Policymakers Lab

Many pursue a career in public service not for the money, but to better serve the public. It is becoming increasingly accepted that evidence-informed policymaking can support these aims. However, in high-stakes, high-pressure, time-sensitive situations, it can be difficult to effectively navigate and apply research evidence.

Elizabeth Bell and I surveyed senior US policymakers, who report that ‘‘uncertainty about how to turn evidence into action’’ and ‘‘difficulty interpreting the implications of evidence-based recommendations’’ were the most common impediments to the use of evidence in programmatic decision-making (Toma and Bell, 2024). Fortunately, research suggests that translating evidence into effective policy can be done.

We conducted an experiment to understand how decision-makers’ assessments of the value of policy programs are affected by research evidence about the program’s impact. The experiment finds that relatively simple decision-aids can increase policymakers’ sensitivity to the scope, persistence, and target of outcomes. For example, presenting side-by-side comparisons of program information led to a 79% increase in policymakers’ responsiveness to the societal impact of the programs. This points to the value of using benchmark or comparison information whenever possible as well as to making similar decisions together (for instance on the same day) rather than in isolation.

This is the type of research that is explored through the University of Warwick’s Policymakers Lab. By bringing together methods from economics and psychology to bridge the gap between policymakers and academics, we work with public servants and politicians around the world to generate directly-applicable insights relevant to policy decision-making, and answer questions like:

1. How can we effectively communicate research evidence to policymakers?

2. What types of academic research are policymakers most interested in?

3. What tools can help with difficult policy decisions and the use of evidence in policymaking?

With this mission in mind, if you are a policymaker or politician (broadly construed!), we are calling for you to join our lab. In exchange for completing short surveys developed by academics, you will receive early access to research results, toolkits, and regular summaries of key insights from the Lab, along with small incentives and donation opportunities as a token of our appreciation.

Importantly, we take your time and privacy seriously. Your information is secure, your responses are confidential, and you will only be contacted when we believe you input will make a difference.

Would you like to join the Policymakers Lab? If so, signing up is easy – follow this link to complete a short onboarding survey.