Credit: Antenna on Unsplash.

18 September 2025

By Rob Davies

In the world of academic research, producing groundbreaking studies is only half the battle. The other half (arguably the more challenging part) is ensuring your research actually influences policy and practice. At CLOSER, we’ve learned that knowledge mobilisation and policy impact is like an iceberg: what you see on the surface is just a fraction of what’s happening beneath.

The hidden work behind policy impact

When people think about research impact, they often focus on the visible outputs that help to communicate the data and findings: briefing notes, webinars, social media posts and evidence submissions. But the real work happens behind the scenes. It’s the horizon scanning to identify emerging policy priorities, the relationship building across the policy landscape, and the careful synthesis of evidence to meet specific evidence needs. This invisible foundation is what makes the visible impact, from the kinds of outputs listed above, possible.

The reality of policy influence

One of the biggest misconceptions researchers have is that scientific evidence speaks for itself. The truth is more complex. As a government official once said: “Most day-to-day policy work rests on the twin pillars of Google and asking people we know.” This reveals a fundamental challenge – if policymakers don’t know about your research or can’t find it easily, it’s less likely to have impact.

The policy landscape is extraordinarily complex, with multiple layers and actors across national, regional and local levels, and very different roles for delivery (governments) versus scrutiny (parliaments). Understanding this landscape is crucial for researchers who want to make a difference.

From evidence to action: real-world success stories

Take our knowledge mobilisation work on active travel as an example. Rather than simply publishing academic papers, we created a strategic package of engagement. We monitored policy developments across the UK, identified key policy audiences, crafted targeted messaging, and used multiple channels to reach decision makers. The result? Our evidence was cited by the Chief Medical Officer in his annual report, referenced by politicians in parliamentary debates, and influenced policy discussions across the UK.

Similarly, when the House of Lords launched an inquiry into food, diet, and obesity, we didn’t just submit written evidence – we strategically highlighted research findings that directly addressed the committee’s concerns and linked to live political discussions. Our evidence was cited in the committee’s final report, demonstrating how longitudinal population studies can inform policy on health inequalities.

Cutting through the noise

The challenge isn’t just about having good evidence – it’s about communication and dialogue. As one Member of Parliament bluntly stated: “I’m sick to death of getting briefings that are just full of academic jargon.” Policymakers are time-poor and need information that’s immediately digestible, accessible and actionable.

This is where narrative becomes critical. Effective policy communication isn’t just about facts and figures, it’s about storytelling – using symbols and imagery, providing human context, and appealing to emotions like fairness and the need for change. These elements help busy policymakers connect with your research on a human level.

The “Wedding Cake” approach

One of our most successful strategies is what we call the “Taste, Snack, Feast” or “Wedding Cake” approach. This creates multiple entry points into your research:

• Taste: Social media posts and infographics for quick consumption.
• Snack: Briefing notes and blogs for deeper engagement.
• Feast: Research papers and datasets for comprehensive analysis.

This multi-layered approach recognises that different audiences have different levels of interest, expertise and time availability. A Minister might only have time to glance at a social media post, while a civil servant might need the briefing note or research paper.

Practical steps for researchers

So how can researchers increase their policy impact? First, focus on visibility: make sure that you and your research are findable and accessible. Build relationships within policy circles, even if impact seems distant. Identify evidence needs by monitoring government priorities, Areas of Research Interest documents and parliamentary committee inquiries.

Adapt your language for policy audiences. Subtle adjustments can make a real difference, for example instead of saying “more research is needed” (what you say in your academic paper), frame it as “evidence gaps” (useful for someone in a ‘scrutiny’ role). Focus on findings and actionable recommendations rather than methodology. Remember, policymakers are more likely to engage with a blog, podcast or media article than an academic paper, particularly if that paper is behind a paywall.

These actionable suggestions align with advice and guidance arising from UCL Public Policy’s Knowledge Broker Academy programme. For further tips to enhance your policy engagement, please read 5 Top Tips for Academic-Policy Engagement.

The long game

Perhaps most importantly, be patient. Policy impact takes time. The research you publish today might not influence policy for years. But by consistently engaging with the policy landscape, building relationships and communicating effectively, you’re laying the groundwork for future impact.

The goal isn’t just to make research available, it’s to make it irresistible to policymakers. In a world where scientific research competes with politics, personalities and press coverage, those who master the art of knowledge mobilisation are the ones who truly change the world.

For more resources on policy engagement and how to effectively mobilise your research, visit the CLOSER Policy Hub.