Policy impact resources

The following provides an up-to-date library of resources on impacting policy including policymaking in a broader sense e.g. advocacy and advocacy coalitions.

Who is this resource for?

Social scientists (particularly targeting early career researchers but could also act as a refresher for more experienced researchers)

What does it contain?

Signposting resources that include ‘top tips’ to help researchers translate/mobilise their research to generate impact when targeting/influencing policymakers. The library of resources includes the most up-to-date how-to guides, websites of interest, publications and articles. The below also contains additional resources and guides on different routes to influence including central and local governments.

Name of resource/publication	Author/Date of publication	Short description
Impacting policymakers
Communicating evidence to policy makers – what works best? (PDF, 600 KB)	Caroline Wood 2024	This CIPR-commissioned report examines how different central and local government decision makers seek out resources, and what they value the most.
Engaging with Evidence webinar series	Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford	A series of webinars on better policymaking, as well as a hub for peer learning on key topics related to evidence-based policymaking.
Engaging with evidence toolkit	Created by NESTA in partnership with the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement and the Chief Scientific Adviser's Office at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)	Providing practical guidance on how to effectively engage with evidence in decision-making processes.
How to engage with policymakers: A guide for academics in the arts and humanities (PDF, 379 KB)	Institute For Government 2020	Tailored guidance for arts and humanities researchers on engaging with Government and parliamentary bodies at all levels.
Politics and Public Policy	Paul Cairney	Several blogs on creating impact with policymakers including how to write policy briefs to sharing good practice.
Perspectives on academic impact and expert advice to policymakers	Paul Cairney 2021	A useful insight into the dynamics of academic impact and practical advice for academics seeking to engage with policymakers.
Practical considerations for communicating evidence to policy makers: Identifying best practices for conveying research findings	Institute of Development Studies 2017	Tips on understanding context and deciding when to approach policymakers to align with their timeline.
Policy entrepreneur: Self-assessment questionnaire for researchers	Overseas Development Institute	A self-assessment questionnaire identifying four types of policy entrepreneur - storytellers, networkers, engineers and fixers.
REF impact case studies	Research Excellence Framework 2024	A database of impact case studies produced by Higher Education institutions outlining the changes and benefits of research.
The global guide to research impact	Research to Action	Valuable resources and insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to enhance the impact of research.
The dos and don’ts of influencing policy: a systematic review of advice to academics	Paul Cairney 2019	A helpful systematic review of 86 ‘how to’ academic and grey literature offering advice to academics or policymakers on how to engage better with each other.
Three habits of successful policy entrepreneurs	Paul Cairney 2018	A helpful strategy to become an effective policy entrepreneur, from the art of compelling storytelling to how to adjust your approach to fit each unique situation.
10 things to know about how to influence policy with research	Overseas Development Institute 2024	A simple checklist of things researchers need to consider when engaging with policymakers.
Winners and losers: communicating the potential impacts of policies	Cameron Brick et al. 2018	A review of effective communication particularly in complex situations where there are multiple potential outcomes or large uncertainties.
Impacting international organisations
Engaging with the United Nations and Intergovernmental Organisations	UCL public policy 2022	An introductory guide on policymaking at the UN-level including information, advice and guidance on the different forms of engagement.
Getting your research into the European Parliament	Taylor & Francis	An online guide exploring different routes to the European Parliament as well as how to engage with European Commission proposals.
Working with international organisations	The University of Oxford	Guidance on engaging with supranational institutions including questions to consider for researchers and useful weblinks to key international agencies.
Impacting the UK Parliament and Government
The Role of Research in the UK Parliament (PDF, 2.8 MB)	Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and University College London 2017	Report examining how MPs, Peers and staff use research in Parliament.
Engaging with UK Parliament: A guide for academics	Bennett Institute for Public Policy: University of Cambridge 2021	A short guide outlining all the different routes to engage with Parliament, principally aimed at engineering and science researchers.
Online training for researchers	UK Parliament	A library of free online webinars to help researchers understand Parliament and its processes including devolved legislatures.
Policy Hub	CLOSER (Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources)	An online library of resources for researchers who want to engage with the government including formal consultations.
Ways to engage with Parliament	UK Parliament	A dedicated resource for researchers outlining the different ways they could approach and work with Parliament.
Impacting UK local government
Engaging with Local Government: A guide for Academics	Bennett Institute for Public Policy: University of Cambridge 2021	Exploring the different routes and pathways for academics to engage with local government policy in England.
Guide to local government	Martin Stanley	Useful online guide about the structure and working practices of local government in England.
Impacting the voluntary sector and social movements
Collaboration between academic and voluntary organisation	EDIT lab blog, King’s College London 2021	A brief highlight of some of the benefits and challenges of working with the voluntary sector.
Co-producing knowledge with social movements: A critical perspective	London School of Economics	A blog post exploring the concept of co-producing knowledge with social movements.