Engaging public policy with psychological science

2021

Authors: Jaclyn Siegel, Melanie Arenson, Alyssa Mikytuck, Jennifer Woolard
Published in: Translational Issues in Psychological Science 7(1), 1-8
Publisher: Educational Publishing Foundation
Affiliation: Georgetown University Department of Psychology

Summary

Psychological science has much to contribute to public policy, yet the translation from research to policy implementation often faces significant barriers. This article examines strategies for effectively engaging psychological science with policy development and implementation. We discuss the importance of building relationships between researchers and policymakers, communicating research findings in accessible formats, and timing research contributions to align with policy windows. The article highlights successful examples of psychology-policy integration, including the use of developmentally appropriate assessment tools in early childhood policy initiatives. We emphasize the need for psychologists to consider policy implications during research design and to actively participate in policy conversations. The paper also addresses challenges such as the mismatch between research timelines and policy needs, and provides recommendations for training the next generation of policy-engaged psychological scientists.

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Relevance

Policy & Accountability

Keywords

Public policy

Psychological science

Policy implementation

Research translation

Evidence-based policy

Policy engagement

Research-policy interface

Applied psychology

Publication details

Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-8
Correspondence: Jennifer Woolard: Georgetown University

Citation

Jaclyn Siegel, Melanie Arenson, Alyssa Mikytuck, Jennifer Woolard (2021). Engaging public policy with psychological science.Translational Issues in Psychological Science 7(1), 1-8 https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000284