MPG Participates in the Launch of the Migration to Research Policy Co-Lab

On 25 September 2024, MPG took part in the launch event of the Migration to Research Policy Co-Lab, a project spearheaded by the INNOVATE Consortium. This initiative is part of a Horizon Europe-funded coordination project, with MPG being one of the 12 consortium partners.

About the Migration to Research Policy Co-Lab

The project’s core mission is to enhance collaboration between migration research and policy. It aims to bring together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to develop innovative solutions to pressing migration challenges. The project is set to run for three years and will focus on five key pillars:

1. Research Exchange

The Research Exchange will highlight all migration research projects funded by Horizon Europe. Other research initiatives with significant stakeholder engagement, funding, and proven impact will also be included.

2. Engagement Hub

The Engagement Hub will offer tips and techniques to maximize the impact of research. It will be open to submissions showcasing good practices and experiences in collaborating and communicating with policymakers. As part of this initiative, MPG is developing a Toolkit to consolidate the best practices from project partners.

3. Behavioral Insights

The project will apply principles from psychology, economics, sociology, and neuroscience to understand how individuals process and respond to new information. This will be instrumental in refining research communication strategies and strengthening partnerships.

4. Training

A project training facility will offer executive courses and open-access modules to improve collaboration between migration research and policy. The first training session, “Building Effective Engagement Between Research, Policy, and Practice: A Strategic Approach to Impactful Migration Research”, is scheduled for March 3-4, 2025. This free training will address the challenges of engaging with non-academic stakeholders, empowering participants to enhance the impact of their work. Registration is open.

5. Innovation Pilots

The project has identified seven active innovation pilots, known as Process Innovation Actions (PIAs), designed to bridge the gap between migration research and policy. Each pilot focuses on a specific migration issue, involves a wide range of partners, and tests different approaches to collaboration for meaningful change.

Project Launch Webinar

At the start of the launch event, participants were asked about the current influence of migration research on policy. The majority indicated that there is only limited influence, reaffirming the need for initiatives like this and for improving researchers’ skills in disseminating and communicating their findings to policymakers.

The webinar’s panelists discussed the challenges of sharing migration research with policymakers, offering insights into best practices for improving communication. Key recommendations included:

• Building trust and direct connections with policymakers is often more effective than solely relying on written reports.
• Researchers should consider the various factors influencing policymakers.
• It’s crucial to incorporate diverse perspectives and tailor research to align with policymakers’ portfolios.
• Timing is everything—delivering research findings at the right moment can significantly enhance impact.
• Messages should be tailored to policymakers’ specific needs, avoiding generalisations and information overload, especially in initial communications. Executive summaries and actionable recommendations are essential.
• Engaging with policymakers early, making connections, and collaborating with other stakeholders can boost the chances of success.
• Presenting research in a holistic manner, addressing legal, administrative, and other levels beyond just the primary research, can enhance its effectiveness.
• Collating relevant research and approaching policymakers at the most opportune moment is critical for ensuring relevance.
• Dedicating resources (both staff and time) to communication and dissemination efforts is key.
• Multiple, interactive communication channels such as webinars, trainings, and workshops should be utilised.
• Data visualization techniques, such as graphs, dashboards, and interactive formats, can make research findings more digestible.

This event marked an important step towards strengthening the connection between migration research and policy, setting the stage for impactful collaborations over the next three years.