Research has a vital role to play in shaping public policy in today’s fast-moving world and evidence-based decision-making is more important than ever. However, getting your work in front of policymakers isn’t always straightforward.
A new Sustainable Development Goal impact report from Springer Nature and Overton, published during COP30, underscores just how critical this connection is. Drawing on over 12 million policy documents, the analysis reveals that SDG-related policy cites research more frequently than other policy areas, signalling a strong link between science and action on global challenges like health, climate, and social development. The report also highlights practical steps researchers can take to maximize impact, from embracing open access to creating policy-ready content.
Drawing on insights from this report and recent policy briefs in the Science for a Sustainable Future series, here are practical, experience-based tips to help you navigate the science-policy interface and increase the visibility and impact of your work.
Start small
If you’re new to policy engagement, start with small steps.
You don’t need connections or major funding to make an impact. Learn about the policy landscape: read briefings, join consultations, or follow relevant departments. Sharing a plain-language summary of your research or contacting a local policymaker can be a great start. Everyone starts somewhere, and small actions can lead to meaningful impact.
Lead with the impact
When speaking to policymakers, start with the ‘so what’? What does your research mean for people, systems, or decisions?
Policymakers are often short on time and long on competing priorities. Leading with the real-world implications of your work helps them quickly understand why it matters. Once you’ve captured their attention, explain how you arrived at your findings. This shift in focus from method to meaning can make all the difference.
Make your work accessible
Accessibility isn’t just about open access publishing; it’s about making your work understandable and easy to digest.
The SDG impact report shows that reviews, letters, and news articles, short, concise formats, are highly cited in policy, even more than full research papers. Avoid jargon, write clearly, and focus on practical applications. Think about how your findings could be used in a policy brief, stakeholder meeting, or public consultation. If your work is written in overly technical language, it’s unlikely to reach the people who need it most.
Image credit: Session summary By Suzanne Seton
Be specific
While it’s tempting to end with ‘more research is needed,’ policymakers are looking for specific solutions.
Offer clear, actionable recommendations, even if they’re small steps. What should happen next? Who should do it? What resources are needed? Framing your findings in the context of actions and next steps helps policymakers see a path forward and positions you as a valuable contributor to the policy process.
Engage early and often
Policy engagement shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Involving policymakers from the start of your research, through advisory groups, stakeholder interviews, and informal conversations, helps ensure your work is relevant and timely. It also builds trust and increases the likelihood that your findings will be taken seriously when they’re ready to share.
Build bridges with policy intermediaries
Many institutions and networks exist to help bridge the gap between research and policy.
The SDG report highlights that think tanks, NGOs, and IGOs cite research more frequently than governments, making them crucial knowledge brokers. Building relationships with these intermediaries can be a powerful way to extend your reach.
Image credit: Session summary By Suzanne Seton
Present data clearly so it cuts through
Even the best data is ineffective if it’s misunderstood.
Helping policymakers build their capacity to interpret and use data is a long-term investment that pays off. This might mean considering how best to present your data clearly, promoting data literacy through training sessions, visual summaries, or simply being available to answer questions.
Champion inclusion through collaboration
Policy decisions affect different groups differently, and global challenges demand joint solutions.
Make your research inclusive by disaggregating data (e.g., by gender, geography, income) and collaborate across borders and sectors to share best practices and co-develop solutions. This helps close gaps. For example, the SDG report finding that 78% of research cited in policy comes from the Global North. This ensures your work is both globally informed and locally relevant.
Align with policy agendas
Your research is more likely to gain traction if it speaks directly to current policy priorities.
Whether it’s the Sustainable Development Goals, national climate targets, or local health strategies, framing your work with these agendas in mind helps policymakers see its relevance. The SDG impact report shows that aligning research with global frameworks significantly increases its policy uptake. This doesn’t mean compromising your research questions—it means being thoughtful about how you present your findings and aware of national, local, or regional policy environments.
Advocate for institutional support
Policy engagement takes time, skills, and resources.
Researchers need support from their institutions, whether that’s training in science communication, recognition in promotion criteria, or funding for impact-oriented projects. Don’t be afraid to advocate for these changes. Creating a culture that values policy engagement benefits everyone.
Making research digestible for policymakers requires the ability to communicate your work effectively. Nature Energy’s policy briefings and the Nature Briefing newsletters are great examples of how complex research can be translated into accessible, actionable formats. However, even modest efforts, like a well-written summary or a short explainer, can go a long way toward influencing policy.
For further support, you can explore Nature Masterclasses, including the on-demand course on Effective Science Communication. You can also find additional resources and support on the Science for a Sustainable Future homepage, featuring recorded content on the role of science and research in driving sustainable change, as well as insights into how the data revolution is shaping global education.
These tips offer a roadmap for making your research accessible beyond academia. The world needs evidence-based solutions, and you are an essential part in making that happen.