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Welcome to PHAIWA’s new online knowledge translation course – Pathway to Policy.

Let’s start with an example of what we are talking about.

There’s no doubt that obesity has received considerable political attention over the past decade – yet data is consistently showing that, as a nation, we are losing the battle to reduce the proportion of our population who are overweight or obese.

So how do we translate the data and research findings into policy interventions? What is the secret to ensuring that data and research findings inform population wide policies such as reducing fast food outlet density, banning fast food sponsorship in sport, introducing kilojoule labelling on menus in quick service food outlets or implementing a sugar tax?

Researchers and practitioners want to see their research inform government and other agency decision making, but it is not always clear to them how evidence is used in policy decisions in a highly politicised environment where there are many competing demands. With a large number of competing, worthy, evidence based causes – no matter how effective the research or project – the government or policy makers may not act on it.

Turning research and project findings into guidelines for policymakers is currently done in an ad hoc, piecemeal fashion. This Pathway to Policy program will offer skills to researchers and practitioners to better enable research and project findings to effectively reach government or policy makers.

This course is made up of five self-paced modules. Each module includes videos, reading, hints, case studies, activities and further readings to do at your leisure. Unless directed to do so, you do not need to submit the activities to PHAIWA. These are for your benefit, but your experience and learning will be enhanced by doing them.

PHAIWA will be here to support your learning – just email us anytime PHAIWA@curtin.edu.au 

At the end of Module 5 we will let you know where to next. For some participants this may be enough to sow the seed to get you thinking about how to get your research into policy. For others, you may be ready to move on to gain some practical insights into informing policy. Phase 2 will help take you there, but places are limited. To ensure you your best chance of securing a place in Phase 2, we recommend full engagement in Phase 1.

Good luck, and most importantly – enjoy!