How To Write A Policy Brief

Are you interested in policy engagement? A policy brief is one method to facilitate policy engagement and impact. This resource provides an overview of the best practice for writing policy briefs with the view to effectively engaging policy audiences.

Note: This resource employs invented illustrative examples unless stated otherwise.

Policy Briefs: What are They?

A policy brief is a concise document (usually 2-3 pages in length) which summarises research and evidence in relation to a complex problem and provides actionable guidance and recommendations to a target audience to address or respond to the identified issue. They are often used to convey insights in the early stages of communication and translation of research-to-policy pathways, grabbing the attention of target audiences to open a dialogue between academics and the relevant policy actors which work in the areas where their research might be applied.

Policy briefs are structured to support communication and use in fast-paced political and policy environments, such as the civil service, parliament, and Arm鈥檚 Length Bodies (ALBs). The content of policy briefs should be actionable - able to be productively acted upon 鈥� rather than academic in style. This means that your brief will not represent the full breadth of your research expertise or novel findings 鈥� just the aspects relevant to the policy issues at hand.

The briefs should be written in plain English (or the official language of the policy audience alongside necessary translations) with any evidence and technical language clearly explained and unpacked for policy audiences who are unlikely to be subject specialists.

Examples of Warwick University policy briefs can be found here and at the bottom of this webpage.

Do's & Don'ts

It is good practice to keep in mind the following tips before you begin writing a policy brief:

DO:

Know your audience, their interest in and knowledge of the topic, and their ability to act or make decisions relating to it
Clearly identify an issue and show why it matters now
Be concise: use short paragraphs, headings and bullet points where possible
Lead with the key message in each section
Use plain English (or the official language with translations)
Define and explain key terms and other subject-specific, technical language
Include credible evidence with correct references and unpack their relevance and implications
Provide actionable, realistic recommendations

DON'T:

Write a brief in the style of an academic paper with lengthy prose and long titles
Assume the reader has prior or in-depth knowledge of the research in your area
Use overly complex technical language without definitions and explanations
Overload the brief with hyper-specific findings and methodology discussions that do not relate to the issue or policy context
Cite too many academic materials as your own work and contributions can get lost within the maze of research being presented
Use overly emotive language: maintaining a credible, clear and evidence-led argument is key

8 Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing Your Policy Brief

Policymakers and parliamentarians are busy people, working at pace to deliver competing priorities. Correspondence with policy audiences should be clear and concise and explicitly outline the relevant issues at stake and make clear your evidence-based recommendations, so they can easily understand what the problem is, why it is important, and what to do to create change in the areas you have identified or to which your research applies.

To support compelling and actionable communication, consider preparing your policy brief with the following questions in mind:

1. What are your key messages?

What are the most important findings, insights and recommendations for the policymakers you have in mind?
In other words, what are you trying to let them know about an issue or topic, and why is it important? Why do you think they need to know?

2. What is your policy question?

Not every policy brief responds to an existing policy question, but many do. Sometimes, it is the researcher asking these questions precisely because they are trying to demonstrate the need for these topic areas to be addressed within a policy context.
Be clear with the question you are answering and the angle in which you are addressing it. In other words, what is the specific topic or question you are engaging that you would like addressed?
For example, employment-focused policy audiences may ask, 鈥�should companies mandate a four-day working week?鈥� while those concerned with AI technologies may ask, 鈥�what standard protocols should be operationalised for using artificial intelligence models in the workplace?鈥�

3. What is the policy context?

Recognising the surrounding policy context (e.g. dominant narratives of government and opposition) and the challenges your research sits within 鈥� including how the identified topic is currently addressed in policy/legislation or not 鈥� will support clear messaging and rationale for tailored recommendations.
For example, this could include current government priorities, , calls for evidence, as well as funding restrictions, and the current geopolitical climate.

4. Who is your audience?

The policy world 鈥� and the wider UK government 鈥� is very large: different levels of staff and departments hold varying levels of technical knowledge and ability to influence or implement change, working within different contexts and challenges when engaging with your work.
Who is your policy brief intended for? Have you identified the target audience and how to reach them? In other words, which policy areas, departments, or level of staff are you aiming to reach?
People commonly assume parliamentarians or MPs are the go-to for policy engagement. However, there many several different levels to policy and government, as well as non-governmental bodies, who you can successfully engage with for sustained impact.
You can distinguish between these potential audiences as influencers, decision makers and implementers 鈥� to what extent do they influence, decide upon or influence practice in the policy world?
You might consider these in the UK context: the UK parliament (650 MPs and 800+ peers); political executives (121 ministers and 10+ special advisors); civil servants (approx. 520,000); public bodies or ALBs (309 with 391,000 staff) such as the Bank of England, Network Rail, Office for National Statistics, and the British Council; devolved legislatures (e.g. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland); local councils; mayors and other strategic authorities.
But you may also consider: practitioners, such as medical professionals and teachers; businesses; and voluntary and community organisations as policy recommendation may have a direct impact on their work - plus they may be able to provide data based on their lived experience.
These groups may be well-listened to by policy makers or prioritised by Arm鈥檚 Length Bodies (ALBs - for example, ) and therefore best placed to endorse, provide evidence for, socialise in public discourse, or enact the changes you advocate, so building alliances with them may support the goals of all parties involved. For example, in 2022/2023, , demonstrating the high value placed upon it by policymakers, practitioners and the public alike.

5. What is the intended use of the brief?

How are your research findings meant to be used? What do you want the policy audience to do, within their power?
For example, does your work seek new policies or the redevelopment of existing ones? Do you flag a wider issue that needs policy attention but currently does not receive it? Do your findings plug gaps in existing policy? Do you outline clear policy recommendations and/or implications in your brief?

6. Will there be chances for partnership and collaboration?

Identify if partnership or collaboration could enhance the messaging within your policy brief.
Identify possible partners and discuss this early in the development process 鈥� you may find collaboration agreement documents useful to clarify the remit of each parties鈥� involvement. Note: This will not be applicable to everyone.
Think tanks and NGOs are professional policy advocates. Engaging with them and utilising their networks to disseminate your brief will enhance its reach and build trust and credibility.
Briefs can also be developed to equip a partner with evidence to enhance their practice.
For example, partnering with an NGO campaigning to improve access to education for women and girls could generate an evidence base for them and facilitate your policy engagement and influence, strengthening the realisation of long-term goals for both NGO and researcher.

7. Why now?

Is there, or has there been, a socio-political 鈥榤oment鈥� when this topic is significant or particularly relevant? In other words, why are we discussing this topic now? For example, submissions to calls for evidence on climate crisis and action around the COP are short-term, timely forms of policy engagement.
For example, amidst public debate around NHS practice and patient waiting times, 鈥檚 (Warwick Business School) evidence-based implementation model has optimised the application of evidence. The adoption of his model in some maternity units has helped 54% women patients being seen within 15 minutes compared to the previously reported 39%.
Crucially, sometimes your research or brief will be focused on a topic that policymakers or wider society are not sympathetic towards. This may make policy engagement and influence more challenging 鈥� but not impossible! 鈥� with long-term strategy development, including theory of change, needed to support with this.
For example, Professor Katherine Astbury鈥檚 (French Studies) research has uncovered Portchester Castle鈥檚 lost histories of prisoner of war theatre performances during its use as a French Army depot over two hundred years ago. While creative and arts sectors face severe funding cuts, Astbury鈥檚 work has reshaped performing arts education and amplified Black revolutionary histories, highlighting the significance of arts disciplines and approaches across sectors.
However, generating evidence alone does not automatically produce social acceptance or policy change. Shifting disciplinary paradigms or the boundaries of what societies consider socially, politically or morally acceptable or believable (鈥榯he Overton window鈥�) can take several years or even decades.
Consider this: Today, the idea that the Earth orbits the Sun is taken for granted. Yet, when Copernicus advanced the heliocentric model in the 16th century, it challenged centuries of accepted scientific theory and dominant religious teachings. In effect, changing people鈥檚 beliefs proved much slower than generating a growing evidence base. Decades later, practitioners such as Galileo still faced severe persecution for advocating heliocentrism! But, as we know, the tide eventually changed. What is worth noting is that they did not have impact and engagement resources to help them!

8. What is the public engagement strategy?

As readers are unlikely to stumble across a policy brief perchance, clear dissemination and engagement strategies will enable effective stakeholder engagement. How will you publicise and generate engagement with the policy brief?
Policy briefs produced with supplementary engagement activities or policy networks can increase the effectiveness and reach of engagement and potential for impact.
Examples include publishing online (e.g. LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Bluesky), public facing events (e.g. launches), blogs, and media engagement.
Co-writing a brief with an organisation or networking with similar 鈥榗hampions鈥� can also increase the reach and influence of your brief upon their dissemination!

Structuring Policy Briefs for Best Effect

While policy briefs can differ on a case-by-case basis, they are generally 2 to 3 pages in length. They tend to be structured according to the following sections for accessible and effective communication with a busy policy audience:

Title

A relevant, punchy title that clearly shows the area of contribution.

For example, 鈥�Weaving Sustainability: Scaling bioengineered materials to counter British fast fashion鈥檚 carbon footprint鈥�

Executive Summary

A short section summarising the key messages, findings, recommendations and implications.

For example, 鈥�Decarbonising the fashion industry is crucial to the UK鈥檚 mission to reach net zero by 2050. Fast fashion鈥檚 dependence upon resource-extractive production methods, synthetic materials and fossil fuels poses significant challenges to realising the UK鈥檚 climate goals. Emerging bioengineered materials, such as bamboo and spider-silk inspired fibres, offer low-emission and sustainable alternatives to current materials and practices. However, limited investment, uneven regulations, and low demand constrain the transition from pilot to large-scale production, with additionally limited UK policy focus in this area.鈥�

Introduction/Overview

A scene-setting opening which introduces the research and overarching messages, and clearly identifies a specific problem and situates the research within the policy landscape. This will help unpack the implications and recommendations that are presented in the brief.

A short context section (optional) may be beneficial to include and signpost when engaging a non-expert audience on a niche or technical topic.

For example, providing a historical overview of a significant political issue in another country to justify UK policy engagement for improving outcomes with that country鈥檚 diaspora based in the UK

As policy changes over time, briefs can be revised and re-published to reflect the changing landscape. This keeps research and briefing timely (see 鈥榳hy now?鈥� in previous section).

For example, 鈥�This policy brief evaluates the role of specific bioengineered materials in reducing carbon emissions associated with fast fashion and identifies policy recommendations to support and scale industry-wide adoption. This brief recommends 1) X% increased government expenditure on innovation funding, 2) establishing standard operating protocols for sustainable and scaled production, and 3) coordinating production with media engagement to generate public opinion and, over time, increase market demand and supply. In facilitating this, policymakers can accelerate sustainable production methods, advance environmental goals and situate the UK as a world-leading example in sustainable fashion innovation.鈥�

Research Overview/Key Findings

This section, as you would expect, is the evidence for and reasoning behind your eventual policy recommendations. The goal is to be convincing, but ensure that your analysis is balanced and defensible. Explain the findings and limitations of the research, including methodological rationale.

A 鈥榢ey findings鈥� inset can help spotlight the main facts or results with 2-3 bullet points. For example, 鈥�99% of British citizens believe [X]鈥�.

Conclusions

Authors must make clear the policy implications of the research. This is because conclusions help policy audiences to understand how to respond to the issues at hand.

The style of formatting depends upon the policy brief structure and style: conclusions are sometimes tied into research overview or findings and analysis sections; whereas, sometimes a separate conclusion section supports clarity.

Policy Recommendations

This section is essential. It is where research is translated into practical actions for policy audiences to act upon. It is not the same as the conclusion.

For example, 鈥�Citizen surveys should be built into policy design to garner public opinion and involve key community stakeholders in decision-making processes.鈥�

Below the Line Information

You may wish to collate funding details, acknowledgements, citations and suggested further reading, datasets drawn from, or disclaimers, like an endnote to avoid underemphasising the evidence-led recommendations presented earlier on.

Contact Details

Typically includes author(s) name, job title, institutional/organisational affiliation and email address.

For example, 鈥�Dr Forename Surname, Assistant Professor in Policy Studies, 91影视破解版, forename.surname@institution.ac.uk鈥�

Working Example

Including the above sections within your policy brief will support clear and targeted communication tailored to an intended audience for their use.

(SELCS) and 鈥� (SELCS) recent policy brief into SEND reforms, in collaboration with , is a good example of a policy brief recently written by Warwick researchers. See the below excerpt for real examples of best practice:

Annotations on the first two pages of Warwick researchers' policy brief

For one-to-one support with policy briefs, including drafting and review, please contact Research_Impact@warwick.ac.uk.