Policy Communication: Writing, Engaging, and Shaping Decisions

Scholarly research has the potential to transform public policy only if the research is used by policymakers. The course takes up crucial questions about how research moves from academia into policymaking, including: how do American policymakers use research evidence in their day-to-day work? How can academic researchers increase the likelihood that their work is used by policymakers? What types of writing and engagement are most persuasive to policy audiences? The course endeavors to better understand how policymakers and practitioners use research evidence and how researchers can increase the likelihood that their own work can reach audiences outside of the academy. Throughout the course, students learn how to write, engage, and communicate scholarly research with diverse audiences outside of academia. Students gain subject-matter expertise in the study of how research evidence is used in policymaking. Each week, we examine debates from the use of research evidence field to hone our own knowledge and expertise. Guest lectures from scholars and policymakers give us a first-hand opportunity to learn and ask questions. Then, students write one work of scholarly translation for a policy audience: either a policy brief or a research-based op-ed. Although students pick just one to write for the final assignment, every student learns how to write both a policy brief and an op-ed. The in-person weekend provides an opportunity to workshop their ideas and drafts with their peers and the teaching team. The weekend culminates with an oral presentation of their policy contribution.