Researchers and communicators had the opportunity to pitch policy recommendations to a panel during the recent Landscapes for People, Food and Nature in Africa Conference and they received harsh but constructive feedback.

The policy-makers on the panel appealed to those presenting to deliver one single strong message with clear, actionable recommendations, to provide a human angle and connect their initiative to the broader goals of the policy maker.

Alex Awiti, Director of the East African Institute of Aga Khan University, said scientists must be able to place their research recommendations in the context of bigger societal concerns. They need to create policy recommendations in election-cycle sound bytes.

“If you can’t explain your science to a policymaker, you aren’t going to do any science that’s going to make any difference to anyone,” said Awiti.

Susan MacMillan, who leads awareness and advocacy communications at the International Livestock Research Institute added, “If you want to get on a policy maker’s radar, you should be able to say what you have to say in 2 minutes.”

Dubbed the ‘Dragon’s Den’, the side event was hosted by CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), ILRI, World Agroforestry Centre and EcoAgriculture Partners.

Read the full story: Policy Pitching to the Dragon’s Den

See also: Realpolitik–Nairobi ‘Community of Practice’ communicators get real practice impacting policymakers

The Guardian: Top 20 Things Scientists Need to Know about Policy-Making