Bridging the gap: How to connect social research with the public and policymakers
Summary
This webinar will explore how insights from social research can better reach and benefit both the public and policymakers. Social research often produces valuable knowledge, but it can remain locked within academic or technical circles. We will discuss why making research accessible matters for everyday life and policy, the risks of not doing so, and practical ways to communicate findings clearly. Case examples will show how complex studies can be translated into stories, visuals, and policy briefs that resonate with different audiences.
Description
After completing this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explain why bridging research and the public is crucial for evidence-informed debate and policymaking.
- Recognise effective strategies for translating academic findings into clear, engaging formats.
- Reflect on their own role in promoting knowledge exchange.
About the speakers
Dr Ruxandra Comănaru is a research fellow at the European Social Survey HQ based at City St George’s, University of London. She is primarily working on the Make it Green pillar within the Infra4NextGen project, as well as coordinating the collaboration between the other strands of the project. Ruxandra’s research interests include the design and adaptation of surveys for mixed modes of data collection, with a focus on enhancing the methodological accuracy of self-completion methods. She is also interested in questionnaire design, translation and cultural equivalence of research concepts.
Dr David Consolazio is Assistant Professor at the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan. Within the Infra4NextGen project, he works mainly on the Make it Digital and Make it Healthy pillars. David’s research interests lie at the intersection of sociology, epidemiology, and urban studies, focusing on the interplay of individual and contextual-level factors in shaping health and social outcomes, with particular attention on the social determinants of health and residential segregation phenomena.
Dr Yuliya Kazakova is a research fellow for GGP based at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI KNAW). Her work centres on the Make it Equal and Make it Strong pillars in the Infra4NextGen project. This involves close collaboration with leading European academics, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre experts, and the Youth Board to engage young Europeans in data-driven discussion on key issues for future generations. Yuliya’s research interests lie in the field of health economics together with the evaluation of public policies with a particular focus on childhood health, childhood poverty and maternal employment.