Producing evidence and research is a core function of any university. Often, however, this output is most accessible to fellow researchers working in similar areas and not to the wider public. Yet the volume of research generated by higher education institutions holds great potential to inform policy decisions. Strengthening the ability of academics to communicate their work to policy-makers and non-academics is therefore essential.

In this context, the African Association of Universities (AAU) hosted several pre-conference training sessions in Morocco from 19 to 20 July, ahead of its 16th quadrennial conference. Dr Itai Makone, Researcher for Policy Advice at the Policy Innovation Lab, took part in one of these sessions, titled “Driving Policy through Research, Communication and Partnerships for Institutional Transformation”. The focus was on improving the research-policy interface, writing policy briefs, identifying strategic opportunities for policy engagement, and forming effective public-private partnerships.

Bridging the gap between research and policy begins with universities understanding how the policy-making process works and where the challenges lie. To contribute effectively, universities need to adopt a coordinated approach to policy engagement. Trainers highlighted the importance of assigning a specific contact person or office for policy-related queries. Making academic staff more visible across multiple platforms can also help policy-makers identify who to approach for specific evidence.

At an institutional level, researchers should be encouraged to write policy briefs and guide students to reflect on the policy implications of their work. Over time, this builds a culture of policy contribution within the university. A designated policy contact can then collect and track the impact of research outputs across departments.

Policy briefs are a practical communication tool for researchers. They are concise documents that outline a specific issue and offer actionable recommendations. The training advised that an effective brief should run four to six pages, focus on a single problem and make a strong case for urgent action. It should present three key messages that clearly state what is being asked of policy-makers. This is followed by a review of current policies, gaps in existing responses, and finally, six targeted recommendations that specify the responsible actors. The brief can be disseminated in written, audio or visual formats.

“As a Researcher for Policy Advice, this training on developing effective policy briefs has significantly strengthened my ability to communicate research insights clearly and ensure that my advice is impactful and aligned with decision-makers’ needs,” said Dr Itai Makone.

When forming public-private partnerships, both parties should clearly outline their expectations at the outset. This includes resources, timelines, intellectual property, anticipated outcomes, and mechanisms for handling conflict. These terms must be outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding before commencing any work.

A special thank you to Prof Sibusiso Moyo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, for enabling Dr Itai Makone’s participation in the event.