Policy Impact is one pathway to research translation that is part of the evaluation activities used to understand how and where this happens. BU CTSI evaluators use the Overton Policy Platform to monitor and evaluate to what extent BU CTSI-funded publications of biomedical investigators have impact on policy—citations and mentions in government and international organization reports regarding changes to clinical guidelines, regulations and legislation and use of technologies in delivery of improving public health services informed by research findings and testimony. Using forward mapping, the evaluators start with the publication of research findings from individual investigators and work forward to analyze its translation to policy. Whether and how this happens is affected by disciplinary behaviors where some research lends itself to direct policy impact (scientific review leads to changes in clinical guidelines) and indirect process of changed perceptions and understandings around a policy issue. It is also affected in the way investigators effectively use science dissemination strategies to advance their research findings with scientific and lay communities.

Evaluators provide analysis services for individual investigators and teams to examine policy impact with their non-BU CTSI-funded publications. The intent is to foster thinking and dialogue across investigators in different disciplines as to what evidence counts as translation to policy and what science dissemination strategies are being used to increase visibility and uptake of research findings.

If you would like discussing, doing an analysis or arranging for a presentation to learn more, please contact Kayla Kuhfeldt, MPH, Assistant Director for Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement (kaylakuh@bu.edu)