ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors reflect upon the institutional challenges and professional benefits they have encountered as a consequence of their data-focused policy work and research for, and engagements with, the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Both authors have extensive experience working with OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM). Drawing from this experience, they set out three ways in which data-focused policy work often finds itself marginalized in relation to more ‘typical’ academic research, and contrast these with what they identify as five benefits arising from hands-on applied research. They wrap up their discussion by suggesting steps that can be taken to move toward more fully recognizing the value and merit of such scholarly endeavors.
