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When University Researchers Connect with Policy: A Framework for Whether, When, and How to Engage
Author(s) -
Day Elizabeth,
Wadsworth Shelley MacDermid,
Bogenschneider Karen,
ThomasMiller Jacquelyn
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of family theory and review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.454
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1756-2589
pISSN - 1756-2570
DOI - 10.1111/jftr.12306
Subject(s) - scholarship , trustworthiness , public relations , public policy , key (lock) , public engagement , process (computing) , policy analysis , political science , public domain , policy studies , ethnography , sociology , public administration , computer science , internet privacy , philosophy , computer security , theology , anthropology , law , operating system
Universities are renowned for their tradition of producing research that benefits millions of people. When it comes to policymaking, university research is considered more trustworthy than other sources, yet it simultaneously is widely perceived as playing too small a role in public policy decisions. In this article, we consider the engagement of university‐based researchers with policymakers and the policy process. As a guide for researchers, we propose a framework that includes three key decisions: whether, when, and how to engage in policymaking. We also apply Boyer's model of engaged scholarship to policymaking, reviewing what research studies and policymakers say about each domain. The domains are illustrated with case examples in which researchers successfully influenced public policy using ethnography, applied policy research, meta‐analysis, benefit–cost analyses, program evaluation, and policy forums. We discuss applications of our three key decisions and draw implications for researchers interested in building research‐based, family‐focused public policy.