Academic engagement: factsheet

Academic research and evidence-informed policy making

Evidence and analysis are at the heart of policy design and delivery in the Scottish Government. We seek to ensure that the best available evidence informs decision making, leading to better outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Evidence helps to hold us accountable, by assessing whether policies and services benefit the people who they are designed to help. It sheds light on inequalities so we can design policies that deliver for all. Evidence underpins our commitment to openness, transparency and trust.

Ministers and officials rely on various types of evidence to inform decision making, drawing on a range of expertise from across professions and disciplines. Academic research is central to this.

Use of evidence in policy

We draw on evidence and analysis at all stages of policy, from development through to implementation and evaluation.

• We identify issues, trends and gaps, and formulate options to address these, taking account of costs, benefits and risks.
• We gather information to understand the potential social, environmental and economic impacts of policy.
• Ideas are tested and data are collected and analysed to evaluate processes, impacts and value for money.
• Evidence informs decisions on difficult trade-offs and whether to stop, continue or change a policy.
• At every stage we aim to communicate our methods and findings widely and accessibly.

We champion evidence from lived experience and person-centred approaches to create policies that better meet people’s needs.

Academic expertise shapes evidence and analysis at each stage. We rely on trusted experts across the research community to inform our thinking on key issues, advise us on ways forward, and facilitate access to high quality evidence and rigorous methods.

Analytical landscape in the Scottish Government

Some academic experts are seconded to work directly in government roles as chief advisers.

Scottish Government also has its own in-house analytical specialists working across core government and agencies. Government analysts are civil servants and most belong to one of the recognised analytical professions: social research; economics; statistics; and operational research.

Other evidence specialists within government include user researchers in the digital profession, geographers, scientists and engineers. Policy officials in government also have core skills in the use of evidence and analysis.

Working together

Academic experts work with government analysts and policy officials to contribute to policy design and delivery in a variety of ways, such as:

• membership of steering groups and project advisory groups
• participation in roundtables and ministerial meetings
• time-limited fellowships and secondments
• peer review of research outputs
• delivery of seminars and workshops
• provision of written briefings

Academic researchers contribute to our evidence base through projects commissioned or grant-funded by government, and through the wider academic literature drawn upon by government analysts and policy officials. They also deliver learning and development sessions for officials.

Engaging effectively with policy makers

If you’re interested in engaging with policy makers in the Scottish Government, the first step is to familiarise yourself with the policy and legislative landscape in Scotland. Make sure you understand which policy areas are devolved and which are reserved, and that you are aware of the distinct roles of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament in policy making.

Engagement with the Scottish Government may involve contact with civil servants (analytical or policy officials), politically appointed Special Advisers supporting Ministers, or Ministers themselves. Who is involved will depend on the issue at hand and the purpose of the engagement. If you’re not sure where to start, please email socialresearch@gov.scot including as much information as possible about the nature of your query and what you are hoping to get from your engagement.

At the outset of any engagement, it’s essential to establish a shared understanding of expectations around confidentiality, record-keeping, and ownership and use of information shared. Officials must abide by the Civil Service Code and they should make you aware of any issues or restrictions that might arise from this. Ensure you're familiar with the code and implications this may have for your engagement.

Clear communication is crucial. Reports, briefings and presentations must use plain language with accessible explanations of any technical details. Provide an initial summary at the start of your report or briefing to highlight the key learning points you want the audience to take away from your work and any recommendations or offers you wish them to consider. Case studies, infographics and highlights of key findings can aid engagement. Tell a clear story of how your research findings link to policy implications, while also being transparent about uncertainties and limitations.

Don’t expect that a particular piece of research will translate directly into impact on policy making. Policy decisions are based on a complex constellation of factors – research evidence, including from academics, is a major part of this but is not the only influence. Developing, implementing and evaluating policy can be a slow process and you should be prepared to build your networks and maintain engagement over time.

Be aware of the broader context, including political drivers and interests of other stakeholders including industry, campaign groups and the wider public. Stay up to date with engagements undertaken by your academic colleagues and the activities of public sector and third sector partners, policy institutes and think tanks.

The Scottish Policy and Research Exchange (SPRE) provides helpful resources for academic-policy engagement.

Opportunities to engage

There are many routes for academics at any career stage to engage with the Scottish Government.

This guide lists specific opportunities for academic researchers and students, including information about Areas of Research Interest, research funding, and fellowships, internships and placements.

Government officials are sometimes approached to endorse or collaborate on academic research funding bids to external funders such as research councils. This is at the discretion of the relevant government team, and officials might agree to support more than one competing bid to the same funding call. It is essential that the academic team approaches the government team at an early stage to ensure there is ample time for meaningful discussion of the proposal.