New mechanisms for policy engagement
Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter
The GW4 universities were researching the feasibility of a new service – the Evidence Information Service – to provide parliaments and governments with a single gateway to a network of academic research expertise. They required consultancy to construct a framework of a prototype ‘matchmaking’ service and carry out extensive stakeholder mapping and business planning to determine its long-term viability and value.
Our approach
Researched the academia-policy landscape to map existing mechanisms that were bridging the gap between researchers and policymakers.
Conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with parliamentary research services and committees in England and Wales, ‘knowledge broker’ services and experienced policy professionals.
Explored a range of business and operational models and assessed their strengths and limitations.
Produced a detailed internal report with recommendations on how to proceed.
Our impact
The final report highlighted key challenges facing the type of service that was originally envisioned and the level of resource required for it to be effective.
Key recommendations for an alternative approach – including to lead a sector-wide call for a National Centre for Universities and Public Policy – were taken forward in a subsequent GW4 report on improving academic-policy engagement.
A year after the GW4 report, Research England announced a new £3.9m multi-institution initiative to drive academic-policy engagement; while not directly associated with the GW4 report, it included the creation of a virtual Centre for Universities and Public Policy.
