Setting the Stage: Key Concepts and Actors in Policy Engagement

Policy engagement

In line with the University of Oxford’s widely used definition, we view policy engagement as an umbrella term describing ‘the many ways researchers and policymakers connect and explore common interests at various stages in their respective research and policymaking processes.’

We regard policy engagement as a more comprehensive and two-way (bidirectional) approach than traditional science advice. It encompasses diverse outcomes – such as informing policy change, building networks, mutual learning, or codesigning research agendas – and can take place through both formal and informal channels.

Policymakers

We define policymakers broadly as individuals involved in analysing, assessing, planning, drafting, and implementing policies. Not all policymakers are direct decision makers (such as politicians or heads of institutions).

Our broad definition covers:

• Elected politicians (e.g., Members of Parliament, ministers)
• Political staff and advisers
• Staffers in political parties
• Civil servants and officials in local, regional, national, or EU institutions and international organisations

This definition spans all branches of government and administrative levels.

Academic researchers

We define academic researchers as individuals affiliated with academic institutions, such as universities or independent research institutes, who conduct fundamental or applied research.

Unlike researchers in think tanks or consultancies, conducting policy analysis and engaging with policymakers is usually not the primary ‘bread and butter’ business of academic scholars. For most academics, policy engagement is an additional activity undertaken alongside core responsibilities such as conducting research, teaching, managing projects, peer reviewing, and serving in learned societies.

To account for different career stages and capacities, we apply the European Framework for Research Careers (R1–R4):

• R1 – First-stage researchers: Doctoral candidates or researchers conducting research under supervision
• R2 – Recognised researchers: Postdoctoral researchers or scholars holding a PhD (or equivalent competence) who are developing academic independence
• R3 – Established researchers: Independent researchers who formulate their own research agendas, secure third-party funding, and lead research groups
• R4 – Leading researchers: Senior scholars who are recognised as pioneers and leaders in their research field by their peers

Research managers

Research managers are professional, non-research staff within academic institutions who support scholars throughout the research lifecycle. Their expertise spans grant application support, project management, communications, impact assessment, or institutional strategy development.

In the realm of policy engagement, this group includes knowledge mobilisers and brokers (who build bridges between researchers and external policymakers), grant officers (who help integrate policy engagement plans into funding proposals), and strategy officers (who embed science-policy interaction into university strategies).

Sources and further reading

Breckon, Jonathan, Sarah Chaytor, Stephen Clarke, Helen Durrant, and Olivia Stevenson (2025), Hidden Talents: Core Competencies of Knowledge Mobilisers Working in Public Policy. London: Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE).

Council of the European Union (2023), Council Recommendation on a European Framework to Attract and Retain Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Talents in Europe. Brussels: Council of the European Union. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

Hepworth, B. (2025), P is for Policymakers. Transforming Evidence Blog. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

Reed, Mark S. (2024), The Researcher’s Guide to Influencing Policy. London and New York: Routledge.

Stevenson, Olivia (2019), Translating Research into Policy – Who Are ‘The Policymakers’? UCL Policy Lab Blog. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

University of Oxford (2024), Policy Engagement: What is Policy Engagement? University of Oxford Policy Engagement Network. Retrieved April 10, 2024.

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