Doctor with extensive experience in knowledge mobilisation and evidence-informed policymaking
2026 Academic Fellow, October
Dr Eleanor MacKillop is a Research Associate at the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) at Cardiff University. The Centre supports governments and public services to access, interpret and apply evidence to improve policymaking and delivery.
As part of the Wales Centre for Public Policy team participating in the ANZSOG Academic Fellows program, Dr Durrant works alongside Professor James Downe and Dr Hannah Durrant to strengthen the use of evidence in government decision-making and policy development.
Dr MacKillop brings expertise in knowledge mobilisation, knowledge brokering and evidence-informed policymaking. Together, the team combines academic research with extensive experience working directly with governments and public services to strengthen the use of evidence in policy development, decision-making and delivery.
Fellowship focus
Strengthening knowledge mobilisation and evidence-for-policy systems
The team’s Fellowship will explore international leading practice in knowledge mobilisation and how governments can strengthen the systems that connect research evidence with policy and practice.
Drawing on their experience in Wales and across the United Kingdom, the Fellows will bring a comparative perspective to the structures, capabilities and relationships that enable governments to access, interpret and apply evidence. Their work will examine the role of knowledge-brokering organisations and how evidence-for-policy systems can better respond to government priorities and support effective public service delivery.
Areas of expertise
Knowledge mobilisation and knowledge brokering
Evidence-informed policymaking
Policy advisory and evidence-for-policy systems
Public management and public service improvement
Government performance, accountability and regulation
Collaboration between researchers, policymakers and public services
Publications & Awards
The team have published extensively on knowledge mobilisation, evidence-informed policymaking, public management, ethical leadership and public service improvement.
Selected publications include:
Durrant, H., Havers, R., Downe, J. and Martin, S. (2024), ‘Improving evidence use: a systematic scoping review of local models of knowledge mobilisation’, Evidence & Policy, 20(3), 370–392.
Piddington, G., MacKillop, E. and Downe, J. (2024), ‘Do policy actors have different views of what constitutes evidence in policymaking?’, Policy & Politics, 52(2), 239–258.
MacKillop, E., Quarmby, S. and Downe, J. (2020), ‘Does knowledge brokering facilitate evidence-based policy? A review of existing knowledge and an agenda for future research’, Policy & Politics, 48(2), 335–353.
Downe, J., Cowell, R. and Morgan, K. (2016), ‘What determines ethical behavior in public organizations: is it rules or leadership?’, Public Administration Review, 76(6), 898–909.
Hartley, J. and Downe, J. (2007), ‘The shining lights? Public service awards as an approach to service improvement’, Public Administration, 85(2), 329–353.
Their recent work includes contributions to the Routledge Handbook of Policy Advisory Systems and the Handbook of Policy Advice, as well as research examining the impact of the United Kingdom’s What Works Centres as knowledge-brokering organisations.
The team’s work at the Wales Centre for Public Policy supports Welsh Government priorities and contributes to stronger use of research evidence across government and public services.