Mobilising evidence for public policy impact
Evidence-informed policy is often seen as the goal of good government, but its impact depends on more than the quality of the evidence itself. This event explores how evidence is recognised, whose expertise is valued, and how research, practice and lived experience can be mobilised to influence policy decisions, strengthen implementation and support better public outcomes.
Drawing on the experience of the Wales Centre for Public Policy, speakers James Downe, Hannah Durrant and Eleanor MacKillop will share practical insights into knowledge brokering and evidence mobilisation in government. Through case studies from Wales, the session will examine how relationship-based approaches can increase the influence and impact of evidence in policy, with reflections for public administration in Australia and New Zealand.
Why this conversation matters now
Public sector leaders are expected to make well-founded decisions in environments where evidence is diverse, contested and difficult to connect with policy processes. Knowledge mobilisation offers a practical way to bridge research, expertise and decision-making by paying attention to relationships, context and multiple forms of evidence.
The Wales experience provides a useful comparative lens for leaders in Australia and New Zealand who are seeking practical approaches to improve evidence use, strengthen collaboration and support better public outcomes.
Who should attend?
The intended audience includes public sector professionals across local, state and federal government; policy, program and service delivery practitioners; senior managers and executives; ANZSOG alumni; and professionals across the broader public purpose sector.
The event is particularly relevant to people responsible for policy advice, evidence use, evaluation, cross-sector collaboration, research translation and service improvement.
Audience takeaway
Participants should leave with:
a clearer understanding of knowledge mobilisation and knowledge brokering;
practical insight into how evidence and expertise can be connected to policy decision-making;
examples of enabling conditions, common barriers and relationship-based practices;
comparative lessons from Wales that can inform work in Australia and New Zealand; and
questions to apply when assessing whose evidence is used, what counts as evidence and how influence can be understood.