Best Practices for Communicating Research Results to Policy and Media Audiences
(May 2011) Many population scientists conduct research that is relevant for a wide range of policy issues. Some are interested in disseminating their results to both policy and media audiences, but would benefit from expert advice on how to do this effectively. PRB’s CPIPR Advisory Committee identified a need for centralized information about best practices for effectively communicating research results to both policy and media audiences.
Two presentations share best practices for effectively communicating research results to both policy and media audiences. Presenters’ PowerPoint slides are also included.
D’Vera Cohn, senior writer, Pew Research Center, shares her advice and strategies for speaking effectively with reporters and building positive ongoing relationships with the media.
Video: “Using the Media to Communicate Demographic Research Results.”
Download Cohn’s presentation.
At the 2011 Population Association of America Meetings meetings in May, CPIPR hosted a session “Communicating Demographic Results to Policymakers.”
Video: “Communicating Demographic Results to Policymakers” (Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes)
Two presenters shared their advice on how researchers can effectively share their results with policymakers:
- Mary Jo Hoeksema, director of government and public affairs, Population Association of America and Association of Population Centers (View PowerPoint PDF: 81KB)
- Steven Robinson, senior policy adviser for the Republican staff, Joint Economic Committee, and formerly chief Social Security adviser for the Senate Finance Committee (View PowerPoint PDF: 29KB)
Three presenters shared their experiences and lessons learned in successfully communicating their policy-relevant findings to decisionmakers on Capitol Hill and in government agencies:
- Nicole Kunko, chief of public policy, Association of States and Territorial Health Officials, and formerly professional staff for the Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. House of Representatives for 11 years (View PowerPoint PDF: 436KB)
- Robert Moffitt, Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Economics, Johns Hopkins University (View PowerPoint PDF: 47KB)
- Jane Waldfogel, professor of social work and public affairs, Columbia University (View PowerPoint PDF: 184KB)