What’s in public policy engagement for humanities researchers?
Research evidence and expertise from the humanities can benefit public policy decision making in myriad ways. However, as a researcher it can be a challenge to know how to engage with policymakers, what kind of impact your research might have, and importantly, how engaging with public policy can benefit your research. This workshop explored the rewards and challenges of public policy engagement from the perspective of humanities researchers at different career stages and considered practical ways to plan for policy engagement as a pathway to research impact. I (Arlene Holmes-Henderson) spoke alongside include Helen Small, Merton Professor of English Language and Literature; Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China; and Charlotte Medland, the Innovation, Impact & Evaluation Facilitator for the Humanities Division.
Hosted by the Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) and TORCH, the session was chaired by Dr Jennifer Crane, a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at the Faculty of History and member of the OPEN Steering Group.
We provided examples of our own experiences of policy engagement and shared top tips for colleagues. I learned a great deal from Helen, Rana, Charlotte and Jenny. I will develop ideas from this workshop further in my role as a OPEN Policy Leader for the Humanities Division.
Back to: Dr Arlene Holmes-Henderson's Knowledge Exchange Fellowship page.
