ABSTRACT
Leadership has always been a key driver in bringing about change. Translating research into policy requires ideas to emerge by bringing them into reality. In order to have a chance to become actual policy, an issue or idea must reach the top of the policy agenda, something that occurs neither automatically nor easily. Securing funding for research is becoming increasingly central to successful academic careers. Dissemination may give visibility to a research outcome, but it cannot guarantee impact on policy and practice. The media portrayal of issues often influences how they are understood by the public and government and whether or not action is taken on the issue. Media campaigns promote ideas by considering what research evidence one is working with and the message it communicates. Advocacy is normally about persuasion and influencing people for change whereas lobbying is about a case for political change and is usually directed at politicians.
