Crucible

Policy Engagement

Crucible

Policy Engagement - Objectives

• To demonstrate that your research can have a wider policy impact

• To give an insight into how the UK science/policy interface operates

• To stimulate some ideas of how you may become involved in helping shape future policy and evidence-based policy

with thanks to

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Some policies that affect the way that researchers work•Health and Safety regulations

•Legislation regulating experiments with animals

•Developing new social policy research - Autism Act 2009

•Policy for public health

•International Treaty on Chemical and Biological Warfare

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Giving effect to policy - the roles

•Local GovernmentCreates policy at a local level

•GovernmentDevises and develops policy

•ParliamentGives effect to policy through legislation

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Groups established to address specialist interests•House of Commons Select Committee (now Innovation, Science and Skills) and Lords Science and Technology Select Committees, Home Office Committees, Social Policy Committee

•All Party Parliamentary Groups

•Social Policy Committee and Scientific Committee comprised of MPs, Peers and non-Parliamentarians

•Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (non-partisan) (POST)

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Opportunities to engage

BallotTen Minute

Rule

Private Members Bill

Presentation

Publication

House of Commons

First Reading

Second Reading

Committee Stage

Third Reading

Report Stage

House of Lords

Third Reading

First Reading

Second Reading

Committee Stage

Royal Assent

Actof

Parliament

Parliament

Early Day Motions

Select Committee

Reports

DEBATES

Report Stage

The Parliamentary stages

= points where input into policy can be made

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Engaging with policy

• Be aware of how your own research has a context in local, regional and national policy

• Work with your local MP - Early day motions, Private Members Bills, etc.

• Become involved in the policy work of your learned society or trade association

• Provide input into reports, consultations and calls for evidence

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Engaging with Policy

• Does it work? Can the scientist be influential on policy and lawmaking?

• Some examples of a positive effect:• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008

• Children and Adoption Act 2006

• Health Act 2006

• But, Parliament and Government must balance views from different directions and with different agendas in formulating policy

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Engaging with policy

1. How do you work with academics to influence policy?

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Engaging with policy

2. What are the different ways that academics communicate with policymakers?

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Engaging with policy

3. How do policymakers use the information provided by academics?

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Engaging with policy

4. At what level should academic input be pitched for policymakers?

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Engaging with policy

5. Why do you think it is important to get engaged with policymakers?

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Engaging with policy

6. What advice would you give academics in how to engage with policymakers?

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Engaging with policy

7. Can you give an example of academic research impacting upon policy?

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Engaging with policy

What next for your research and policy?