ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the idea of the knowledge intermediary systematising the results of academic and other research to present as evidence for policy-makers. It also refers to the example of the Centre for Neighbourhood Research as an academic grouping which had a knowledge intermediary role as a way of reflecting on these wider currents in knowledge production and dissemination. The evidence-based policy initiative in many senses conflicts with the pragmatic what works agenda. The idea of social science evidence as an accurate measurement of the problem and as in some value-free way informing policy deliberations is at odds with pragmatism in its deeper philosophical idea of knowledge as action tested in pluralist communication for its validity. The chapter focuses on the evidence base through contract research as a key input to policy has the potential to open up discussion of the policy but there are also implicit pressures that close it down.
