ABSTRACT
This chapter explores key points of learning to try and help those who are informing and influencing policy to make an impact. Public policy is a study in imperfection. Institutional culture is incredibly important when trying to inform and influence policy. The introduction of impact case studies in the Research Excellence Framework has also brought greater appreciation of the value of this kind of work, and there are numerous teams and research centres around the country dedicated to researching the policymaking process, including several specialising in higher education policy. Behavioural economics and behavioural science can be ver y useful tools for demonstrating impact. Informing and influencing policy is an imperfect science. They can lead to better outcomes, for less money, than more conventional policy tools. The importance of informing and influencing policy has always been grounded in the role of universities to support the public good.
