Learning the art of science communication in the NDI Policy Brief Training workshop

The NDI hosted the third Policy Brief Training workshop on Sept. 1, 2021. The training was offered to the ND partners, the ND academic community, and experts representing the ND Partnerships. This year 16 participants from Russia, Finland, Austria, and Sweden attended the online training. The NDI organized the training together with Kaskas Media.

A policy brief gives a clear recommendation for policy and helps the reader decide what ought to be done to make the change happen. The key to a successful policy brief is spreading the information to the right audience, such as MPs or ministers, government officials and civil servants, local city or regional officials etc.

The morning session focused on science communication in general. Professor Riitta Kosonen from the NDI explained why policy briefs are important to the NDI, and what writing a policy brief gives to the researchers. Research Expert Päivi Karhunen showed how to recognise a good policy brief. The attendees had a chance to hear Anastasia Emelyanova’s (Postdoctoral Researcher, Thule Institute, University of Oulu) experiences on writing her two previous policy briefs. She shared some of the challenges too, such as avoiding specific details or complicated terminology.

In the afternoon, the participants had the chance to practice writing policy briefs by creating a quick concept. Each plan was introduced to a small group and received immediate feedback.

After the training, the participants will continue writing their policy brief drafts as homework and receive individual feedback from the NDI and Kaskas Media experts. In the coming months, the NDI will publish all the new Policy Briefs that were written as a part of the training.