ACADEMIC POLICY LAB

Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Policy Making

The Academic Policy Lab is a regional platform launched by the RECAS network, designed to facilitate the integration of academic research into public policy design, implementation, and evaluation. It brings together RECAS members from across the Western Balkans, along with alumni from different fellowship programs and experts on specific policy issues as a dynamic hub dedicated to harnessing the power of multidisciplinary policy research to advance open societies, European integration, and sustainable development. By bridging academia, policy, and the corporate sector, we catalyze actionable solutions to global challenges while fostering social innovation rooted in European values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Strengthening the Research-Policy Link: We aim to increase the relevance and impact of scientific research produced in the region on public policies and development processes, reinforcing the connection between research and democratic reform.
• Bridging Academia and Policy Makers: We seek to close the gap between academia and policy makers by promoting the use of academic research in designing, implementing, and evaluating public policies.
• Fostering Policy Innovation: Our goal is to unlock policy innovation—particularly social innovation—by building a robust network of academics, policy makers, corporate sector and civil society actors across the region.
• Stimulating Societal Debate: We strive to invigorate public discussions on key policy issues by providing high-quality research and accessible information to decision-makers, media, bussines sector and civil society.

Exploring the Intersection of Academic Research and Policy Processes

We are committed to deepening our understanding of the role of academia within the broader research and innovation ecosystem. This involves not only safeguarding the prerequisites of academic autonomy but also fostering stronger, more dynamic connections between academic research and key stakeholders in the policymaking landscape. These include policymakers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and the media. By bridging these domains, we aim to enhance the societal impact of academic knowledge, ensuring that rigorous research informs evidence-based policymaking, drives innovation, and contributes to addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Strengthening these links requires new models of collaboration, institutional support for knowledge transfer, and a commitment to open dialogue between academia and public policy actors.

 

Policy-Relevant Research Repository

Each year, researchers in the Western Balkans produce valuable studies relevant to key reforms and policies, including the process of EU integration, green transition and digitalization. However, much of this research remains underutilized by policy makers, largely due to limited access and low visibility. The Academic Policy Lab addresses this by creating an online repository of policy-relevant research, making it easily accessible to decision makers, academic institutions, think tanks, and the media. Research projects as well as specific research outputs of the academic institutions from our netwotk are curated, tagged, and organized to ensure greater visibility and better uptake. Core members of the Lab also produce background papers and explainers to connect regional research and highlight its relevance to pressing policy challenges.

 

Our key target audience:

• State institutions and National Parliaments: Relevant ministries and governmental bodies, particularly those focused on policy coordination and European integration, such as the Secretariat-General of the Government in Montenegro or the Government Secretariat for Public Policies in Serbia.
• European institutions: EU delegations in the region, EU desks dealing with Western Balkans policy, and institutions like the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) in Podgorica.
• Civil society, think tanks and bussiness associations: Platforms that produce applied research and foster public debate on specific policies, such as the National Convention on the EU in North Macedonia and Serbia or Chambers of Commerce across the region.
• Corporate sector: Mobilizing corporate sector engagement through shared responsibility, transforming cutting-edge research into tools for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable societal transformation. We collaborate with forward-thinking organizations to align their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies with evidence-based policy research, ensuring measurable impact on local and global communities.
• Journalists and editors: research repository serves as both source of information on specific research and policies as well as source of information for further engaging with researchers from our network.

 

Capacity Building for Academics

 While some academics engage directly with policy makers as consultants, the majority remain disconnected from formal policy processes. Many lack a deep understanding of how the policy cycle operates—from formulation to adoption and implementation—and often struggle with translating complex research findings into actionable insights that resonate with decision makers.

To bridge this gap, we organize specialized presentations, workshops, and training sessions tailored to equip academics, particularly younger researchers, with the practical skills needed to influence policy. These sessions cover key areas such as:

• Understanding Policy Cycles: We provide academics with in-depth knowledge of the policy-making process, helping them understand the stages from policy design and consultation to implementation and evaluation. This equips researchers to align their work more effectively with the needs of policy makers.
• Effective Communication of Research: Academics learn how to present their research in clear, concise, and actionable formats that resonate with non-academic audiences, including policy makers, civil servants, and media professionals. This includes training on writing policy briefs, engaging in evidence-based advocacy, and simplifying complex data for broader consumption.
• Stakeholder Engagement: We emphasize the importance of building networks and relationships with policy makers, think tanks, indsutry and civil society organizations. Academics are trained on how to initiate and maintain these connections to maximize the relevance and impact of their research.
• Peer Learning and Best Practices: These workshops foster a collaborative environment where academics can learn from each other’s experiences. By sharing best practices and examples of successful research-to-policy engagement, participants develop a stronger understanding of what works in the region’s policy ecosystem.

Our capacity-building programs aim to empower academics to move beyond traditional consultancy roles, allowing them to proactively shape policy discussions, contribute to evidence-based decision-making, and strengthen the research-policy interface in the region.

 

Outreach Activities to Inform Public Debate

We are committed to making research more accessible and ensuring it informs public debate on critical policy issues. To achieve this, we leverage several key outreach strategies:

• Social Media Engagement: We use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to share timely, relevant research, policy briefs, and analysis. By curating content and facilitating real-time interactions between researchers, policy makers, and the public, we amplify research outcomes and make them more visible in policy debates across the region.
• Engaging Journalists: Journalists are essential in shaping public discourse. We engage them by providing research-based information and organizing media briefings. By working closely with media outlets, we ensure that academic perspectives are integrated into public narratives, enhancing the quality of reporting on key policy issues.
• Public Events and Webinars: We also organize webinars, roundtables, and public events where academics, policy makers, and civil society representatives can discuss research findings and their implications for policy development. These events offer a space for dynamic debate and knowledge exchange.

By using social media and engaging journalists, the Academic Policy Lab ensures that high-quality research reaches a broader audience, contributing to informed and impactful public discourse.