1. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk It’s Policy, Stupid oKen Guy oWise Guys Ltd. oFP6 Priorities 7 and 8 oFirst Call Kick-off Meeting oCentre Borschette oBrussels o11-12 November 2004

2. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Introduction oPersonal involvement in two policy review exercises oTSER oIHP oCurrent importance attached to the relationship between socio-economic research and policy formulation oSearch for ways of enhancing the impact of research on policy

3. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Report Structures oLessons from an expert oThe deficiencies of TSER reports oA function of the way Framework projects are conceived and implemented? oOr of the status of final reports and the kudos associated with them? oThe net result was that many reports were not coherent, lacked a synthetic edge and consequently punched below their weight

4. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Impact oPoorly crafted reports complicate the lives of policy reviewers! oBut also devalue the effort put into the research oDissemination of important project results can occur via many other routes, e.g. publications in academic journals oBut often these fail to land on policymakers’ desks oWhereas project reports, executive summaries (and even policy reviews) do

5. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Improving Structures and Impacts oThink dissemination from the start and build this into the project plan oIdentify target audiences oConsider best ways of connecting with these in terms of processes, outputs and timing oMake sure there is time and space in the project plan for synthesis and integration as well as for research and dissemination oBy all means approach the task of synthesis collectively, but let one hand hold the pen for longer than the others

6. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Improving Structures and Impacts oWhen contemplating research plans, report structures and the synthesis of project results, think in terms of a ‘research themes’ and ‘policy issues’ matrix Policy Issues Research Themes Policy Issues Research Themes Policy Issues Research Themes

7. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Improving Structures and Impacts oWhen writing Executive Summaries, think in terms of simple structures oIntroduction (aim, scope and methodology) oContext (main research themes and relevant policy issues) oResearch Results (key achievements and main scientific findings) oPolicy Implications (including recommendations) oFuture Research Needs

8. www.wiseguys.ltd.uk Improving Structures and Impacts oWrite Executive Summaries for the intelligent layperson oTake advice on how to influence policymakers and be tolerant of criticism when it is offered in a constructive spirit oRemember that greater impact is in everybody’s interest in a world in which policymaking is increasingly evidence-based oi.e. “It’s Policy, Stupid”