These 3 modules are intended to help public health students & practicing professionals hone their writing & communication skills to effectively “translate” scientific evidence into public health policy & practice. The modules include video tutorials & interactive exercises.
Module 1 – Translating Public Health Research for use in Policy & Practice
This module addresses the importance of translating research for public health policy & practice, the factors that make this kind of communication difficult & ways to do it more effectively.
- Audio Lecture: “Communicating Science: Translating Public Health Research for Policy & Practice”
- Slides: “Communicating Science: Translating Public Health Research for Policy & Practice” (pdf)
- Transcript: “Communicating Science: Translating Public Health Research for Policy & Practice” (pdf)
- Works Cited: “Communicating Science: Translating Public Health Research for Policy & Practice” (pdf)
Module 2 – Writing Policy Briefs
This module provides guidance & tools for writing policy briefs that engage stakeholders & convey the implications of scientific evidence for policy & practice. Writing effective policy, issue & research briefs requires a specific set of communication skills. This module is intended to help public health students & practicing professionals to:
– understand the basic elements of a policy brief,
– identify the information needs of different audiences,
– synthesize data to convey policy implications,
– craft concise language &
– organize information effectively.
- Audio Lecture: “The Art & Craft of Policy Briefs: Translating Science & Engaging Stakeholders”
- Transforming a Not-So-Good Policy Brief into a Better Policy Brief
- A Not-So-Good Policy Brief (pdf)
- A Better Policy Brief (pdf)
- Exercise: “Translating a Research Article into a Policy Brief” (pdf)
- Exercise: “Beginning Your Policy Brief” (pdf)
- Exercise: “Outlining Policy Brief Content” (pdf)
- Policy Brief Checklist (pdf)
Module 3 – Writing Briefing Memos
This module provides guidance on writing effective briefing memos. Like policy briefs, briefing memos inform decision-making by providing background, breaking down a complex problem & identifying the implications of new information. This module is intended to help public health students & practicing professionals to craft effective briefing memos by:
– clarifying the aim,
– understanding the context,
– presenting a logical sequence of information,
– using clear visual cues &
– streamlining text.
- Video Lecture: “Writing Briefing Memos”
- Structuring a Memo to Summarize Research Findings (pdf)
- Briefing Memo Checklist (pdf)