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Overview
The relationship between research knowledge production and international policymaking is neither straightforward nor linear and remains essentially contested in the literature.
The international policymaking domain is a complex multilevel, multicentric system of governance and decision-making beyond the nation-state, characterised by interaction between different kinds of actors (both state and non-state) who can shape or make decisions affecting international affairs.
The global policy challenges and priorities which these actors can seek to address are also complex – whether, say, those related to climate risk, migratory pressures or energy security.
The shifting influence of politics and power on international policymaking processes and dynamics further complicates this picture.
Researchers who aim to engage with the international policymaking domain with the ambition of influencing policy development there may seek to address this complexity through strategic (dynamic and responsive) impact planning.
What is international policy?
Policy – and, it follows, international policy - are contested notions. But, in very broad terms, the lattermay be taken to refer to decisions governing behaviour and relations beyond the nation-state - in the international sphere - across key global interest sites such as security and terrorism, climate change, financial regulation, migration and refugees, energy geo-politics, international development and international trade.
Where is international policy formed?
Within a complex multilevel, multicentric system of governance and decision-making beyond the nation-state at the global level.
Which actors make international policy?
Different kinds of organisational actors with recognised status for developing rules to govern behaviour and relations in the international sphere; for example, the World Trade Organisation on rules of international trade.
Which actors shape international policy?
Diverse interacting socio-political actors can shape or influence international policy development, including nation states, international agencies, corporations, global policy networks, public-private partnerships and transnational NGOs.
Connecting with actors who make and shape international policy: key tips
First, analyse: as a crucial first step, seek to develop a critical-analytical understanding of the complexity of the specific dimension of international policymaking relevant to your particular research area, identifying:
- how key related policy processes function;
- key related policymaking actors (i.e. those who have the power to address the global problem examined in your research; to include an assessment of their ideological agendas, interests, aims and goals and how they use research);
- the shifting impact of politics and power on policy dynamics, discourse and debate in this field; and,
- key aligned influential actors, advocacy networks and knowledge brokers;
keep this contextual analysis and mapping up to date, taking account of pertinent change.
Second, strategize: having identified those international policymaking actors for whom your research might be most directly relevant, aim to ensure that any engagement with said actors is underpinned by proper (dynamic and responsive) impact planning:
- establish precisely how (where/when – at which ‘entry points’) you might most meaningfully and effectively engage with these actors;
- strategically adapt/frame your research contribution, ensuring it remains accessible, relevant and useful for targeted audiences;
- consider the merit of collaborative working to capture/address the complexity of the given global problem through interdisciplinary analysis;
- consider the timing of any engagement, i.e. how it might align with key actors’ policy process pathways, emerging/evolving priorities and any pertinent contextual change;
- develop and augment key network contacts/relationships (for example, as potential knowledge brokers/intermediaries); and,
- track and measure progress made, revisiting, updating (and, where necessary, revising) any engagement plan while logging any lessons learned.
Engagement with actors who make and shape policy at regional (supranational) and global levels: further resources
Regional/supranational:
- European Parliament - On standing committees
- European Parliamentary Research Service - European Parliament's in-house research facility and thinktank
- Centre for European Policy Studies: key European policy thinktank
- Centre for Research on Impact Evaluation: builds bridges between EU policymakers and the scientific community:
Global:
Transnational NGOs:
- Engagement with such actors may benefit researcher networking and dissemination efforts as part of transnational advocacy networks and wider global civil society mobilisation.
- UN and NGOs - guide
The University of Oxford has published helpful guidance notes on engaging with policy makers internationally.
