131895 - An introduction to achieving policy impact for early career researchers.pdf (691.6 kB)
An introduction to achieving policy impact for early career researchers
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 02:43 authored by Evans, MC, Cvitanovic, CScientists are increasingly required to demonstrate the real world tangible impacts arising from their research. Despite significant advances in scholarship dedicated to understanding and improving the relationships between science, policy and practice, much of the existing literature remains high level, theoretical, and not immediately accessible to early career researchers (ECRs) who work outside of the policy sciences. In this paper, we draw on the literature and our own experiences working in the environmental sciences to provide an accessible resource for ECRs seeking to achieve policy impact in their chosen field. First, we describe key concepts in public policy to provide sufficient background for the non-expert. Next, we articulate a number of practical steps and tools that can help ECRs to identify and enhance the policy relevance of their research, better understand the policy world in practice and identify a range of pathways to achieving impact. Finally, we draw on our personal experiences to highlight some of the key individual characteristics and values that are needed to operate more effectively at the interface of science, policy and practice. Our hope is that the information and tools provided here can help to empower ECRs to create their own pathways to impact that best suit their individual goals, circumstances, interests and strengths.
History
Publication title
Palgrave CommunicationsVolume
4Article number
88Number
88Pagination
1-12ISSN
2055-1045Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.Place of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright 2018 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Repository Status
- Open