Revisiting the “two communities” metaphor of research utilisation

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The "two communities" metaphor for the relationship between policy and academia is inconsistent with empirical evidence that shows that a sizeable minority of public servants use academic research in their policy-related work. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the two communities metaphor by comparing the personal and professional characteristics of Australian public servants who claim to use research in their policy work with the characteristics of those who claim not to use research. Design/methodology/approach -Using data from a survey of 2,084 public servants from the state and federal levels in Australia carried out from 2011 to 2013, tests of statistical significance were conducted for the relationship between some personal and professional characteristics (e.g. gender, age, work experience) and the claim that research is used in policy-related work. Findings -The "two communities" metaphor is not an accurate description of the relationship between policy and academia. In reality, public servants who claim to use academic research in their policy work are more likely to have much in common with academics, including having postgraduate degrees and work experience in the university sector.Research limitations/implications -Rather than existing as isolated solitudes, the findings in this paper suggest that the policy and academic communities possess links that can encourage the use of research in policy making. Originality/value -The findings presented in this paper are especially important for the evidencebased policy movement, which emphasises the value of the use of research evidence in the creation of public policy.

Knowledge Brokering: Bridging the gap between academia and policy making in Australia?

“…Given that the Two Communities theory is receiving some criticism within the literature (Newman, 2014), the argument that knowledge brokering can bring together two differing communities is less convincing and in need of subtle reframing. Indeed, empirical evidence suggests that knowledge producers and knowledge users are not as separated as frequently assumed.…”

“…Indeed, empirical evidence suggests that knowledge producers and knowledge users are not as separated as frequently assumed. There is a level of common ground and sharing of similar goals (Newman, 2014), yet the institutional and cultural constraints on policy and academia are not conducive to genuine collaboration. So while knowledge brokering, or the work of knowledge brokers, and in particular organisational forms of knowledge brokering are needed, it is less to overcome entrenched differences that exist between the two groups, but more to provide the space for common goals to be developed and therefore mutual understandings to be realised and built upon.…”

“…As mentioned, despite the arguments in favour of knowledge brokering, it is well recognised in the literature that the role, scope and effectiveness of knowledge brokering, and in particular, organisational forms of knowledge brokering, are little understood (see for example Newman, 2014;Traynor et al, 2014). More specifically, the following critical elements have not been adequately addressed in the literature:…”

“…Despite the frequent acknowledgement in the literature of the potential of knowledge brokering, it is equally acknowledged that the role, scope and effectiveness of knowledge brokering, and in particular organisational forms of knowledge brokering, are little understood (Cooper, 2014;Newman, 2014;Traynor, DeCorby, & Dobbins, 2014) In light of these observations, the key question I have investigated is:…”

Connecting research and policy: how linkages support the use of research evidence in social policymaking

“…Some have drawn on the perspectives of political decision-makers and advisors, others on those in administrative roles, and a small number have captured both groups. However, as Page (2012) and Newman (2014) highlight, the roles of these groups are vastly different and this is likely to have implications for both their research needs and their 11 For example, observational methods; case evaluations of "real world applications" of a strategy to enhance research impact; or in a context of exploring linkages, the use of network analyses.…”