Communicating Science for Policy Influence

1. Communicating Science for Policy Influence OFAB Kenya Chapter Science Communication Training Workshop September 17th - 18th 2012 LukenyaGateway David Wafula

2. Focus of the presentation Why communicate science for policy influence The importance of reaching out to policy makers Tips for effective outreach Outreach mechanisms- (strategies and tools) Writing policy briefs Challenges associated with engaging policy makers Measuring impact

3. Why communicate science for policy influence? • Research, written in a reports only does not lead to positive action or outcomes. • We communicate to achieve results, to bring about a change • What changes can happen if you communicate • (your research) well? • A change in policy • A change in thinking among decision makers • Bring on board other actors who can affect policy (media etc)

4. Who are policy makers ? • Persons whose decisions and opinions have significant influence or impact on national policies, laws and regulations • Policy makers make decisions that impact on the society Directors in ministries, R &D institutions and Regulatory agencies Parliamentarians PS Ministers Senators Governors

6. The importance of reaching out to policy makers Meeting the challenges of the 21st century and responding effectively to strategies such as MDGs, Vision 2030and national level strategies- requires fostering interaction between scientists and politicians and increasing the influence of scientific evidence on public policy Scientists and politicians work at different paces. The scientist tackles a problem over many years, the politician must make decisions every day. Scientists and politicians should have ‘a symbiotic relationship’ While the interdependency is crucial a huge communications gap between the political and scientific communities exists

7. Biotechnology R & D Trajectory Supporting technology development and deployment to ensure that beneficial innovations reach farmers

8. Agricultural value chain –needs enabling policy environment Consumption Retailing Trading Processing Trading Transport Post-harvest handling Production Input Supply

9. Tips for effective outreach to policy makers -1 Politicians or senior policymakers are always busy and in some cases few have scientific backgrounds Yet they must frequently make vital policy decisions on S&T that impact on the society Be accurate and always present the evidence/facts in a concise and precise manner. Explain why the issue is relevant to them and why it is important (speak in terms of benefits and advantages ) Describe the urgency of the situation

10. Tips for effective outreach to policy makers -2 Science alone is not enough-focus on the impacts of technologies on people and glaring challenges such as climate change, nutrition and food security. Policy makers are constantly overwhelmed with information. Do not write about a subject because it is new and exciting-it must have some relevance for them (e.g funding decisions to be made or relevant policies or legislation to be passed) Provide timescales whenever talking about future developments (politicians interested in something that might happen during their term)

11. Effective ways of communication and outreach

12. Where do policy-makers get information Ranked in importance (in Kenya) • Mass media – electronic & print (radio highly effective) 2. Special groups – NGOsand civil society 3. Special media – policy briefs, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters 4. Websites and social media becoming popular

13. Seminars and oral briefings • Seminars and oral briefings- interactive and good in stimulating dialogue between the stakeholders & obtaining quick feedback • Breakfast meetings and sessions with targeted groups e.g select parliamentary committees or sectoral institutions (ASCU) • Use existing platforms such as OFAB • Venue- should be held in locations convenient for politicians and senior policy makers • Parliament • Convenient hotels • Ample notice through relevant channels & effective mobilization strategy

14. Workshop for Parliamentarians on the Biosafety Bill

17. Tour of modern biotechnology facilities at the KARI Biotechnology Centre

19. Written reports & briefing papers • Formats- fact sheets, message maps, policy briefs, posters, pamplets and newsletters • Good for quick and detailed reference and less likely to be misquoted than oral presentations • BUT offer fewer opportunities for interaction and dialogue • Distribution list- consider targeting individuals with a specific interest in the subject

20. POLICY BRIEFS A policy brief-is a targeted and focused tool for presenting information in a short- well designed and well-written format that decision makers can read and absorb quickly. A vehicle for providing policy advice An effective tool for scientists to use in communicating research findings to policy makers

21. Who Are Your Readers? • Who am I writing this brief for? • How knowledgeable are they about the topic? • What questions need answers? • What are their interests, concerns • What value does this have for them?

22. Writing a policy brief that serves the intended purpose Focused and punchy writing-the key points should be expressed well enough to be grasped easily and quickly-the “breakfast test” Focused on a single topic -the focus of the brief should be limited to a particular problem, concern or subject Style- avoid dry and technical language- can make the reader rapidly ‘switch off’ (simple and clear language) It should be brief-not be more than 3, 000 words Structure-ensure that the first page has something to grab a reader’s attention (logos, statistics, photos, quotes) Start and end- with a well-written summary re-emphasizing the importance of action-this may be that a busy decision maker has time or inclination to read

23. Writing a policy brief that serves the intended purpose 2 Be persuasive and convincing- use ideas, evidence and language that will convince the decision maker (benefits and advantages) Avoid using general terms like ‘large’ or ‘majority’ Accurate and evidence based -use information from reliable sources (may be used in a political debate or decision-making) Headings-use plenty of catchy headings. These guide the reader through the text and help them to spot main points at a glance Use graphs to illustrate facts & figures to support your views)

24. A policy brief that serves the intended purpose • Peer review-send your brief to colleagues or experts in the subject matter. It is a good way of checking accuracy. • Build a clear and coherent link to the conclusions, implications and recommendations – articulating the preferred policy option or action • Need to have concrete conclusion • Implications are what could happen • Recommendationsare what should happen-state precisely next steps • Ensure they are relevant, credible and feasible

25. Biotechnology Projects (cotton , maize, vaccines, GM mosquito ) • What are the objectives of the project? • Who are the partners? • How will the new innovations be developed? • Are the innovations safe? • What will be cost of the new technologies ? • When will the technologies be available ? • What will be the IPR implications ? FAQs- Provide answers to FAQs

26. How science communication can impact on policy regimes • Modifying existing programs or policies • Helping create a new policy regime in an emerging field • Policy making characterized by competiting interests in terms of priorities and funding- interaction with policy makers can help advance S & T interests and facilitate accomplishment of target goals

27. Measuring impact - effectiveness of Outreach to policy-makers • Analysis of media statements from policy-makers (positive/negative/neutral?) • Number of policy-makers participating in biotech & bioscience (events – official representation • Number of relevant policies and laws passed or amended • Number of relevant regulations developed and gazetted • No of products or processes commercialized (an indication of enabling environment ) • Reports on parliamentary debates

28. Challenges of engaging policy makers • Engaging policy makers has to be a continuous process to deal with dynamism • Frequent changes in the government (reshuffles)- slows down/delays progress • Financial implications are hefty • Conflicting/contradictory media reports can leave policy makers confused and indecisive

29. Recommendations & take home messages • Scientists should be proactive in penetrating political circles and effectively guide the policy making process • Scientists should incorporate communication activities targeting policy makers into the project- guided by critical milestones and appropriate timing • Public outreach- reaching out to the public is very important to support demands of scientists. Policies are intended for the public and politicians are more obligated to hear the demands of a large population

30. Thank you