Academics and public policy
Academic researchers are important contributors to the public policy process in Canada and other countries. However, they generally do not contribute directly. First their work tends to pass through the hands others, sometimes called knowledge brokers, before it reaches those who actually make public policy. Secondly, although policy advisors and ultimate decision-makers tend to be aware of major schools of thought, they are less likely to be influenced by any specific single journal article or book. This chapter explores the process by which academic research finds its way into public-policy process and illustrates steps academic researchers can take to increase the chances their work will be taken account of in policy-making. The chapter ends with a word of caution about what can go wrong if academic researchers over-reach and try to influence the policy process without taking account of context.