From research to policy for sustainable development

Number of Credits: 3 HEC
Number of Participants: 17
Aim
The aim of this course is to enhance the participants' understanding of research-policy linkages and to increase their capabilities to communicate their research findings to different stakeholders, in order to create impact for sustainable development.

The aim is also to increase the awareness of how the political environment impacts on research, it's utilisation and applicability in policy work.

The course aims to increase the understanding for the importance of using target oriented communication and networking tools to support messages deliverance and the continuation of complex societal discussions.

Intended learning outcome
By the end of the course, the participants will be able to:

• describe universities' and researchers' role(s) in policy making processes
• present an overview of the policy landscape, research-policy linkages and different models for policy engagement, including use of social media, with focus on own research field
• perform a stakeholder mapping and analysis
• formulate and present a research-to-policy plan and policy brief/press release
• present scientific results and tentative policy recommendations aimed at a given target group

Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for this course you should be a PhD student or young researcher.
Participants should have completed or almost completed at least one scientific research paper.

Content
The course combines theoretical discussions, about factors facilitating or hampering utilization of research findings in policy making processes, with practical exercises.

Course themes included are:

• Research and Policy Linkages: what can we learn from history?
• The role of research and researchers: motivation to engage?
• Understanding the policy landscape
• Models and strategies for policy engagement
• Tools for engagement: science communication in practice

Running schedule
The course will be concentrated to two 3-days sessions, time 9.00-16.00. Participants are expected to work individually before, and between sessions with short assignments. A mix of lectures, student presentations, literature seminars and assignments will be included.

Guest lectures share their practical experiences from research-policy interaction in the course. The participants will link issues presented during course to their own research work and to the reality in different countries.

Knowledge sharing and sharing of experiences are important elements of the course.
Practical assignments to be performed are:
1. Write a “research to policy plan” based on own research material. This includes a mapping of potential stakeholders and a plan for when and how to communicate with different stakeholders
2. Write a policy brief or press release based on one of the chapters in the dissertation
3. Make an oral presentation of your research findings

Course leader and examiner 
Daniel Slunge (course leader), Anders Ekbom and several guest lectures.
Catharina Hiort - examiner.

Language
English

Literature
Articles, textbook chapters, policy reports/briefs, press releases, webpages etc. will be made available before the start of the course.

Main text book is: Baron, Nancy. 2010. Escape from the lvory Tower: A Guide to Making Your Science Matter. Island Press

Assessment
To pass the course the following must be fulfilled:

• Participation in at least 80% of the scheduled hours
• Active engagement in practically oriented exercises
• Approved research - policy plan linked to the PhD-students' thesis work
• Approved policy brief based on own research result

Examination in the enrolled courses can be acquired within one year from the start. After the expiration date no missing assignments can be admitted and a participant should re-apply to another course occasion.

⋆⋆⋆

Stand-by list means that the course is fully booked but you may be offered a seat if one becomes available. In this case a notification will be sent to you.

Cancellation of participation in the GTS courses should be done as soon as possible and one week before start at the latest  via the link in the confirmation email. In case of cancellation less then 7 days before start, send email to genericskills@chalmers.se. Starting Autumn term 2018, late cancellations (less then 7 days) and no-showing up to the  course will be fined.