How Research–Policy Partnerships Can Benefit Government: A Win–Win for Evidence-Based Policy-Making

Abstract

Quel est l'attrait de l'élaboration de politiques basée sur des données probantes pour les responsables politiques ? En quoi, pour ces responsables, le fait de subir des influences au cours du processus de prise de décisions -ce qui les conduit à prendre des décisions différentes de celles qu'ils auraient prises autrement -présente-il un attrait pour eux ? Dans cet article, l'auteur soutient que l'établissement de partenariats entre des organismes de recherche et des organisations gouvernementales offre sept avantages à court terme pour les responsables politiques, indépendamment du fait que cela peut influencer leurs décisions. Ces sept avantages possibles peuvent inciter les responsables politiques à établir des partenariats, qui peuvent ensuite, à plus long terme, se transformer en véritable outil capable ayant une influence sur l'élaboration de politiques. Cet article est donc de façon générale un plaidoyer en faveur de l'élaboration politiques basée sur des données probantes, et plus particulièrement en faveur de partenariats chercheurs/ responsables politiques, qui s'adresse à la fois aux chercheurs et aux responsables gouvernementaux.Mots clés : processus d'élaboration de politiques, élaboration de politiques basée sur des données probantes, partenariats chercheurs/responsables politiques, avantages à court terme What is the appeal of evidence-based policy-making to policy-makers themselves? What is the appeal of being influenced to make decisions they would not otherwise make? In this article, I argue that forging partnerships between research organizations and policy agencies can result in seven short-term benefits for the latter, independent of decision influence. These potential benefits are a more intuitive initial basis for partnership, and genuine influences on policy-making may still emerge over the long term. Overall, this article serves as a general argument in favour of evidence-informed policy, and research-policy partnerships in particular, directed at both academic and government audiences.

Evidence-Based Policies in Uruguay Are Successful for Tackling COVID-19

“…Some pioneer literature and more recent papers have addressed this issue (Weiss, 1979;Nutley et al, 2007;Jones, 2009), which has nowadays enormous implications. A series of long-term benefits for both scientists and policymakers become evident when strong research-policy partnerships are built (Richards, 2017). In a recent systematic review using nearly 400 different reports, four contrasting perspectives where classified according to EBP (French, 2019).…”

Evidence-based policymaking and the wicked problem of SDG 5 Gender Equality

“…13 Insight #3: Good evidence is often trumped by politics While EBP scholars stress the role played by good evidence, they also recognize that exogenous and endogenous factors other than evidence are regularly -and legitimately -involved in policymaking. Examples include the experience, expertise, and judgment of policymakers; the constraints of finite resources; the importance of values such as ideology and political beliefs and the role of habit and tradition; the power exerted by lobbyists, pressure groups, and consultants; and, more generally, the pragmatics and contingencies of political life (Davies, 2004;Head, 2010;De Marchi, Lucertini, & Tsoukiàs, 2016;Richards, 2017;Saltelli & Giampietro, 2017).…”

“…Outside events, such as pressing but unqualified threats, can also cause policymakers to ''throw caution to the wind'', ignore evidence, and make quick, precautionary decisions (Monaghan, Pawson, & Wicker, 2012). Arguing that evidence should prevail over pragmatism is difficult for politicians where politics and budget constraints are likely to be more important than evidence in driving policymaking (Richards, 2017).…”

“…Partnerships between government policymakers and their stakeholders can offer benefits, such as access to resources, capacity and coalition building, more policy relevant research, and linkages with stakeholders (Richards, 2017). EBP is more likely to be successful when the ''actors in the evidence-topolicy ecosystem…..have regular opportunities to connect with each other, develop relationships of mutual trust and respect, and exchange ideas and learning'' (Hewlett Foundation, 2018: 8).…”

Rigorous Policy-Making Amid COVID-19 and Beyond: Literature Review and Critical Insights

“…Evidence-based policy making can be understood as the law-making process that is guided by and developed on the basis of evidence [ 41 ]. A rich body of evidence suggests that evidence-based policy making can provide considerable benefits to society at large [ 42 ]. However, it is important to note that evidence-based policy making is not without flaws [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], many of which have either been highlighted or magnified amid the pandemic [ 47 , 48 ].…”