Building networks and relationships with policy makers

Building networks and relationships is also important as neither research nor policymaking are linear processes. While you might have completed research to share as evidence, it is likely that you will want to share findings, evidence or ideas at various stages of your research process and at various stages of the policy crafting process. Engaging with policymaking can be an iterative, ongoing process. Having a good network can help to support that. It can help you develop as a policy shaper now and in the future.

Many of you use social media, such as Twitter or Facebook, professionally already. As an initial step, this is one tool that can be used to promote research or to highlight work beyond your academic networks, to policymakers, as well as to build your profile as part of a policymaking community, and to develop networks. However, to really bring about change through policy it may be necessary to identify and establish work with other stakeholders who are interested in addressing and solving the same problems as you. This is likely to involve more in-depth and longer term engagements, such as workshops and projects, to establish shared objectives and policy-influencing activities.