidence-based policymaking are reflected in the Framework Programmes for Research, which are administrated by the Directorate-General for Research (DG
Research). Because of its focus on public policy themes, the DG’s Science, Economy and Society Directorate is particularly interested in strengthening the interface between researchers and policymakers.

With that in mind the Directorate has solicited input on the subject from leading academics, decisionmakers
and knowledge transfer specialists throughout Europe. Their insights provided the basis for this guide.
Researchers, in order to meet the objectives of the Framework Programmes, need to communicate with policymakers effectively.

European Commission