Policy Impact of Knowledge and Knowledge Organisations · Outputs should include some consensus on best current practice and identification of promising new approaches as well as

Policy Impact of Knowledge and Knowledge Organisations

BrusselsRue Philippe le Bon 3, Room 1.4

20 June 2017

Programme

JointResearchCentre

The European Commission’sscience and knowledge service

Joint Research Centre

ec.europa.eu/jrc

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There is a considerable body of literature discussing the impact of research and knowledge on growth, economy, society, environment, etc. There is a separate discussion on the impact of knowledge production and management on policy. In today’s political climate, when policy decisions are questioned and confidence in public institutions, expertise and evidence is under threat, it is vital to understand better the impact of knowledge and science on policymaking. How can we measure such an impact? How can such measurements help demonstrate the importance of evidence informed policy? The objective is to bring together key practitioners, whether on the knowledge supply-side or the policy demand-side, to identify what is meant by impact on policy and how to best measure it. Outputs should include some consensus on best current practice and identification of promising new approaches as well as ideas how to improve/increase impact on policies.

In the literature on research impact in general, impact on “public policy” is rarely the sole focus and is usually a sub-topic. Metrics of scientific excellence, although vital, are a separate debate. Nevertheless both may serve as an inspiration as well as to provide useful systemic approaches and best practices.

A discussion of what is meant by impact on policy is essential to start with. Should impact be linked to simply making policymakers aware of certain facts or should it address impact on their decisions? Does it make sense to understand impact differently at different stages of the policy cycle? The merits of qualitative and quantitative approaches towards measuring impact should also be discussed. The workshop will allow space for a reflection on the limits of measuring impact and on the need to re-inject in political relationships the notion of confidence, trust and serendipity.

The workshop will also explore the policy impact of knowledge from both accountability and learning perspectives, this latter aspect is especially important to reinforce the impact of knowledge in the policy process. ‘Information overload” is such a problem for policymakers that any new approaches that help to identify the best way to achieve impact, should reinforce the demand for knowledge and best practice..

08:30 – 09:30Registration and welcome coffee

09:30 – 10:00Opening panel discussion

Vladimir Šucha Director-General, Directorate-General Joint Research Centre, European Commission

Anne BucherChair of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board,European Commission

Paul Rübig Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Vice-chair of STOA (Science and Technology Options Assessment)

10:00 – 10:30Key-note: Cultures of counting: impact, inter-disciplinarity and next generation metrics

James WilsdonUniversity of Sheffield, Vice-Chair International Network for Government Scientific Advice (INGSA)

10:30 – 11:00Coffee break

11:00 – 13:00Understanding and assessing impact on policy

Scene setting

Pierre-Benoit Joly Research Director, INRA

Wolfgang RoheExecutive Director, Stiftung Mercator

Clara RichardsSenior Programme Manager, Evidence-Informed Policy Making, INASP

Group work (world café style) : the workshop will divide up into small groups in order to discuss the session themes

Question for group work:

What do we mean by “impact on policy”? Is it enough to simply make policymakers aware of facts or does it mean changing minds?

Why should we measure it?

How do we reconcile the need to demonstrate an impact on policy and to achieve it?

Does impact look different at different stages of the policy cycle?

Plenary SessionPresentation of results of group work

13:00 – 14:00Networking lunch

Tuesday 20 June 2017

Policy impact of knowledge and knowledge organisations:from understanding impact towards measuring it

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14:00 – 16:30Qualitative & quantitative approaches to measuring impact: existing methods, new approaches & challenges

Scene setting

Stephane Berghmans, Director Academic Relations, RELX Group/Elsevier

Jonathan Adams, Altmetric and Digital Science’s Chief Scientist

David Budtz Pedersen, Alborg University, Humanomics Research Centre, Department of Communication & Psychology

Sarah Chaytor, Director of Research Strategy & Policy, and Joint Chief of Staff Office of the UCL Vice-Provost (Research)

Group work (world café style): the workshop will divide up into small groups in order to discuss the session themes

Suggested topics for group work:

What are main strengths and weaknesses of current metrics?

What are the most promising new approaches?

How do we avoid bias in measurement?

Where are the limits to measuring impact on policy?

Plenary SessionPresentation of results of group work

Coffee will be served between the workgroup sessions

16:30 – 17:00 Conclusions

Vladimir ŠuchaDirector-General, Directorate-General Joint Research Centre, European Commission

Anna Panagopoulou Director, DG Research and Innovation, European Commisison

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Notes

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Notes

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As the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre’s mission is to support EU policies with independent evidence throughout the whole policy cycle.

Documents

Policy Impact of Knowledge and Knowledge Organisations · Outputs should include some consensus on best current practice and identification of promising new approaches as well as