Description

This text explores the significance of collaborative efforts between academic institutions and state agencies in the context of diploma theses (bachelor, master, and doctoral) solved by students. By fostering partnerships between students, faculty, and policymakers, we can enhance the relevance and impact of academic research, better inform public policy, and cultivate a new generation of scholars equipped to address real-world challenges.

Such collaborations offer a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that academic research is directly relevant to the needs of society. By working together, students, faculty, and policymakers can identify pressing issues, gather the necessary data, and develop evidence-based solutions that can be implemented at the local, regional, or national level.

The key features in a nutshell

Objectives-Academic theses solved in cooperation with the public sector seeks:

• To bridge the gap between theory and practice: By aligning academic research with the needs of the public sector, we can ensure that research findings are directly applicable to real-world problems.
• To enhance the quality and relevance of diploma theses: By providing students with access to real-world data, expertise, and mentorship from policymakers, we can help them produce more impactful and relevant research.
• To foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange: By encouraging partnerships between academia and government, we can create a more interconnected and innovative research ecosystem. This can lead to the long-term and fruitful cooperation, beneficial for all partners.
• To inform public policy with evidence-based research and analysis: By providing policymakers with access to high-quality research, we can help them make informed decisions that are based on evidence rather than intuition or ideology.

How does the format work?

Diploma theses undertaken within this collaborative framework are jointly supervised by a faculty member and a relevant government official or policymaker. This shared oversight ensures that the research aligns with both academic standards and the practical needs of the public sector. The research topic is collaboratively selected, considering the interests of all parties involved.

For the student, the topic must be clear, attractive, and interesting. For the faculty member, the topic must fall within their expertise and meet academic standards, including a sufficient level of scientific rigor. For the policymaker, the topic must be practical and implementable. A common issue to avoid is mismatched expectations, where the academic supervisor directs the work towards a highly academic direction, while the policymaker’s perspective is often too rigid (adhering strictly to legislation and established practices), thus limiting the space for innovation.

By working closely with policymakers, students gain invaluable insights into the complexities of the policymaking process. They learn how to communicate their research findings effectively to non-academic audiences and understand the challenges and constraints faced by policymakers. This hands-on experience equips students with the skills necessary to become future leaders in both academia and the public sector.

Key phases in addressing the thesis:

• A precise discussion of the thesis title and content before commencing work.
• An early in-person meeting of all parties involved to establish personal contact.
• Presentation of each party’s vision for the thesis content.
• Acquisition of necessary data and cooperation with public administration in its correct interpretation prior to thesis completion.
• Regular meetings and updates on the progress of the work.
• Presentation of the thesis findings to relevant public administration experts (in-depth knowledge of the subject matter often helps students identify inaccurate or incorrect interpretations of the results).
• Presentation of the final results of the thesis not only to an academic audience but also to a broader group of public administration experts (mayor, councilors, director, representatives, etc.).
• Submission (presentation) of the thesis to other relevant policymakers.

Benefits for Participants

• Students:
  • Gain practical experience by working on real-world problems.
  • Develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.
  • Contribute to meaningful research that can inform public policy.
  • Network with policymakers and other professionals in the field.
  • Enhance their career prospects by demonstrating their ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges.
• Teachers:
  • Expand their research networks and collaborations.
  • Stay updated on current policy issues and trends.
  • Enhance the relevance of their teaching by incorporating real-world examples and case studies.
  • Contribute to the development of the next generation of policy analysts and researchers.
• Public Sector (policymakers, officials, agencies):
  • Benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative ideas generated by students and faculty.
  • Gain access to high-quality research that can inform policy decisions.
  • Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
  • Strengthen relationships with academic institutions and foster a culture of collaboration.

Collaboration with Policymakers

Policymakers play a crucial role in the collaborative process, providing guidance, feedback, and access to relevant data. They work closely with students and faculty throughout the research process, ensuring that the research is aligned with their needs and priorities.

By collaborating with policymakers, students and faculty can gain a deeper understanding of the policymaking process and the challenges faced by government agencies. This can help them tailor their research to be more relevant and impactful.

Challenges (and ways to address them)

While the benefits of collaboration are numerous, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges that may arise. For students, balancing coursework with research demands, obtaining necessary data, and effectively communicating complex research findings to policymakers can be daunting. However, these challenges can be mitigated through flexible deadlines, streamlined data sharing protocols, and training in policy communication.

Faculty members involved in collaborative projects may face increased workloads due to the additional responsibilities of supervising students and coordinating with policymakers. To address this, institutions can provide faculty with reduced teaching loads and dedicated research support.

For the public sector, participation in collaborative projects can be challenging due to limited resources and bureaucratic hurdles. However, by prioritizing collaboration and allocating dedicated resources, government agencies can reap the benefits of partnerships with academic institutions.

Additionally, topics with strict deadlines imposed by the public administration should be approached with caution. Students may face unforeseen challenges, such as studying abroad, extending their studies, or needing to take a leave of absence. Such circumstances could lead to substantial delays in completing the thesis, potentially resulting in academic penalties for the student and complications for the collaborating institution. Thus, flexibility in timelines is essential when choosing a thesis topic.

Tasks and Resources

In a typical collaborative project, students are responsible for conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, writing the text, and presenting their findings to policymakers. Faculty members provide guidance and mentorship, connect students with policymakers, and facilitate knowledge exchange. Policymakers play a crucial role in identifying research priorities, providing data and resources, reviewing research findings, and implementing policy recommendations.

To ensure the success of these collaborations, adequate motivation is essential. All sides (student, faculty member, policymaker) must find acceptable intersection of their requirements, needs and wishes, and must be flexible and able to do some compromises.

Required Funding for Activities

Diploma theses is obligatory part of almost all study programs, so there is no direct need for direct financial resources. Nevertheless, if this option exists it is good to find some supporting resources like student stipends, research assistantships, and administrative support. By investing in collaborative projects, governments can enhance the quality of their decision-making and improve the lives of their citizens.

Example

At the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacky University Olomouc, more than 40 diploma theses have been successfully defended over the past 15 years. These theses were conducted in close cooperation with several state institutions, primarily the Olomouc Region and the Statutory City of Olomouc. The theses covered a wide range of topics focusing on spatial planning, regional planning, transportation, and the environment, with an emphasis on spatial data, spatial analysis, and geovisualization. The results of these theses have been widely utilized by experts from various departments and policymakers at managerial and political levels. Consequently, these findings have directly contributed to more accurate and evidence-based decision-making in public administration.

Many of these diploma theses have also led to the creation of scientific publications, professional articles, and cartographic outputs—both printed and web-based—that are regularly used by municipal staff for spatial and transport planning purposes. In several cases, students complemented their thesis work with professional internships at city or regional offices, gaining hands-on experience in public administration. Specific examples of topics include analyses of transport accessibility to public infrastructure, modern methods for visualizing the spatial plan of Olomouc, and the development of automated tools and ArcGIS extensions for processing large geospatial datasets.

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Key features in a nutshell

• commissioned or contract research allows policymakers to receive the scientific expertise to assess policy issues
• commissioned research reports can include evaluations, fact-finding, surveys, feasibility studies, or forecasting exercises; commissioned research reports vary in length and scope

How does the format work?

Commissioned research reports are an established format for policymakers to receive scientific expertise. For example, policymakers can commission research (or contract research) to

• evaluate a law, funding programme, or other policy initiatives (e.g., questions like “Did the legal regulations reduce carb emissions in transport?” “Why did only a few companies apply for state subsidies to introduce energy-efficient technologies in their production facilities?”)
• find facts and conduct surveys (e.g., “What are the effects of microplastics on fish populations in rivers?” “How satisfied are citizens with public transport?”)
• conduct feasibility studies (e.g., “Is it technically possible and economically feasible to change the accounting software in government agencies?” “Which mines can nuclear waste be stored in?”)
• carry out forecasting exercises (“How many elderly people will be living in care homes in 20 years?” “How will climate change affect food security?”)

Commissioned research projects vary in scope, duration, and budget. They can range from small-scale projects, which an individual scientist can complete in a week, to large-scale projects that require the participation of dozens of scientists over several years. They can also vary with respect to their scientific “publishability”: depending on the academic discipline and type of research, commissioned research reports can be standard scholarly publications scientists write. Or scientists may have to adjust to unfamiliar types of research regarding research questions, structure, and format.

All state bodies and political parties can commission research reports. A common way to do that is to publish a call for tenders, which outlines the aim and budget of the commissioned research. Depending on the type of research, scientists might compete with think tanks, consultancies, NGOs, law firms, and other businesses when submitting a bid proposal.

There are numerous models for agreements between scientists and policymakers. If the following issues for tenders have not been covered by the calls, scientists should address them before applying or signing a contract:

• Will the commissioned research report be published? If so, will it be published immediately or after a retention period? Can you list the reports on your website?
• Who owns the research findings and data? Can they be used for other research projects?
• Who owns the copyright? Do you have permission or the authority to publish the commissioned research reports or sections of the reports in scientific publications?
• How detailed and strict are the terms of the agreement? Can you alter them during the project? For example, are you allowed to adjust the research question or methodology? Can you add additional questions to a survey?
• What happens if you cannot make the deadline?
• Do your clients in the policymaking institution expect you to present interim results/reports, or are they happy to receive the final research report eight months later?
• Who is going to read the commissioned research report?
• Do you have to provide policy recommendations?
• What items does the budget cover? Is there also a budget for travel, workshops, and other events?

Address these questions before starting the research project! Commissioned research is a significant source of income for many scientific institutions. But many scientists refrain from conducting commissioned research if they know that the research report will not count as a scholarly publication. This issue might be resolved if the research is conducted with two research outputs in mind: the commissioned research report and an academic journal (e.g., a peer-reviewed article). Discuss these issues with your client before starting the research project.

Suppose you conduct commissioned research for the first time and are unsure about structure, writing style, layout, and visualisations. If publicly available, check published commissioned research reports. Ask the clients if they can recommend reports regarding structure, writing style, and layout.

Also, keep your audience in mind: Did a unit in a government body commission a research report on a technical issue, which will most likely only be read by a few experts in the respective unit? Or did a committee in parliament commission an extensive study on a contested policy issue, which will be debated in a plenary session and result in media coverage? For example, suppose you are a chemist, and you are going to write a research report for some policy officers with a background in chemistry or a related subject. In that case, you will not have to explain every technical term and invest much time in a non-technical summary. But you should certainly do so if your report will be read by members of parliament or other policymakers who do not have a background in your discipline.

Please remember that commissioned research reports can provide the opportunity to connect with policymakers and is not limited to submitting reports. Even if your clients do not require the submission of interim results/reports, offer personal or virtual meetings to discuss their progress.

Also, if your resources allow, offer to organise a policy workshop or other policy event to discuss the results of the final research report. If your clients agree, think about inviting policymakers from other units or organisations who might be interested in the results. Senior policymakers are more likely to participate in a short event than to read a 200-page report. (CHECK our chapter on policy events.)

Tasks and resources

Scientists

In addition to preparing a funding bid, scientists have to conduct the research and prepare the research report. Depending on the contract, they might also have to prepare interim reports or present their research results at a policymaking institution. Scientists must invest weeks or months in the commissioned research project, which could take time away from their regular work.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers (Support Stuff)

Support staff can regularly check newsletters, tender portals, and similar websites and inform the scientists at their institutions about relevant tenders.

They can share good examples with scientists and help with the structure or writing style for scientists unfamiliar with contract research.

Policymakers

Policymakers must provide information on the aims, scope, and budget. A list of Frequently Asked Questions and guidelines is very helpful for scientists.

Sources and further reading

European Commission. No date., Funding, Tenders, accessed on 28 August 2024.

Institute for Government. 2024. Using and commissioning research in government, accessed on 23 August 2024.

Hodges, Dan; Rahman, Syahirah Abdul. 2022. Commissioned research, in Tim Vorley et al. (ed.), How to engage policymakers with your research, Edwar Elgar Publishing, pp. 175-183.

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Key features in a nutshell

A policy blog is a written analysis of a policy issue, about 900 to 2000 words. Readers like this brevity, and that’s why a catchy title that attracts readers` attention on social media and an easy writing style are essential.

• Policy blogs are great for sharing timely analyses of current policy issues. Scientists can also use them to present research findings from academic publications relevant to current policy debates; a blog post that is widely read and linked can also increase the citation rates of the academic paper in question
• To have their posts read by policymakers, scientists can regularly publish their blog posts on their website or via platforms like Medium or WordPress, which can be very time-consuming; or they can also publish their blog posts via an existing series of research institutions, think tanks, NGOs, and scientists
• If you publish a post on your website, make sure your website allows it to be shared via social media or forwarded via e-mail
• Make sure you announce your blog posts via social media

How does the format work?

Policy blogs are well structured and easy to read. They are great for sharing timely analyses of current policy issues. Scientists can also use them to present research findings from academic publications relevant to current policy debates. A widely read and linked blog post can also increase the citation rates of the academic paper in question. But blog posts are not simply summaries of existing research.

A blog post is typically structured as follows: a catchy title, an introductory paragraph with the key messages – phrased in a way that grabs the reader’s attention – followed by a brief analysis of the issue and research findings and a concluding paragraph. That`s enough for a policy blog. Visual elements like charts or tables are very helpful for explaining complex issues and keeping the reader’s attention.

Scientists should keep sentences short and use a writing style that is more informal than academic publications. They should think about their readership. If they want to focus on policy professionals in government ministries, agencies, or research services in parliamentary bodies who have expert knowledge of the topics covered in the policy blogs, scientists can use a technical writing style. if they want to reach members of parliament or their staff, and they should spell out acronyms unless they are commonly known (e.g., EU).

Policy blogs or blogs in general offer an excellent opportunity to use hyperlinks rather than footnotes or endnotes, which make the text shorter and easier to follow.

A short bio of three to four sentences should be included at the beginning or end. This bio should provide information on expertise, key publications, and policy experience rather than information on the visiting fellowship in 2007. Scientists should also add links to their websites and social media channels. Adding a comments section to the blog sites is an excellent way for scientists to interact with their readers if they wish to do so.

Challenges (and how to address them)

A blog is a concise text. Scientists therefore need to consider the key messages they want to convey. They can use an existing academic publication as the basis of a blog post. But they should present the findings of the publication that are relevant rather than summarising the publication itself. For that reason, scientists can dispense with sections on methods and literature reviews when writing blog posts.

Another question is: How do blog posts reach the right audience? Scientists have two options. First, they can publish their blog posts on their website or platforms like Medium or WordPress. This approach works if scientists are well known in the policy world or if policymakers follow their social media accounts. Second, scientists should blog regularly if they want to publish their blog posts via their websites or blogging platforms.

Alternatively, scientists can identify well-known blog series published by other research institutions, think tanks, or NGOs. Many blog series welcome contributions from external scientists, who can also approach colleagues who are well-known bloggers regarding a joint blog post.

Tasks and resources

Scientists

Content. Scientists can identify possible topics for policy blogs by following policy debates. They may also have to read about a current policy issue and reflect on the key messages when writing the post.

Organisational issues. Scientists must be certain the policy blog will reach policymakers. If they need mailing lists, websites, or social media channels to disseminate the policy blogs, they should approach research centres, think tanks, or NGOs that have tremendous reach and accept policy blogs from external contributors. (See section on challenges)

Resources with respect to time. Scientists should be able to write a blog n a couple of hours. Nonetheless, they might have to conduct original research when analysing a timely issue. They should be constantly asking themselves if they can extract a policy blog from a journal article or other lengthy publication.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers (Support Stuff)

Knowledge exchange managers can assist scientists in writing policy blogs by informing them about current policy issues. Knowledge exchange officers can follow media coverage, subscribe to policymaking institutions’ newsletters, and read official documents such as strategy papers or legislation. Knowledge exchange managers can read research articles and use Google or ChatGPT to link research output to current policy debates. They can talk to scientists regarding current policy issues and make suggestions for the structure and content of a policy blog. After reading the scientists’ journal articles, press officers often send drafts for press releases to scientists on current research results, which the scientists can then comment on. Knowledge exchange officers can operate in a similar fashion and produce draft policy blogs which scientists can develop further. Such an approach saves time for scientists.

Knowledge exchange managers are vital in disseminating policy blogs. They can identify readers by browsing organisation charts or committee members in parliaments. They can communicate the policy briefs via mailing lists, websites, and social media. If they need more reach regarding social media followers, mailing list recipients, or website visitors, knowledge exchange managers can identify other research institutions, think tanks, or NGOs with a broad reach and accept external contributions.

Sources and further reading

Cairney, Paul. 2016. Writing a policy paper and blog post, accessed on 21 August 2024.

Dunleavy, Patrick. 2026. How to write a blog post from your journal article in eleven easy steps, accessed on 21 August 2024.

Evidence and Policy Blog. (no date).

Bibby, Bick. 2019. Blogging for a policy audience, accessed on 21 August 2024.

See also contributions on the following issues

Understanding policy relevance, policy briefs, and timing.

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Key features in a nutshell

• a policy brief is a written analysis of a policy issue no more than a few pages long
• policy briefs usually present both scientific findings and policy recommendations
• policy briefs can analyse recent events; scientists can also write them to synthesise policy-relevant knowledge from journal articles or other lengthy scholarly work.

How does the format work?

Policy briefs are well-structured and easy-to-read. They are usually comprised of six parts: title, summary, introduction of policy issue, presentation of research findings, policy recommendations, sources, and appendix.

It should be noted that scientists compete for the attention of policymakers with businesses, lobby organisations, NGOs, and think tanks, whose staff are usually trained and experienced in writing policy briefs.

The first page of the policy brief is the most important. Scientists must understand that many policymakers will only read the first page or paragraph. Therefore, scientists must choose a catchy title reflecting the policy’s relevance or key findings. Examples of catchy titles can be found below.

The summary presents the key messages and should not exceed two paragraphs. Therefore, present your key messages in the summary using visualisation features like a textbox, thick print, bullet points, or a combination of them. Focus on 2-4 key messages. If your topic requires more than 2-4 key messages, consider publishing two policy briefs instead of one.

The following section introduces the policy issue. Explain clearly and concisely why the issue matters for policymaking. If clarification is needed on whether the issue is relevant for policymakers, read our post.

The following section will present your research findings: What, after reading this section, will the policymaker know that she didn’t know before? Why are these findings important? This section leads to the policy recommendations which are supposed to help policymakers draft or implement policies. Provide specific recommendations and avoid generalisations (“The government has to increase its efforts to save the environment”). Policy recommendations should be sound, even if policymakers are not likely to take them up in the short term.

In many cases, it took scientists decades to see concrete actions resulting from their policy recommendations. But scientists should know the political, legal, and financial implications of their policy recommendations’. Scientists and policymakers can argue which recommendations are politically, financially, and legally feasible, but scientists should refrain from recommendations that will never be implemented, such “to save electricity, Parliament should make the production and consumption of electricity illegal.” In some countries (e.g., Germany), policy briefs focus on analysis rather than policy recommendations.

The final section should include the sources or appendices, such as data sets. We recommend publishing data sets, a section on methods, and other lengthy information on your website and providing the URL in the sources section rather than adding pages of appendices to your policy brief.

Regarding style, keep sentences short and easy to understand. Think about your audience: if you want to focus on experts in policymaking institutions, you can employ a rather technical writing style. Avoid jargon and acronyms if you expect generalists to read your policy brief. Always let peers read your paper.

As in other contexts, timing is critical if scientists want to achieve impact. Our article on timing is available here.

Tasks and resources

Scientists

Content. Scientists can write the policy brief on their own. If they are too busy to do so, they can outline the structure and main arguments to knowledge exchange managers who can then write the policy briefs.

Organisational issues. Scientists must know if the policy briefs will reach policymakers. If they don’t have mailing lists, websites, or social media channels to disseminate the policy briefs, they should approach research centres, think tanks, or NGOs with tremendous reach and accept policy briefs from external contributors.

Resources regarding time. Scientists should be able to write a policy brief in a couple of hours. However, they might have to conduct original research when analysing a timely issue. They should be constantly asking themselves if they can extract a policy brief from a journal article or other lengthy publication.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers (Support Stuff)

Knowledge exchange managers can assist scientists in writing policy briefs by informing them about current policy issues. To do so, knowledge exchange officers can follow media coverage, subscribe to policymaking institutions’ newsletters and read official documents like strategy papers or legislation. Knowledge exchange managers can read research articles and use Google or ChatGPT to link research output with current policy debates.

Knowledge exchange managers can talk to scientists regarding current policy issues and make suggestions for the structure and content of a policy brief. After reading the scientists ‘ journal articles, press officers often send drafts for press releases to scientists on current research results, which the scientist can then comment ons. Knowledge exchange officers operate in a similar fashion and produce draft policy briefs which scientists can comment on. Such an approach saves time for scientists.

Knowledge exchange managers are vital in disseminating policy briefs. They can identify readers by browsing organisation charts or committee members in parliaments. They can communicate the policy briefs via mailing lists, websites, and social media. If they lack reach regarding social media followers, mailing list recipients, or website visitors, knowledge exchange managers can identify other research institutions, think tanks, or NGOs with a broad reach and accept external contributions.

Sources and further reading

Did COVID-19 accelerate the green transition? An international assessment of fiscal spending measures to support low-carbon technologies, OECD Policy Brief, 19 October 2023.

Egorov, Konstantin, Why did Russian economy not collapse under sanctions: Pre-war evidence, SAFE Policy Letter No. 102. September 2023.

See also contributions on the following issues

Understanding policy relevance, policy blogs, and timing.

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@uni-frankfurt.de