Steps

1. What is a policy brief?
   As the facilitator, you present an introduction and overview, including examples, types, components, purpose and potential impact of policy briefs.
2. Video screening: context and audience
   Introduce, screen and discuss the suggested video case study (or an alternative).
   You could ask questions such as:What is the problem?
   Who are the actors? What are their interests in the outcome?
   Who is the audience for a policy brief in this example?
   What is the desired result of a policy brief in this case?
   What evidence from research would you include in a policy brief?
3.  Speaker and case study: knowledge translation
   A guest speaker shares one or more examples of policy briefs.
   They describe their experience of distilling research findings into core evidence and arguments that are clear, yet brief enough to capture the attention of targeted decision-makers.
   Students have the opportunity to ask questions about the example/s and the process, skills and impact involved in knowledge translation.
   The group discuss strengths and limitations: How effective is a policy brief as a mechanism for knowledge transfer?
4. Activity: develop a policy brief
   The facilitator shares tips for writing a policy brief and/or screens a video with guidance.
   Individually or in a group, students outline a policy brief, based on their own research project or an assigned example
5. Concluding the session
   Students present their outlines in plenary and discuss insights and challenges.
   The facilitator notes the main points arising from the discussion and shares them after the session