Science policy trust deficit

The following two statements – that I have heard repeatedly – are both simultaneously true. The first by capable researchers who argue that those in the policy circles have no interest in their work. The second, by those in the policy sector, that too often researchers in the country are focused on publishing but are seldom interested in translating their findings into actual action on the ground.

First, let me clarify one thing. When I speak of the first group (i.e. researchers), I mean a subset of researchers who do actual, original work with a strong sense of ethics, honesty and decency. There are unfortunately plenty of hyperactive researchers, often in fairly high positions all across the country, who are simply gaming the system by plagiarising, or publishing nonsense, sometimes at the rate of hundreds of papers a year. They are benefitting from the ill-conceived policies that provide substantial material benefit for publishing, even if it their product is dubious and fraudulent. I am not talking about these individuals. I am talking about those who think, reflect, analyse and care about the quality of their work.

Second, my argument today is limited to policy informed by research in basic sciences, engineering and public health.

The researchers often complain – and there is some merit to their argument – that there is no interest from the public sector (i.e. from the local, provincial or federal government) in the findings of their work. That they have never been asked to serve on national policy panels, and that the national bureaucratic framework has no room for integrating research in future projects or policy. There is also a legitimate concern that research translation is expensive and the national budget for research has all but evaporated.

I used to be firmly in the camp of researchers – and I still believe that many of their arguments carry weight. That said, over the last few years, as I have had the opportunity to work with colleagues in a number of ministries, I have found that the reality is more complicated. While it is indeed true that many people in the bureaucratic machinery have little interest in research, it is not true that everyone in the policy circles is averse to new findings or new insight. Quite the contrary actually, as there is often a demand in the policy circles for contextual evidence and research. There is a feeling among a number of policymakers that research-active faculty focus their work exclusively to get published and are not really interested in engaging in the slow and halting work of local policy design and implementation. This statement – in my experience – is also true. This is in part due to the incentive structure (in STEM disciplines) at universities where engaging with policymakers is rarely rewarded, and where promotion is largely based on the number of publications in highly regarded journals. Then there is also the trust deficit among researchers about policymakers that is further exacerbated by inflammatory political rhetoric.

It is not hard to imagine that the net result of this engagement is a loss for everyone. But it does not have to be so. Small steps can start to build much-needed trust. Having an office of government engagement at universities can help write small policy briefs based on research that can inform the policy makers. Some institutions have done this successfully but so much more needs to be done. On the other side, having government funded opportunities for research-active faculty (and not just those with the right political connections) to be embedded in ministries for short fellowships will build both trust and create a common language of understanding. Finally, universities need to create an incentive structure where meaningful engagement with the public sector is viewed favorably for career development.

These ideas are neither new nor bold – but they have been shown to work in countries across the global geographic, political and economic spectrum. We do not need to reinvent the wheel, we just need to know how to use one.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.