Advancing knowledge brokerage for public policy in Maynooth University

This paper is a reflection on the process of extended engagement undertaken by the authors in Maynooth University aimed at unlocking the potential of research to inform policy-making in Ireland. It describes and reviews the diverse range of engagement and supporting activities that the authors undertook in Maynooth University and with other universities, government departments and agencies, and other partner organisations.

The programme of work has been and continues to be exploratory in nature and any insights are preliminary and tentative. That said, the extensive record of engagement undertaken, does lend support to three general observations. Firstly, knowledge brokering is a complex social and relational process that linear accounts fail to comprehend. Secondly, because knowledge brokering involves interactions between individual researchers and policymakers, and because many different organisations are involved (including universities, research funders, government departments and agencies), systems thinking can help in understanding and shaping knowledge brokering structures and supports. One final thought is that any productive learning from the engagement described here, was only possible because the various interactions were underpinned by conscious efforts to establish trust, mutual understanding and a respect for diversity of perspectives. Such an inclusive approach may be well worth reflecting on when seeking to formalise and systematise knowledge brokering activity at scale.

This work is ongoing at Maynooth University, and together with the Knowledge Brokerage research project that is now underway, promises a more integrated and holistic understanding of knowledge brokering for policy in Ireland.