Resources on writing for policymakers

Interested in writing for policymakers but don’t know where to start?

Many written formats are consulted by policymakers as they design, implement and evaluate policy: from policy briefs and journalistic articles to blogs and tweets.

Below are links to documents and external websites that give helpful tips and example formats to those who are interested in putting together written documents that will appeal to policymakers.

There are also links to tips and platforms for engaging with policymakers once you’ve put together a written document. For additional advice on how and why to influence public policy, you can watch our ‘Asking Experts’ videos or read our influential researcher interviews.

Writing tips and templates

• A policy brief template and guidance notes from Policy@manchester
• Collection of 100+ freely accessible History & Policy Papers 
  
• Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology’s POST notes
  
• Guidance on giving evidence to a Select Committee of the House of Commons, UK Parliament
• House of Commons Library website, including access to extensive online collections of research briefings, business briefings and deposited papers
  
• Tips from Oxfam on Writing for Impact: Lessons for Journalism
  
• Tips on How to make a policy brief that has real impact from Professor Mark Reed and Rosmarie Katrin Neumann

Academic engagement tips and platforms

• History and Policy network researcher case studies and Policy Impact Skills talks
• AHRC research project case studies, including policy-relevant examples
  
• What is the Value of History in Policymaking? A joint report from Institute for Government and the AHRC
  
• Dr Rebecca Harrison, University of East Anglia, gives top tips on engaging with policymakers
  
• Sarah Foxen, PhD candidate at London School of Economics presents a great summary of eight ways research gets into parliament
  
• Views of Independent Researcher Jules Evans on How art and humanities can influence public policy
• Sarah Teasly, Royal College of Art blogs about her visit to the Institute for Government
  
• Case studies from interns who have worked with CSAP (Cambridge-based Centre for Science and Policy)
  
• British Diplomatic Oral History Programme (BDOHP) from Churchill College, Cambridge University and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Policymaker engagement tips and platforms

• Institute for Government website including blogs and publications from the UK’s leading independent charity and think tank promoting more effective government
  
• What Works Network website, including a report on Evidence for decision makers
  
• UK Government Open Policy Making Toolkit giving a policymakers perspective on creation of user-led policy
• Listing of all open calls for evidence from UK Parliament Select Committees
• The Overseas Development Institute’s (ODI) interactive online guide to policy engagement and policy influence, entitled ROMA
• An ODI handbook for researchers, entitled Tools for Policy Impact