Thread by @EU_ScienceHub

✅Are you a scientist?
✅Do you want to actively participate in policymaking with your scientific evidence?

Then our new #Science4Policy Handbook is for you 👉 sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

Get a sneak peek ⬇️

#Science4Policy
(1/12)

Understand policymaking first.

What are the policy priorities?
How are decisions made?
Who are the key actors?

Put yourself in the policymaker’s shoes, empathising with their responsibility for decisions that carry real weight.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(2/12)

Discuss and define relevant questions together with #policymakers and stakeholders.

Remain sceptical, but not cynical: challenge their questions and assumptions.
Do not hesitate to reframe the problems.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(3/12)

Think about the policy impact of your research early, already when you design projects.

Who from policy, civil society or industry would be interested in your results?

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(4/12)

Improving the use of scientific evidence in a conscious and systematic manner is not an individual task but a collective effort.

This includes #policymakers but also your colleagues, networks, and organisations in #research.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(5/12)

Trust is vital and it is only possible if science and policy work closely together.

But don’t compromise your scientific integrity just to get the political message right.
Be prepared to speak inconvenient truths!

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(6/12)

Networking (online/offline) beyond scientific circles helps you gain visibility & start to establish your trustworthiness in policy circles.
Speak at policy events - use what you learn to fine-tune your work & make it more pertinent

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…
#Science4Policy
(7/12)

Communicating to #policymakers requires different approaches than to #scientists.

Being able to tell a captivating story – that you can back up with facts – is sometimes more convincing than additional facts themselves.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(8/12)

Policymakers may prefer a concise, cross-disciplinary synthesis of the existing knowledge, instead of the latest piece of research.

Findings from a decade ago may bring more impact if still valid & relevant for a current problem.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(9/12)

Often your background as well as professional & personal values influence your choices that guide your research.
Be aware & open about how your background shapes your evidence.
Encourage diverse expertise in the policymaking ‘room’

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…
#Science4Policy
(10/12)

Avoid the temptation to smooth uncertainties and disagreements to give policymakers an allegedly clearer message.

Once a policymaker has acted on over optimistic scientific advice and failed, it is difficult to rebuild the trust.

sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…

#Science4Policy
(11/12)

Policymaking is complex & scientific input is only one part of the equation.

Achieving real impact takes time. Sometimes you won't see it even if it does exist. Try your best & learn from the process

Find out more on our #Science4Policy Handbook: sciencedirect.com/book/978012822…
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