Translating scientific research evidence into actionable public policy plays a key role in evidence-informed policy making, building trust between scientists and policymakers as well as in developing scientific solutions that are applicable to the real-world.

Cognisant of this need, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) hosted the inaugural policy brief writing retreat from 10 to 11 September 2024 in Pretoria. The retreat was aimed at training emerging scholars on best practices in conceptualising and developing policy briefs for the public sector. The pioneering retreat occurred just months after the launch of the DSI-NRF Policy Placement Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between research and public policymaking, thus addressing societal challenges through evidence-based approaches.

As part of the training, Dr Konosoang Sobane, the Chief Research Specialist at the HSRC, traversed topics including the anatomy of the policy brief as an evidence synthesis document (emphasis on evidence synthesis), the structure and content of policy briefing, the value of aligning the policy briefs with current policy issues, debates, etc., and how to reach policymakers. The HSRC communications unit led by Dr Lucky Ditaunyane highlighted the complexities of the policy making process and the importance of using various platforms to communicate science including networking, policy briefs, audio-visual repackaging and translation to increase uptake.

Delivering the opening remarks, Dr Sibusiso Manzini, Chief Director at the DSI commended the drive to channel young scholars into policy writing. He noted the increasing need for the science experts to contribute to evidence based policy making. “A big part of the role of government in society constitutes policy development. He noted that “The need for competent policy analysts will always be there. When it comes to science, technology and innovation (STI) policy, there’s a pressing need to diversify opinions in our country. It is not an exaggeration to say that the pool of STI policy contributors in this country is so small in such a way that you can count all of them in your hands. This does not serve the interests of quality policy design, nor the imperatives of transformation and inclusivity that we promote in the STI White Paper and Decadal Plan.”

Dr Sepo Hachigonta, Acting Executive Director: Business Advancement at the NRF, stressed that the public needed to get a sense of positive returns to funds allocated to science and academia. He challenged academics to convey their research more to the public and policymakers. Dr Hachigonta said scholars should start asking themselves questions such as, “Are we communicating more in terms of what we’re doing within the science and innovation landscape? Are we communicating the right things? Are we involved in policy development? Are we involved within the policy spaces within the national system?”

Dr Hachigonta noted that policy briefs are tools that scholars can use to influence policymaking. “Your goal should not just be academic publication, but how do you ensure that the science lands on somebody’s desk  for use as evidence to inform formulation of policies or practices, whether it’s, national policies or institutional policies within the science, technology and innovation landscape,” he added.

The event is one of the many planned between the NRF and HSRC to increase value additionality and impact of science in the policy sector and broader society.

This piece first appeared on the NRF website.

Watch the video below to hear from partners and participants: