Policy Engagement

Bridging the evidence‑policy gap

We act as a bridge, translating complex research into clear, actionable recommendations that policymakers can use. We work at all levels — from national ministries to county governments — to ensure that decisions are grounded in the best available evidence.

• Co‑creating policy briefs and evidence summaries
• Facilitating policy dialogues and roundtables
• Providing technical assistance and advisory services

A partnership, not a transaction

We build long‑term relationships with policymakers, understanding their needs, timelines, and constraints. We engage early and often, ensuring that evidence is available when it matters most — during policy formulation, not after decisions are made.

• Embedded policy fellowships and secondments
• Regular policy advisory meetings
• Rapid evidence response for urgent policy questions

Better health outcomes

Evidence‑informed policies lead to interventions that actually work, reducing preventable deaths, disease burden, and health inequalities.

Efficient use of resources

Policy decisions based on evidence avoid wasteful spending on ineffective programmes, ensuring that limited resources are directed where they have the greatest impact.

Accountability and transparency

Evidence‑based policies are more transparent and defensible, building public trust and holding decision‑makers accountable for results.

🔎 1. Identify & Prioritise

We work with policymakers to identify the most pressing policy questions and priorities. We scan the policy landscape, understand decision‑making timelines, and select areas where evidence can make the biggest difference.

• Policy landscape analysis
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement
• Priority setting workshops

📊 2. Synthesise Evidence

We systematically gather, appraise, and synthesise relevant research evidence, including local studies, global reviews, and contextual data. We identify what is known, what is not, and what is actionable.

• Systematic reviews and evidence maps
• Rapid evidence assessments
• Cost‑effectiveness and feasibility analyses

🤝 3. Engage & Co‑create

We bring together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and community representatives to co‑interpret evidence and co‑create policy options. This fosters ownership and ensures solutions are practical and politically feasible.

• Policy dialogues and roundtables
• Co‑creation of policy briefs and recommendations
• Technical working groups

📢 4. Translate & Disseminate

We translate complex evidence into clear, concise, and compelling formats tailored to different audiences — from one‑page policy briefs to interactive data dashboards, presentations, and media engagements.

• Policy briefs, infographics, and summaries
• Data visualisation and dashboards
• Media and communication strategies

📈 5. Monitor & Evaluate

We track the uptake and impact of our policy engagement efforts. We assess whether evidence has influenced decisions, and we learn from both successes and failures to improve future engagement.

• Policy influence tracking
• Process and outcome evaluations
• Learning and adaptation cycles

Policy briefs

Concise, user‑friendly summaries of evidence and policy options. We tailor them to the specific needs of different policy audiences, using clear language and compelling visuals.

Policy dialogues

Structured, facilitated meetings where researchers and policymakers discuss evidence and co‑create solutions. We design these to be safe, productive spaces for candid exchange.

Data dashboards

Interactive visualisation tools that allow policymakers to explore data, track trends, and monitor progress. We co‑design these with users to ensure they are intuitive and actionable.

Policy fellowships

We place researchers within government ministries and agencies to work alongside policymakers, building trust, understanding, and long‑term relationships.

Media and communication

We use print, digital, and broadcast media to amplify evidence and advocate for evidence‑informed policy. We work with journalists to ensure accurate, balanced reporting.

Rapid evidence services

We provide timely, customised evidence summaries in response to urgent policy requests — often within days or hours, not weeks.