Writing for impact: How to create policy briefs that influence policy-making

ISSUE/PROBLEM: Effective communication between academics and policy makers can be challenging due to differences in language, priorities, and deadlines. Policy makers are often pressed for time and require concise and actionable information to inform their decisions. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: Policy briefs are a useful tool for bridging the gap between research and policy making. However, not all policy briefs are created equal, and some may not effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to policy makers. To be effective, policy briefs should incorporate behavioural insights. This can help them to be understandable and succinct, evidence-based, and feasible and actionable. Moreover, the type and content of a policy brief should be informed by the needs of the stakeholders and the specific stage of the policy cycle. RESULTS: Policy briefs that adhere to these characteristics have a higher likelihood of informing policy decisions and creating impact for researchers. They can raise awareness of current research on a policy issue and communicate evidence-based recommendations in a concise and accessible format. LESSONS LEARNED: Policy making is a cyclical process and it is possible to influence policy at all stages in its formation, implementation or evaluation. Writing effective policy briefs requires careful consideration of the target audience and their needs. In addition, researchers should create a specific research plan, including methods and procedures, for how to measure the impact of their briefs.