Are research-policy engagement activities informed by policy theory and evidence? 7 challenges to the UK impact agenda

“Impact” describes how research informs policy and societal change, “impact agenda” strategies to increase engagement between policymaking. Both are notoriously difficult conceptualize measure. However, funders must find ways define identify the success of different research-policy initiatives. We seek answer, but also widen, their implicit question: in what should we invest if maximize impact research? map activities 346 organizations investing engagement. categorize as belonging three “generations” fostering linear, relational, systems approaches evidence use. Some seem successful, available is not clear often do provide explicit aims compare with outcomes. As such, it know where researches energy. relate these findings studies analysis, process research, critical social science seven key challenges for agenda”. They include: clarify purpose engagement, who for, achievable complex policymaking systems, far researchers go it. These help inform future use, well improve research.