Examples of policy engagement

Here, we describe how some colleagues at UCD have connected with different policy actors.

These examples are not nearly exhaustive. There are as many ways of engaging with policy as there are of conducting research. Your own journey may share some features with the examples below, but it will be unique to you, your research, and challenge you're helping address.

In our Policy-Engagement Journeys, UCD researchers share, in their own words, the process of building relationships with policymakers. Why did they embark on this journey? How are they navigating the complex world of policy? How did they choose who to reach out to? Our Research Impact Case Studies describe the policy impact that might arise in the longer-term from making such connections.

But remember, contributing to policymaking is a slow, incremental process. No one's expecting you to change the world overnight. All you need to do is take a small step into the policy arena and go from there. And it's easier to start than you might think.