Towards research impact: Using place-based policy to develop new research methods for bridging the academic/policy divide

Abstract

There is increasing pressure on academics to show the impact of their research. At the same time, policymakers are expected to draw upon a wide base of evidence, including academic research, to develop innovative solutions to often intractable societal problems. Despite these complementary objectives of<br/>impact and use of evidence, the relationship between academics and policy-makers is often difficult. Some have characterized these groups as ‘two worlds’, each with differing objectives, methods and timeframes. This paper explores the issues associated with this problem and outlines a new approach to research which seeks to engage both government agencies and academics. It makes use of a publishing initiative of the Regional Studies Association (RSA) to produce research that is of value to both government officials and academic researchers. This method aimed to develop a shared understanding with the potential to benefit both groups. While the focus of the research was on place-based regional policy, comparable methods could be applied to many other questions of interest to both governments and researchers working in regional studies and other social science fields.