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The dos and don’ts of influencing policy: a systematic review of advice to academics

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  • Kathryn Oliver

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Paul Cairney

    (University of Stirling)

Abstract

Many academics have strong incentives to influence policymaking, but may not know where to start. We searched systematically for, and synthesised, the ‘how to’ advice in the academic peer-reviewed and grey literatures. We condense this advice into eight main recommendations: (1) Do high quality research; (2) make your research relevant and readable; (3) understand policy processes; (4) be accessible to policymakers: engage routinely, flexible, and humbly; (5) decide if you want to be an issue advocate or honest broker; (6) build relationships (and ground rules) with policymakers; (7) be ‘entrepreneurial’ or find someone who is; and (8) reflect continuously: should you engage, do you want to, and is it working? This advice seems like common sense. However, it masks major inconsistencies, regarding different beliefs about the nature of the problem to be solved when using this advice. Furthermore, if not accompanied by critical analysis and insights from the peer-reviewed literature, it could provide misleading guidance for people new to this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathryn Oliver & Paul Cairney, 2019. "The dos and don’ts of influencing policy: a systematic review of advice to academics," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:5:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-019-0232-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-019-0232-y
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    Cited by:

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    4. Tanja Brüchert & Paula Quentin & Sabine Baumgart & Gabriele Bolte, 2021. "Barriers, Facilitating Factors, and Intersectoral Collaboration for Promoting Active Mobility for Healthy Aging—A Qualitative Study within Local Government in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Antonopoulou, Vivi & chadwick, paul & McGee, O & Sniehotta, Falko & Lorencatto, Fabiana & Meyer, Carly & O'Donnell, Amy & Lecouturier, Jan & Kelly, Michael P & Michie, Susan, 2021. "Research Engagement with Policy Makers: a practical guide to writing policy briefs," OSF Preprints m25qp, Center for Open Science.
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    7. Robin Fears & Claudia Canales Holzeis & Volker ter Meulen, 2020. "Designing inter-regional engagement to inform cohesive policy making," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(1), pages 1-5, December.

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