About this session

Friday, 4:40 PM - 6:10 PM

Advancing the Research to Policy Pipeline: Building Effective Bridges for Actionable Children’s Policy

Advancing the Research to Policy Pipeline: Building Effective Bridges for Actionable Children’s Policy, is designed to examine the challenges and opportunities in translating child development research into effective policy action. Drawing on our panelists’ expertise in early childhood development and social policy, this session aligns with Society for Research in Child Development’s Strategic Goal #2, which aims to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy to positively impact child development outcomes. Our discussion will concentrate on real-world strategies for improving the research-to-policy continuum, with an emphasis on equity, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable policy change.
Our panelists include:
1. Margaret Bridges, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley,
2. Katy Chapman, Ph.D., of the University of Florida, and
3. Rebekah Levine Coley, Ph.D., of Boston College.
4. Albert Wat, Alliance for Early Success
The panelists will discuss strategies to better connect academic research with policy development to ensure that research findings inform policies that lead to improved outcomes for children and families, particularly those from underserved communities, and strategies for enhancing advocacy and policy development of scholars and practitioners.
Session Objectives:
1. Identify barriers and challenges that impede the research-to-policy pipeline and explore solutions that can facilitate a more direct and effective translation of research into policy and practice.
2. Examine how child development research can be used to advance more equitable policies, with an emphasis on underrepresented communities.
3. Discuss methods for fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to ensure evidence-based policies are actionable and sustainable for policymakers.
4. Explore innovative dissemination strategies that make research more accessible for policymakers and advocates.
5. Highlight efforts to grow a network of institutions of higher education preparing the next generation of leaders in children’s policy.
Discussion Topics and Questions:
1. The Disconnect Between Research and Policy
Despite substantial advancements in child development research, translating these findings into meaningful policy changes remains a significant challenge.
● What are the most significant obstacles preventing research from directly influencing child development and social policies?
● How can the academic community more effectively engage with policymakers to ensure their research informs decision-making?
Katy Chapman will speak about her experience in bridging these gaps during her time at the U.S. Department of Education where she interpreted research so that the Senior Advisor for Early Learning could develop relevant and applicable policy.
2. Research Translation for Policy Audiences
An often-cited barrier to research uptake by policymakers is the technical nature of academic research. This discussion will focus on how to translate complex research findings into actionable recommendations that are more easily digestible.
● What are effective strategies for simplifying research findings without losing integrity?
● How can researchers ensure their work is accessible to a non-academic audience, particularly policymakers?
Rebekah Levine Coley will share examples from her work on research translation, focusing on how to package research in ways that target federal and state-level policy makers and advocates.
3. Centering Equity in Research-to-Policy Efforts
This discussion will focus on how research can be harnessed to create policies that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities.
● How can researchers ensure that their work reflects the diverse experiences of children and families, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds?
● What role should researchers play in advocating for policies that address systemic inequities in early childhood education?
Margaret Bridges will explore her work at UC Berkeley on the importance of using data to highlight disparities in early learning environments and ensuring that research promotes more equitable systems of early childhood education and care.
4. Collaboration Across Sectors
Bridging the research-policy gap requires collaboration across sectors, including academia, government, and community organizations. This topic will explore the dynamics of multi-sector collaboration.
● What are some successful examples of partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners?
● What can researchers do to initiate and sustain productive relationships with policymakers and community stakeholders?
Katy Chapman will highlight her work with state policymakers in Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Education. She will speak to her experience working across sectors within those roles and share how collaboration between universities, state governments and local practitioners can yield policy frameworks that are evidence-based and responsive to community needs.

5. The Role of Advocacy and Policy Implementation
A great challenge in the research-to-policy pipeline is ensuring that research both informs policy and results in real, lasting change through effective advocacy and implementation. This discussion will explore how research findings can be leveraged through advocacy to shape actionable and sustainable children’s policies.
● How can advocacy groups use research to influence policymakers and drive legislative change?
● What are some successful examples of children’s policy reforms where research and advocacy have converged to form lasting impacts?
● How can researchers better partner with advocacy organizations to ensure that policies are implemented effectively and equitably?

Albert Wat will provide insights from his experience working at the intersection of research, advocacy, and policy implementation, focusing on real-world strategies for translating research into policy actions and legislative success.

6. Ensuring Policy Impact and Sustainability
Beyond influencing policy, it is crucial to ensure that research-informed policies are sustainable and have long-term impact.
● How can researchers evaluate the effectiveness of policies that were shaped by research? Why is this important?
● What strategies can be used to ensure that evidence-based policies remain in place despite changes in political leadership or public opinion?
All four panelists will share their experiences working on policy evaluation projects and discuss strategies for maintaining policy momentum over time.
Conclusion
This conversation roundtable aims to offer an in-depth exploration of the challenges and opportunities in advancing the research-to-policy pipeline in education. By drawing on the expertise of our panelists and the lived experiences of the attendees, we hope to foster a dialogue that identifies the obstacles that impede policy impact and proposes tangible solutions for bridging the research-policy divide.
By emphasizing collaborative, equity-focused strategies, this session will offer attendees practical insights into how to advance child development research into policies that have a lasting impact. This session will engage participants in a discussion that is both timely and essential to the future of early care and education.

Advancing the Research to Policy Pipeline: Building Effective Bridges for Actionable Children’s Policy addresses the critical need for stronger connections between research, advocacy, and policy development to improve outcomes for children and families, particularly those from underserved communities. Child development research consistently yields valuable insights into how children learn and develop, yet these findings often fail to reach policymakers or inform substantial policy reforms. This session brings together leading researchers and an advocacy expert to explore the practical steps needed to overcome the barriers to translating research into effective policy action and will be moderated by Dr. Gail Joseph.
By focusing on real-world case studies, multi-sector collaborations, and innovative dissemination strategies, this discussion will provide a platform to examine how evidence-based research can directly inform policies that lead to equitable and sustainable outcomes for children and families, especially those of underserved communities. With insights from researchers Margaret Bridges, Katy Chapman, and Rebekah Levine Coley, and the advocacy perspectives from Albert Wat of the Alliance for Early Success, the session will not only identify the obstacles that impede this process but also offer actionable solutions.
This roundtable aligns closely with SRCD’s Strategic Goal #2 by highlighting how the integration of research, practice, and policy can drive meaningful change for children. The outcomes of this discussion will be valuable to researchers, policymakers, practitioners and advocates committed to building an effective and equitable children’s policy landscape. Advancing the Research to Policy Pipeline: Building Effective Bridges for Actionable Children’s Policy addresses the critical need for stronger connections between research, advocacy, and policy development to improve outcomes for children and families, particularly those from underserved communities. Child development research consistently yields valuable insights into how children learn and develop, yet these findings often fail to reach policymakers or inform substantial policy reforms. This session brings together leading researchers and an advocacy expert to explore the practical steps needed to overcome the barriers to translating research into effective policy action and will be moderated by Dr. Gail Joseph.
By focusing on real-world case studies, multi-sector collaborations, and innovative dissemination strategies, this discussion will provide a platform to examine how evidence-based research can directly inform policies that lead to equitable and sustainable outcomes for children and families, especially those of underserved communities. With insights from researchers Margaret Bridges, Katy Chapman, and Rebekah Levine Coley, and the advocacy perspectives from Albert Wat of the Alliance for Early Success, the session will not only identify the obstacles that impede this process but also offer actionable solutions.
This roundtable aligns closely with SRCD’s Strategic Goal #2 by highlighting how the integration of research, practice, and policy can drive meaningful change for children. The outcomes of this discussion will be valuable to researchers, policymakers, practitioners and advocates committed to building an effective and equitable children’s policy landscape.

Session moderator
Gail Joseph, Ph.D., University of Washington, United States

Panelists
Dr. Margaret Bridges, Ph.D., University of California - Berkeley , United States
Rebekah Levine Coley, Ph.D., Boston College , United States
Albert Wat, Alliance for Early Success , United States
Dr. Kathryn Chapman, Ph.D., University of Florida , U.S.A.

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