Networking, Nerve & A Little Bit of Nudge: A path toward policy impact

Posted on Wednesday 14 January 2026

Policy impact work is rarely linear, and almost never predictable. Academics often imagine that shaping policy follows a clear sequence of steps, but in reality, it is iterative, uncertain, and often influenced by timing and opportunity. This is especially true in areas such as family-friendly policy, where my work takes place.

When I first set out to share my research with government and, honestly, with anyone who could use it, I had no existing contacts, no pipeline into policymaking, and no roadmap for getting started. Many colleagues assume you need at least one connection to break into this space. This is true but I didn’t even have that. What I learned is that impactful policy engagement is possible without an established network, but it requires persistence, strategy, and a willingness to navigate ambiguity. With this in mind, I thought it important to highlight two key areas that I found to be key when undertaking policy engagement, namely the willingness to connect and being entrepreneurial.

Just remember: An interested audience for your research exists

One of the most valuable skills in policy-engaged research is the willingness to connect. Effective policy influence rarely happens through a single relationship; it develops through a constellation of interactions with people across sectors. This begins with acknowledging your own position: you do not need to be a recognised expert or have existing contacts to start building relationships. Identifying who you need to reach, being willing to introduce yourself, and taking small risks, such as sending that email, approaching that speaker, or starting that conversation, are all part of becoming visible in the policy landscape. That visibility matters. For me, this involved reaching out to my university’s Business Engagement office and I got two contacts and of those, one helped me break into the space.

Importantly, networks build networks. Every conversation is an opportunity to ask, “Is there someone else you think I should speak to?” or “Do you know who leads on this area?” Many people are generous with introductions if you ask clearly and specifically. This is where social capital begins to accumulate: each connection expands your access to people, information, and opportunities you would not have encountered alone.

Policy engagement can also require navigating several networking spheres at once, political, business, and financial. MPs, civil servants, NGOs, funders and industry leaders all hold different levers of influence. Attending their events, participating in roundtables, and showing up consistently helps you build recognition and trust over time. This approach has strengthened my work, as events often allow me to deepen existing relationships and forge new ones through increased visibility.

Finally, meaningful alliances grow through generosity and openness. Sharing resources, insights, and even mistakes demonstrate credibility and candour. Supporting others’ initiatives, amplifying their work, and offering help without expecting immediate returns fosters reciprocal relationships. Offer support and time and this will be returned in kind. In policy work, collaboration, not competition, is what sustains long-term impact.

Picture: Sarah in 2023 at the Working Dads Employer Awards 2023, an initiative developed the awards to celebrate organisations that recognise and promote the role of fathers in driving gender equality in the workplace.  

Just remember: Before you can act on opportunities, you have to find them

Building on the importance of openness and connection, impactful policy engagement also requires an entrepreneurial tendency, a way of working that helps academics move beyond passive networking into active influence. This begins with spotting opportunities. Much of policy work emerges from identifying moments where your expertise aligns with an emerging policy need. My ability to contribute my survey methodology and family-friendly policy expertise to the UK Government’s Parental Rights Survey was not luck but the result of asking to be involved when the topic was mentioned in a meeting.

Entrepreneurial engagement also involves innovativeness: creating new platforms, approaches or resources when existing ones do not yet exist. My co-founding the Working Dads Employer Awards illustrates this well. Rather than waiting for a mechanism to highlight good practice, we designed one. This not only filled a gap in the national conversation but positioned our research at the centre of employer engagement and policy development.

Finally, alongside innovation sits risk-taking. Policy-facing activities rarely come with certainty. Launching the Working Dads Employer Awards meant investing time, energy and reputation without knowing whether employers would participate or whether policymakers would take notice. But risk is often what enables impact. It involves trialling something new and seeing if it can open doors that more cautious approaches never reach.

Meaningful policy influence doesn’t come from certainty; it comes from openness and the willingness to try. By building networks, creating opportunities, and stepping into policy conversations early, you position your research where it can make a difference. Stay bold, stay generous, and keep moving toward the place where evidence meets impact. That’s where your work becomes transformative.